Kakao shares plunge from 170,300 to about 30,000 won, investors face heavy losses

Kakao's stock price, which peaked at 170,300 Korean won on June 24 2021, has fallen to roughly 30,000 won. The sharp decline followed a broader shift of investor interest toward semiconductor stocks such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, leaving Kakao largely sidelined. Formerly celebrated as a “people's stock” with about two million small shareholders—second only to Samsung—most investors now report significant losses. Company statements cited that around 96 % of Kakao shareholders are in the red, and many recall buying at high prices amid a 2021 frenzy that saw the share price surge to over 170,000 won before the crash. The downturn has effectively turned Kakao from a popular growth story into a largely abandoned investment, with former shareholders describing the experience as a “hard stop” and “loss‑cutting” situation.