A recent meeting between SK Group Chairman Chey Tae Won and NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang has sparked interest in the tech industry. The two executives were spotted enjoying a casual chicken-and-beer gathering in the United States on January 5. Notably, they were joined by Chey’s eldest daughter, Chey Yoon Jung, who heads strategy at SK Biopharm, and Huang’s daughter, Madison Huang.
Industry sources revealed on Wednesday that the meeting took place at 99 Chicken, a Korean-style pub in Santa Clara, California. The venue is known for its authentic Korean fare, including fried chicken, soju, and beer – staples of Korean pub culture.
During their two-hour rendezvous, discussions reportedly centered on NVIDIA’s plans to incorporate SK Hynix’s HBM4 (sixth-generation High Bandwidth Memory) into their upcoming AI accelerator, codenamed “Vera Rubin.” The executives also explored potential long-term collaborations in the AI sector.
The timing of this meeting is particularly significant, as it coincides with a major shift in the global AI semiconductor landscape, where next-generation HBM technology is becoming increasingly crucial. NVIDIA currently dominates the AI accelerator market, while SK Hynix has positioned itself as NVIDIA’s primary HBM supplier. Industry analysts view this meeting as a potential indicator of future supply chain dynamics for cutting-edge HBM technology.
In a recent corporate briefing, SK Hynix confirmed that its HBM4 mass-production plans are on schedule and align with client expectations.
Chey Yoon Jung’s presence at the meeting has sparked speculation about potential collaborations beyond semiconductors, possibly extending into biotechnology.
SK Biopharm has recently emphasized AI-driven innovation as a key strategic focus. Given the company’s efforts to integrate AI with biotechnology, it’s likely that these synergies were discussed during the meeting. Madison Huang’s involvement is also noteworthy, as she has a history of exploring business opportunities with South Korean firms, suggesting a broader strengthening of ties between the two companies.
Sources indicate that Chairman Chey presented Huang with a copy of Super Momentum, a book detailing SK Hynix’s vision and achievements in HBM development. Huang was observed examining the book’s contents with apparent interest.
In Super Momentum, Chey writes that his first meeting with Jensen Huang at NVIDIA’s headquarters in 2021 strengthened his belief in the AI vision.