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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Stellar Blade was a major contributor to Shift Up’s business, but it is not accurate to say the game alone made CEO Kim Hyung-tae a billionaire. Forbes estimated that Kim and his wife together were worth $1 billion when Shift Up went public in July 2024; Forbes later estimated Kim’s individual net worth at $725 million in 2025. The latest Forbes Korea top-50 list, published in 2026, does not include him.
Did Stellar Blade make Kim Hyung-tae a billionaire?
Not by itself, based on the available figures. Forbes reported that Kim became a billionaire after Shift Up’s shares jumped on their July 11, 2024 KOSPI debut. Its estimate was $1 billion for Kim and his wife combined, not for Kim alone. Forbes said Kim personally held a 39% stake at the time. That was an estimate tied to the listing-day share price, not evidence that he sold shares or received that amount in cash. Forbes’ July 2024 report described the market debut and wealth estimate.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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Stellar Blade - PlayStation 5 | $46.30 | Buy on Amazon |
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![Stellar Blade Korean Edition [English Supports] for PS5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51I72DI5yVL._SL160_.jpg)
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Stellar Blade Korean Edition [English Supports] for PS5 | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Stellar Blade (Multi-Language) | $64.00 | Buy on Amazon |
A founder’s paper wealth can move as a public company’s share price changes: the value attributed to a stake is not the same as cash in hand. The company’s revenue and profits are also business measures, not a personal balance sheet.
What are the latest reported estimates of his wealth?
The estimates are date-specific and not directly interchangeable: the 2024 figure covered Kim and his wife together, while Forbes’ 2025 coverage gave an estimate for Kim of $725 million. Neither should be presented as his current net worth. Forbes’ 2025 estimate is the later of those two figures.
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- Stunning PS5 visuals: Explore vibrant futuristic environments, and engage with a cast of original friends and foes from the creative minds of the SHIFT UP team, led by renowned artist Kim Hyung Tae.
- Ultra high-speed SSD: Explore new locations, overcome powerful enemies, and encounter jaw-dropping revelations as you advance relentlessly through EVE’s mission with lightning-fast load times.
- Adaptive triggers: Unleash devastating yet graceful acrobatic moves, and interact with the technological remnants of an abandoned Earth using the DualSense wireless controller’s adaptive triggers.
- Haptic feedback: Feel the thrill of combat as your blade slashes its way to victory, with sensations enriched by the DualSense wireless controller’s responsive vibrations.
- Users Interact, In-Game Purchases
Forbes Korea’s 2026 Korea’s 50 Richest list does not include Kim in its published top 50. The list’s estimates use stock prices and exchange rates as of March 27, 2026. That establishes that he was not listed among those 50 on that valuation basis; it does not establish an exact current net worth or rank outside the list.
How much did Shift Up and its games earn in 2025?
Shift Up is a multi-game studio, and its 2025 results show why the company’s success cannot be attributed to Stellar Blade alone. The company’s 1Q 2026 investor book reports 294 billion won in 2025 revenue, 181 billion won in operating profit, and 191 billion won in net profit. Its stated operating margin was 61.6%. These are companywide figures, not Kim’s personal income. Shift Up’s 1Q 2026 investor book presents the full-year results.
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- This is Korean Version released by SIEK. Region free title so you can play it on your system.
- Korean Edition supports Multi language Subtitles: Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Dutch, Norwegian, Danish, German, Russian, Swedish, Spanish, Arabic, Italian, Turkish, Portuguese, Polish, French, Finnish, Tyre
- A thrilling slice of razor-sharp action - Engage in blisteringly fast combat as you slash a path through the remnants of Earth, facing epic boss encounters that will challenge both brain and brawn in equal measure. Unleash graceful yet brutal attacking combos and unlock new moves as you progress, with customisable skills based on your play style. Upgrade Eve’s weapons to boost your chances as each boss battle becomes progressively more demanding
- An incredible visual experience - Become immersed in a highly detailed post-apocalyptic world that blends beauty and horror to spectacular effect. Explore breath-taking science fiction-inspired environments as the characters and creations of renowned Korean artist and Shift Up studio director Kim Hyung Tae are brought to life, via the graphical power.
