At Kkanbu Chicken in Seoul, a Rare Gathering with Samsung and Hyundai Leaders
An Unusual Dinner with Citizens as He Shouts, "Dinner is Free"
Discussing Cooperation in AI, Semiconductors, and Mobility
"We Will Shape the Future Together"
Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee (left), Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung, and NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang are having a "chimaek" gathering at a chicken restaurant in Samseong-dong, Seoul on the evening of the 30th. 2025.10.30 Photo by Jo Yongjun
"Everybody, dinner is free!"
On the evening of October 30, at 'Kkanbu Chicken,' a chicken restaurant in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang shouted, "I will buy dinner for everyone here!" Sitting across from him at the same table were Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung. Although it was a simple table set with beer and chicken, leading figures at the center of the global semiconductor and mobility industries had gathered together. The citizens in the restaurant cheered.
CEO Huang arrived at Incheon International Airport around 3 p.m. that day and reached the "chimaek" gathering venue at about 7:20 p.m. Before entering the chicken restaurant, Jensen Huang had a brief Q&A session with reporters.
He said, "I am really looking forward to meeting the President of Korea at the APEC summit tomorrow," and added, "NVIDIA is preparing several announcements in Korea and will unveil projects we are working on with excellent partners." He continued, "I promised to let the President announce them first," and said, "Tomorrow, I will share some really exciting news and various projects we are working on with you all."
He also made a lighthearted joke. CEO Huang said, "Chimaek! Do you know what 'Kkanbu' means? It's something very good. It's good for your health, right? I really like chicken and I also like beer. Chicken and beer with friends is the best. That's why 'Kkanbu' is the perfect place," he said with a laugh.
When asked, "We heard that President Trump and President Xi Jinping did not discuss Blackwell," he replied, "I am sure the two presidents had a very good conversation. It does not necessarily have to be a topic related to our business (NVIDIA's business)," and added, "The United States and China each have their own major projects and important agendas, and I am glad they had a good conversation."
He also mentioned, "There was also discussion about HBM (high-bandwidth memory) with Samsung," and said, "I just arrived a few hours ago, but there are so many topics to discuss going forward. We will continue with various discussions."
Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, is clinking glasses with Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Group, and Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, along with other guests during a chicken meeting at Kanbu Chicken near Samseong Station in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of October 30, 2025. Photo by Jo Yongjun
He took a seat wearing a black short-sleeved T-shirt. About five minutes later, Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung also arrived at the venue. CEO Huang soon took out NVIDIA's artificial intelligence (AI) server equipment, the 'DGX System,' and presented it as a gift to Chairman Lee and Chairman Chung.
After some friendly conversation, he became interested when he saw a guest at a nearby table using a machine to mix soju and beer to make somaek. When a citizen made a glass and handed it to him, he smiled and said, "I will try a glass." Then, Chairman Euisun Chung also held out his glass, saying, "Please make one more for me, too." The atmosphere became even more relaxed.
As glasses were exchanged and laughter spread, CEO Huang suddenly stood up and raised his glass. With his characteristic smile, he shouted,
"Everybody, dinner is free!" The restaurant erupted in applause and cheers from the citizens. CEO Huang laughed and said, "Tonight, it's on me!" The citizens at the next table applauded and shouted, "Jensen, you're awesome!"
Chairman Euisun Chung also raised his glass and laughed loudly. "Then I'll buy the next round!" Chairman Jay Y. Lee smiled and said, "Please enjoy as much as you like," raising his glass for a toast. The three of them clinked their somaek glasses and burst into laughter. It was a scene rarely seen at official events.
Samsung Group Chairman Lee Jae-yong is revealing a gift he received during a chicken meeting with Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun and NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang at Kanbu Chicken near Samsung Station in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 30th. 2025.10.30 Photo by Cho Yongjun
After the brief jokes, the conversation naturally shifted to serious industry topics. The gathering of the three leaders was not just a meal. It was a meeting where NVIDIA's AI computing capabilities, Samsung Electronics' memory, and Hyundai Motor's mobility technology came together. This meeting symbolized the direction of future industries where semiconductors, autonomous driving, and AI converge.
Throughout the meal, CEO Huang responded to citizens' requests, signing autographs and taking photos with children. He told the staff, "It's really delicious," giving a thumbs up. After attending the 'GeForce' 25th anniversary event for the Korean launch at COEX earlier that day, CEO Huang is scheduled to deliver a speech at a special session of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, on the following day, October 31.
Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, is delivering a gift during a chicken meeting with Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Group, and Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, at Kanbu Chicken near Samseong Station in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 30th. 2025.10.30 Photo by Jo Yongjun
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