Nvidia’s celebrated co-founder and CEO, Jensen Huang, has experienced a meteoric rise from being a relatively obscure figure in the technology sector to attaining the status of a global icon in the world of artificial intelligence. His transformation from a niche industry executive to a recognized international personality has unfolded at remarkable speed—a fact vividly captured in a single photograph taken during his recent trip to South Korea. The image in question encapsulates not only his newfound fame but also how technological innovation now merges seamlessly with cultural and social visibility.
Huang’s visit to South Korea coincided with a moment of broader geopolitical significance—the meeting between then–U.S. President Donald Trump and China’s leader, Xi Jinping—illustrating how the realms of technology, politics, and diplomacy can intersect in unexpected ways. Like many executives on international business trips, Huang used the opportunity to strengthen corporate relationships and engage in networking over dinner. On this particular evening, he joined Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chairman Chung Eui-sun for what appeared at first glance to be a casual social gathering.
The trio chose an unpretentious venue for their meeting: a branch of Kkanbu Chicken, a beloved South Korean chain whose name translates to “close friend,” symbolizing camaraderie and mutual respect—qualities resonant with high-level partnerships. Seated together over platters of fried chicken and glasses of beer, they participated in a beloved local culinary tradition known as “chimaek,” the harmonious pairing of chicken (chi) and beer (maek). What might have been a private dinner quickly transformed into a public spectacle: crowds of journalists, photographers, and enthusiastic onlookers assembled outside the restaurant, eager to catch a glimpse of the influential guests. The restaurant’s reflective glass façade revealed the lively interior, where other diners could be seen raising their phones to capture pictures of the moment, underscoring Huang’s star power and the fascination surrounding him.
National television networks broadcast live coverage of the executives dining together—an extraordinary display of how business leaders in the age of artificial intelligence have become figures of celebrity status. The simple act of sharing a meal became an emblematic cultural event. During the gathering, Huang presented his distinguished companions with elegantly packaged boxes labeled Nvidia DGX, referring to the company’s high-performance computing systems designed for AI development. In a symbolic gesture further underscoring collaboration, Samsung’s Lee held up a card from Huang inscribed with the message: “To our partnership and future of the world!”—a succinct yet profound expression of the shared ambition that unites global technological innovators.
According to Bloomberg, this trip was about more than goodwill. Reports indicated that Huang intended to announce new contracts with both Samsung and Hyundai, involving the supply of Nvidia’s advanced chips to bolster each company’s AI capabilities. The meetings thus carried strategic importance, connecting the powerhouses of semiconductors, automotive engineering, and artificial intelligence within a single network of cooperation and shared progress. Later in the week, Huang was scheduled to appear at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in the historic city of Gyeongju, further reinforcing his position as a central figure in shaping the global conversation on technology and innovation.
As the evening drew to a close, Huang’s engagement with the public continued outside the restaurant walls. He stepped out to greet well-wishers who had gathered to see him, signing autographs on an eclectic range of items—most memorably, a U.S. two-dollar bill and a shopping bag from a local skincare boutique. In a kind and spontaneous gesture, he also offered food from the restaurant to members of the waiting crowd, transforming what could have been a routine corporate dinner into an authentic moment of human connection. Photographers captured the scene as he smiled and exchanged greetings, embodying a blend of professional gravitas and approachability that has come to define his public persona.
Huang’s burgeoning fame is inextricably linked to Nvidia’s extraordinary corporate ascent. As the global enthusiasm for artificial intelligence continues to surge, the company’s hardware—particularly its cutting-edge GPUs—has become indispensable to AI research, cloud computing, and data processing. On the preceding Wednesday, Nvidia achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first company ever to reach a market capitalization of five trillion dollars, a testament to investor confidence and the profound impact of the AI revolution. Over the past five years, its stock price has soared by more than 1,500 percent, mirroring the expansion of Huang’s own influence beyond the realm of technology into popular culture. His transformation from a technically minded engineer into an international symbol of the AI era illustrates how the leaders of today’s most powerful tech firms increasingly shape not only markets but also the imagination and aspirations of society at large.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/photo-jensen-huang-nvidia-fried-chicken-samsung-hyundai-crowd-fame-2025-10
