SK hynix (000660.KS) shares continue to trade near record highs, prompting a wave of online attention on individual investors who have reaped life-changing returns through long-term holdings. Stories ranging from "building hundreds of millions of won in assets from stocks my parents bought me" to an employee's certified multi-billion won gains are spreading, reviving expectations for a semiconductor super cycle.
"Topping 1.1 Million Won" — hynix Shares Show Volatility Near Peak
According to the Korea Exchange on Monday, SK hynix closed at 1,128,000 won ($820). The stock slipped slightly from the previous session's 1,155,000 won but remained near peak territory.
Shares opened at 1,149,000 won and climbed as high as 1,155,000 won intraday, continuing the new-high trend, before pulling back to around 1,121,000 won on profit-taking.
On Nov. 16, the stock had set a record closing high of 1,155,000 won.
"30 Million Won Became 900 Million Won" — Mother's Investment Story Goes Viral
Amid the rally, online communities have been buzzing with stories of successful long-term investments.
A recent post on one community read, "I'm able to fund my wedding thanks to SK hynix shares my mother bought me 10 years ago."
"My mother, who knew I had no knowledge of stocks, took me to a brokerage, opened an account for me and bought nearly 30 million won worth of hynix shares," the author wrote. "She told me to use it as wedding funds, but I'm still holding on to it."
According to the disclosed account, the investor bought 782 shares at an average price of 33,554 won. At the current price of around 1,146,000 won, the holding is valued at 896.17 million won. Unrealized gains come to roughly 870 million won, for a return of 3,315%.
Online users reacted with astonishment, posting comments such as "Your mother's foresight is incredible," "Holding on like that is a skill in itself," and "You really need to repay her with filial piety."
"5,700 Shares at 7,800 Won" — Employee's 'Legendary Investment' Back in Spotlight
An investment story involving an SK hynix employee that went viral in January is also drawing renewed attention.
According to the Korea Exchange, SK hynix shares traded as high as 762,000 won intraday on Jan. 8, earning the nickname "760,000 Nix." As the stock rose, past cases of bottom-fishing purchases resurfaced on workplace communities.
The investor in question reportedly bought about 5,700 shares at 7,800 won each. An initial investment of around 44 million won has swelled to roughly 4 billion won, a return of nearly 9,000%.
"I judged the stock to be undervalued and invested all my assets. Even within the company, there were many skeptical views," the investor said, explaining the rationale for long-term holding.
According to financial data provider FnGuide, the consensus estimate for SK hynix's first-quarter results is revenue of approximately 46 trillion to 49 trillion won and operating profit of 31 trillion to 34 trillion won, well above the fourth-quarter record of last year.
With expanding demand for AI semiconductors coinciding with the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) boom, the market continues to anticipate further gains.
