Early Life
Kwon Hyuk-bin was born in South Korea and developed an early interest in technology and video games. He showed a keen interest in computers and spent hours playing video games. He pursued a degree in electrical engineering from Sogang University. After graduating, Kwon turned down a position at Samsung to pursue his passion for video game development. His initial venture was an education startup, 4CSoft, which was unsuccessful.
Rise to Success
In 2002, Kwon founded Smilegate, which would become a leading gaming company. His strategic partnership with Tencent in 2008 led to the release of Crossfire, the first-person shooter game that became a global phenomenon. By 2014, Crossfire was the top-grossing free-to-play game worldwide. Crossfire has reached over 8 million concurrent users worldwide. The company's annual revenue surpassed 1 trillion KRW in 2020. He owns 100% of Smilegate Holdings.
Key Business Strategies
Kwon's success is attributed to his vision to revolutionize the gaming sector and his ability to identify market opportunities. His decision to partner with Tencent was critical in expanding Crossfire's reach in China. He has fostered a culture of innovation within Smilegate, supporting the development of titles like Lost Ark and Epic Seven. Smilegate has a global presence with offices across Asia, North America, and Europe.
Philanthropy
Kwon is known for his philanthropic efforts. He has established schools in China and Vietnam and has contributed to his alma mater, Sogang University. He founded the Orange Planet Entrepreneurship Foundation. He operates three foundations: Hope Studio, Orange Planet Entrepreneurship Foundation, and Future Lab.