- A deep, unforgettable adventure - Discover an enthralling narrative filled with mature themes, mystery and revelation. Embrace the relentless pace, with no time to pause between moments where critical, story-changing decisions are made. Eve's belief in her mission is absolute. But as she destroys her enemies with ruthless power while at the same time forming close-knit bonds with the few friends that have got her back, she'll ultimately be asked questions about what it truly means to be human
For game-level figures, Yonhap reported that Shift Up’s 2025 annual disclosure attributed 166.8 billion won to Goddess of Victory: Nikke and 115.8 billion won to Stellar Blade. The investor book separately lists Stellar Blade revenue of 117.6 billion won for 2025. The sources present slightly different Stellar Blade amounts, and the figures should not be silently combined or treated as identical accounting categories. Yonhap’s February 11, 2026 report gives the annual-disclosure breakdown.
| Measure | 2025 reported amount | What it describes |
|---|---|---|
| Shift Up revenue | 294 billion won | Companywide revenue, per Shift Up’s investor book |
| Goddess of Victory: Nikke | 166.8 billion won | Title-level revenue reported by Yonhap from Shift Up’s annual disclosure |
| Stellar Blade | 115.8 billion won | Title-level amount reported by Yonhap from Shift Up’s annual disclosure |
| Stellar Blade | 117.6 billion won | Title-level revenue listed in Shift Up’s investor book |
These figures show Stellar Blade was commercially significant, while Nikke also contributed substantially. They do not show that Stellar Blade alone created Kim’s wealth, nor do title revenues equal profit or the amount paid to the CEO.
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- A thrilling slice of razor-sharp action - Engage in blisteringly fast combat as you slash a path through the remnants of Earth, facing epic boss encounters that will challenge both brain and brawn in equal measure. Unleash graceful yet brutal attacking combos and unlock new moves as you progress, with customisable skills based on your play style. Upgrade Eve’s weapons to boost your chances as each boss battle becomes progressively more demanding
- An incredible visual experience - Become immersed in a highly detailed post-apocalyptic world that blends beauty and horror to spectacular effect. Explore breath-taking science fiction-inspired environments as the characters and creations of renowned Korean artist and Shift Up studio director Kim Hyung Tae are brought to life, via the graphical power of PlayStation5
- A deep, unforgettable adventure - Discover an enthralling narrative filled with mature themes, mystery and revelation. Embrace the relentless pace, with no time to pause between moments where critical, story-changing decisions are made. Eve's belief in her mission is absolute. But as she destroys her enemies with ruthless power while at the same time forming close-knit bonds with the few friends that have got her back, she'll ultimately be asked questions about what it truly means to be human
Who owns Shift Up?
Ownership figures change over time and depend on which holders are grouped together. In its investor profile, Shift Up reported a March 2026 split of 40% for the CEO, executives and employees (including 1% in treasury shares), 35% for Tencent, and 25% for other holders. That 40% is a combined category, not Kim’s individual stake. Shift Up listed on KOSPI on July 11, 2024; the 39% figure Forbes gave for Kim was specific to that time and should not be carried forward as a current holding. The investor book also identifies Kim as CEO and gives the March 2026 ownership categories.
What comes next for Stellar Blade?
Shift Up’s investor roadmap references a Stellar Blade sequel and platform expansion toward 2027. Yonhap reported in February 2026 that the company was considering expanding the game beyond PS5 and PC and planned to share more information about the sequel. These are plans and considerations, not a confirmed release date or guarantee of a particular platform launch. The investor book describes Stellar Blade as a global action-adventure game for PS5 and PC, published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Yonhap’s report covers the company’s comments on expansion and the sequel.
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