Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang treated diners to a $1,800 feast at a Seoul fried-chicken restaurant following major AI deals with South Korean tech giants, highlighting a cultural moment and underscoring the company’s soaring market value.
Huang, in Seoul for the Asia-Pacific Economic cooperation (APEC) CEO summit, stopped by a local restaurant and purchased dinner for all patrons after enjoying chimaek – Korean fried chicken and beer – with Samsung and Hyundai executives. The impromptu gesture came after Nvidia announced it will supply over 260,000 advanced graphics processing units to bolster South Korea’s artificial intelligence capabilities across sectors like semiconductors and robotics. Huang reportedly proclaimed, “This is the best way to enjoy chimaek,” as he left, ringing a golden bell to cover the tab, according to The New York Times.
The dinner and accompanying business deals arrive at a pivotal moment for both Nvidia and South Korea. Nvidia recently became the first company in history to reach a $5 trillion market capitalization, and the new chip supply agreement signifies a deepening partnership with key players in the global technology landscape. The influx of Nvidia’s technology is expected to substantially advance South Korea’s AI infrastructure, positioning the nation as a leader in the rapidly evolving field. Huang capped the evening with a signed note to his South Korean counterparts, stating, “To our partnership and the future of the world.”
