SEOUL — From enjoying pork belly with soju at a local restaurant to dancing on a popular Korean variety show, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s recent visit to South Korea has been nothing short of a cultural phenomenon. On June 7, the tech titan added another historic milestone to his blockbuster itinerary: throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at a Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) game.
Clad in a custom baseball jersey, Huang stepped onto the mound at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul, ahead of the highly anticipated matchup between the Kiwoom Heroes and the Doosan Bears. In a rare and symbolic display of global tech and corporate partnership, Park Jeong-won, Chairman of the Doosan Group, stood at the batter's box as the ceremonial hitter.
A Historic 'First' for Both Tech and Baseball
While Huang is widely known to be an avid baseball fan, this marked his very first time throwing a pitch at a KBO league game. Similarly, for Chairman Park—another well-known baseball enthusiast—this event represented his first time ever participating as a ceremonial hitter in a professional game. According to Doosan Bears officials, this is also the first time in the club's history that a foreign corporate leader has taken the mound for a ceremonial pitch.
The collaboration reportedly began when Nvidia approached the Doosan Bears prior to Huang's arrival, inquiring about the possibility of a ceremonial pitch. Chairman Park warmly accepted the proposal and decided to step up to the plate himself to show his hospitality and respect for the global tech leader.
Before entering the diamond, both leaders received professional coaching. Huang practiced his pitches in the indoor facility under the guidance of Doosan’s foreign ace pitcher, Jack Logue. Meanwhile, Chairman Park received batting tips from the team's veteran captain and catcher, Yang Eui-ji.
When asked by reporters about his pitching strategy and whether he had any special pitches prepared, Huang jokingly replied, "I will just do what I can do." When pressed on whether Nvidia and Doosan were planning any upcoming business collaborations, he briefly smiled and said, "Right now, I am entirely focused on the pitch."
Celebrating History on Their Backs
The uniforms worn by the two leaders carried deep historical significance. Huang wore a jersey with his name and the number "93," representing 1993, the founding year of Nvidia. Chairman Park’s jersey featured the number "96," symbolizing 1896, the year Doosan was established, making it one of Korea's oldest corporate dynasties.
As Huang walked out to the pitch, he grabbed the microphone to greet the packed stadium. "Hello Korea!" he shouted, triggering thunderous applause and cheers from the crowd.
"Thank you for the warm welcome extended to me, my family, and Nvidia," Huang said. "I am here in Korea not only because we have so many incredible partners here, but also to enjoy Korean fried chicken. There is absolutely nothing better than 'Chimaek' (chicken and beer). Go, Korea!"
An Exciting Pitch and a 'Blockbuster' Korean Tour
The actual pitch provided a moment of suspense for the thousands of fans in attendance. Huang unleashed a high, drifting ball that sailed a bit too close to Chairman Park. The Doosan chairman quickly ducked to avoid the rogue pitch, laughing it off as catcher Yang Eui-ji smoothly caught the ball. Despite the wild trajectory, the stadium erupted in cheers, celebrating the high-energy moment.
Huang’s appearance at the baseball stadium is just one highlight of his whirlwind South Korean tour, which began when he landed in Seoul on June 5. Over the past few days, the Nvidia chief has maintained an aggressive, high-profile schedule, blending high-stakes business meetings with cultural engagement.
Aside from meeting with top South Korean business leaders to discuss the future of AI hardware and semiconductor supply chains, Huang has captivated the Korean public by meeting with legendary esports player Faker, enjoying 'Samso' (pork belly and soju) in the trendy Hongdae district, and filming an episode for the hit tvN talk show You Quiz on the Block. Industry insiders note that Huang’s "GPU-class" speed and charisma have successfully solidified Nvidia’s friendly brand image in one of the world's most critical technology hubs.
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