As defense stocks showed strength in the first domestic market session since war broke out between the United States and Iran, a meme featuring heads of related corporations is spreading quickly online.
According to the financial investment industry on the 4th, as defense shares have surged recently, a so-called "get in quickly" meme featuring Kim Seung-youn and Kim Dong-Kwan has appeared, centering on online communities and stock discussion boards.
The content is an AI-generated image depicting two people opening a car door, wearing sunglasses, and extending their hands against a backdrop reminiscent of a battlefield. Behind them are the logos of Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems, whose share prices have soared. The phrase "No time to explain, get in quickly!" is seen as a humorous expression of investor sentiment that they should jump on a soaring market.
A similar type of "head meme" also appeared earlier when optimism over the AI industry was driving the market. At the time, parody images featuring Lee Jae-yong and Chey Tae-won drew attention and were shared among investors.
On the 3rd, LIG Nex1 closed at the upper limit (the top of the daily price band). Hanwha Systems jumped 29.14% to 146,700 won, and Hanwha Aerospace rose 19.83% to 1,432,000 won, setting new record highs.
The strength in defense stocks the previous day was largely due to the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran intensifying over the weekend and growing uncertainty in the Middle East. The same day, the KOSPI index slumped 7.24% to 5,791.91 as investor sentiment deteriorated.