"There Are People on the 280th Floor" "Has the Government Lost Its Mind?"... Celebrities Lash Out as Circuit Breaker Mechanism Is Triggered for Two Straight Days

[Financial News] South Korea's stock market plunged for a second straight day, sending both the KOSPI (Korea Composite Stock Price Index) and KOSDAQ (Korea Securities Dealers Automated Quotations) into turmoil as trading was temporarily halted under the circuit breaker mechanism. As SK hynix, the leading semiconductor stock, continued its sharp decline after repeated swings, celebrities who had publicly disclosed their investments have voiced frustration over their losses and are increasingly calling on the government to take action.

According to the financial sector on the 30th, many broadcast and entertainment figures who invested in SK hynix suffered heavy losses amid the stock's steep drop.
YouTuber Lalal expressed disbelief over her account, which had nearly been cut in half (-50%), posting on social media, "SK hynix at 1.38 million won? There are people on the 280th floor."
Comedian Mija also said, "I'm not okay," sharing her bitter update after getting caught at the peak, while comedian Shingiru posted a screenshot of a loss notification window and revealed her discomfort.
Broadcaster Seo Dong-ju also said, "My husband decided to leave this war-like Korean stock market," adding, "I'm stuck with SK hynix at the 259th floor (an average purchase price of around 2.51 million won per share)," showing that the fallout from the stock plunge has spread across the entertainment industry.

On the 29th, Lee Sol-i, the wife of comedian Park Sung-kwang, also posted on her social media account, "Ah, I found a reason to cry," along with a direct message exchange with an acquaintance. In the conversation, one message compared the recent market slump to "feeling like you've moved into the highest floor of a historic building," and Lee replied, "I'm at SK hynix 280," revealing that she had bought SK hynix shares at around 2.8 million won per share.


As the stock market rout deepened, criticism of the current administration's stock market policy also emerged.
Actor Han Jeong-su wrote on social media, "The circuit breaker mechanism was triggered two days in a row, yesterday and today. This is effectively a situation worse than war or a natural disaster, yet is the government just watching?"
He also pointed out, "The government suddenly allowed 2x leverage in May, turning the stock market into a playground for foreign investors, and now it is turning away as if it has nothing to do with it."
Market watchers say one factor behind the heightened volatility was the financial authorities' decision in May to allow the listing of leveraged ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) and ETN products tied to single stocks such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix at ±2x leverage. The authorities have since moved belatedly to suspend new listings and tighten deposit requirements.
Meanwhile, SK hynix closed on the 29th at 1.401 million won, down 9.61% (149,000 won) from the previous trading day. At one point during the session, it fell more than 19% to as low as 1.246 million won. It continued to show sharp volatility on the morning of the 30th as well, falling more than 5% at the open.
Brokerage analysts said volatility was amplified by excessive concentration in trading of leveraged products tied to single stocks, combined with a market structure that is vulnerable to outside shocks. They advised investors to remain cautious for the time being.

[email protected] Moon Young-jin Reporter