At the chimaek gathering of Jensen Huang, Nvidia chief executive officer (CEO), Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun, their down-to-earth sides, rarely seen, drew attention.
On the 30th, at a chicken restaurant in Samseong-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, they ordered cheese balls and cheese sticks, plus one whole boneless and bone-in chicken each. Beer Terra, nicknamed "Teslla," and soju Chamisul were also served.
In particular, when Huang showed interest in the "somaek (a drink mixing soju and beer) tower" at the next table, somaek was mixed on the spot.
Huang reportedly said the drink coming out of the somaek maker newly released by HiteJinro tasted weak and poured more soju into the machine himself. Watching the somaek-making process, Huang laughed and said it was "like a tornado."
Referring to "Teslla," a drink made by mixing beer (Terra) and soju (Chamisul) from HiteJinro, Chairman Chung explained, "People say Teslla is the best among bomb shots."
Looking around, Huang spotted a child eating chicken with family at a nearby table and called the child over, saying, "Little boy, aren't you bored?"
When Huang shook hands with the child, Chairman Lee and Chairman Chung, who were next to him, in turn asked, "Do you know who I am?"
When the child answered that only Chairman Lee was familiar, Chairman Chung, looking a bit disappointed, introduced himself by saying, "What kind of car does your dad drive? I'm the guy who makes your dad's car."
When another child eating chicken with family came to get Huang's autograph, the two chairmen asked the same question, and this time the answer was that the child did not know either of them.
Chung then said, "I make cars, and this guy makes phones," drawing laughter inside the restaurant.
Lee readily agreed to the stream of selfie requests and even framed the shots himself on people's phones. When he noticed one customer's phone was an iPhone, he joked, "You should bring a Galaxy," and playfully declined the selfie.
It was Chairman Chung who proposed a "love shot" that day. Chung suddenly stood up and said, "I would like to propose a love shot," and cheers erupted around them.
Huang and Lee then stood up, and the three linked arms and did a love shot. Huang repeatedly said, "It's good," while Lee, perhaps tasting the bitterness, squinted.