'Chicken Gathering' in the Heart of the City... 'Jensenity' Lands in Korea

Whenever Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, visits his hometown of Taiwan, he makes a point to visit the night markets. In May last year, during Computex 2024 in Taipei, he toured the Ningxia and Raohe Street night markets with Morris Chang, founder of TSMC, engaging in conversations with local citizens. Taiwanese media coined the term "Jensenity effect," combining his name "Jen" with "insanity," to symbolize his widespread public influence.

Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee (left), Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun greet each other after finishing a "chimaek" gathering at a chicken restaurant in Samseong-dong, Seoul, on the evening of the 30th. 2025.10.30 Photo by Jo Yongjun

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This "Jensenity" was recreated in Seoul as well. On the evening of October 30, when news broke that CEO Huang, Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee, and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun were meeting at Kkanbu Chicken in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, hundreds of people gathered at the venue. When CEO Huang cheerfully shouted, "Everybody, dinner is free!" the crowd erupted in cheers, and he came out holding chicken, sharing it with the citizens.

The business community views this meeting as the "Korean version of the Jensenity effect." With the industrial landscape rapidly shifting toward AI semiconductors, electric vehicles, and robotics, the gathering of these three global technology leaders in one place was seen as a symbol of an "AI alliance." Since all three-CEO Huang, Chairman Lee, and Chairman Chung-are positioning artificial intelligence as a core business, there is growing anticipation for expanded collaboration in the future.

On social media, posts tagged with the names of the three leaders and their companies surpassed 100,000 in just one day. The so-called "natural advertising" effect generated by this single meeting is being compared to Taiwan's "most expensive dinner."

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is offering chicken to citizens during a meeting with Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung at Kkanbu Chicken in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on October 30, 2025. Photo by Jo Yongjun

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On the 30th, near Kkanbu Chicken in Samseong-dong, Seoul, the area was crowded with reporters and citizens as Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, was expected to meet with Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics, and Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group. 2025.10.30 Photo by Jo Yongjun

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The "Kkanbu Chicken meeting" was arranged at the suggestion of Nvidia. CEO Huang expressed his desire to experience Korea's "chimaek" (chicken and beer) culture, and as Nvidia Korea searched for a venue near COEX, they chose "Kkanbu" for its symbolic name and location. This is interpreted as a message to strengthen solidarity with Korean companies as "AI partners (Kkanbu)."

Chairmen Jay Y. Lee and Chung Euisun traveled to Seoul early that morning after completing their APEC schedules in Gyeongju to meet with CEO Huang. The need for collaboration in AI, semiconductors, and electric vehicles appears to have played a role. After finishing their chicken gathering, the three returned to Gyeongju the next day, October 31, to rejoin the APEC schedule. Further discussions are expected to take place during CEO Huang's session and the business roundtable.

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