Jensen Huang Highlights NVIDIA's Longstanding Partnership with Korea

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang revealed his special love for Korea. Appearing on tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block' that aired on the 10th, Jensen Huang said, "Korea's technology industry started with the internet and gaming. Without e-sports, video games, Faker, and the countless Korean gamers, it would not have sparked a global syndrome." He added, "Because e-sports spread from Korea to the world, gamers worldwide fell in love with e-sports and they all bought NVIDIA. Korean gamers have always used NVIDIA. That journey started 25 years ago. We grew together. Internet cafes, PC bangs, and e-sports are deeply embedded in my heart." In 1996, after receiving a letter from the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee, he visited Korea and did business at Yongsan Electronics Market, and he said he had dinner with the store owners at the time. Recently visiting Korea for a 'samgyeopsal + soju meeting' and a chicken gathering, he cheerfully said, "You know how much I love eating, right?" When asked, "Who are you closest to among Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun, and SK Group Chairman Choi Tae-won?" he answered, "I'm close to all of them. I want them all to succeed. So the choice is very easy." He explained, "I like all of them. They are incredibly great global leaders. All three companies have excellent leaders." Showing abundant energy throughout the recording of 'You Quiz on the Block', when asked by Yoo Jae-suk about the secret to his energy, Jensen Hwang said, "My energy comes from a genuine desire to help you. Today, my workplace is here, 'You Quiz on the Block'. I will stay here as long as you want to make the show successful." He emphasized, "At the company, I want my employees to succeed, and when I'm in Korea, I want my partners to succeed. I want SK, Samsung, LG, Hyundai, Naver all to succeed. I truly want my partners, friends, and the people I work with to succeed. I will give 100% to help them succeed." Jensen Hwang also recalled his days of washing dishes after moving to the US at age 9. Even while washing dishes, he thought, "I must become the person who washes dishes best in this restaurant." Jensen Hwang said, "I do my best in everything. It doesn't matter what the task is. Whether washing dishes, cleaning the bathroom, or delivering newspapers, you must give 100%. That's a lesson I've learned throughout my life. Whatever you do, 100%." He pointed out, "What matters is that when you finish a task, it becomes your work, and someone will see it. The result of your work is you." Although NVIDIA is currently the world's largest company by market capitalization, it has faced bankruptcy. Recalling that time, he confessed, "I was scared then. Many people had joined the company, and I felt a great responsibility for their lives." He said, "We were on the verge of bankruptcy within 30 days, but the tougher the situation, the more you have to keep your wits about you. Difficult situations can unleash amazing power. I also like success, but during tough times, I think, 'A great opportunity has come.' All members become smarter and come up with ideas. I like that. So I sometimes wait for crises. I wait for hardships that will bring out hidden abilities." Jensen Hwang explained, "Crises unite people. They unite members and grow corporate culture. Organizations also need pain and adversity. Korea, too, is a country born out of crisis. Korea's greatness and culture have been forged through adversity, and it has achieved national unity." Just as he experienced hardships and achieved growth, he also emphasized the importance of 'suffering'. Jensen Hwang said, "You don't necessarily have to suffer, but to become great, you must suffer. You cannot succeed without failure. Becoming smart is easy, but building resilience is difficult. It can only be honed through experience, by giving yourself opportunities to fail and overcome." Jensen Hwang also touched on his ideal talent. He said, "Intelligence is a common commodity. The most important thing is humanity. If you're looking for someone to be with, find someone who knows how to give." He added, "I want you to succeed – that is a giving heart. When hiring, you should look for generous and kind people. Those qualities are truly valuable abilities. For success, you need to surround yourself with such people." Jensen Hwang also participated in the quiz segment of 'You Quiz on the Block'. The quiz prepared for him was to arrange the order of NVIDIA's stock price highs. Jensen Hwang correctly ordered the options: Kkanbu meeting (₩280,000), Revealing arm NVIDIA tattoo (₩700), Stanford University Jensen Huang Engineering Center opening (₩420), Release of world's first GPU GeForce 256 (₩75), and received a prize of ₩1 million. Earlier, Jensen Hwang had said he would donate ₩1 million of his own money even if he failed the quiz, and in response, his wife Lori Hwang prepared ₩1 million in an envelope in advance. Although he won the prize by answering correctly, he decided to donate the money from the envelope as well. Jensen Hwang's prize was donated to the 'Kids and Future Foundation' for IT education for underprivileged children. Meanwhile, tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block' airs every Wednesday at 8:45 PM.