Top honor for Kim Hyung-tae at the Korea Content Awards
Kim Hyung-tae leads Shift Up and directed the action hit Stellar Blade. He has earned a Presidential Commendation at the 2025 Korea Content Awards. The event is run by South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. The prize spotlights how Korean games now reach players around the world. Kim was cited for guiding games like Goddess of Victory: Nikke and Stellar Blade. These titles helped lift Korean IPs onto the global stage.
Stellar Blade shatters sales and player records
The award comes after a landmark year for Stellar Blade. The PlayStation 5 version released in April 2024 sold over a million copies in two months. The PC release followed in June 2025 and moved past a million copies in just three days. The game set a new mark for a PlayStation-exclusive launch on PC by peak concurrent players. It surpassed big names in the process, including God of War and Marvel’s Spider-Man. All told, Stellar Blade has sold about three million copies across platforms.
Shift Up’s roadmap points to more big moves
In accepting the honor, Kim thanked the developers and fans who stood by Shift Up. He pledged to keep lifting the profile of Korean games worldwide. The studio already has bold projects in the works. A sequel to Stellar Blade is in development. Shift Up is also behind a new title, codenamed Project Spirits, set to be published by Level Infinite. The company’s growth tracks a strong market arc, following its 2024 IPO—the largest for a Korean gaming firm since Krafton listed in 2021.
Growing a louder voice for Korea’s game scene
This year’s milestones show how Korean studios are expanding their reach. Nikke and Stellar Blade helped prove that Korean ideas can travel far. With Level Infinite backing Project Spirits, Shift Up aims to bring fresh stories to more platforms. The IPO success signals confidence from investors and sets the stage for bigger collaborations. Fans can expect more bold experiments and steady updates from Shift Up as it grows.
Eyes on the horizon for Korean games
Shift Up’s leadership is clear in its plan. The team wants to push Korean games further into the global market. The mix of hit titles, a strong publishing partner, and a growing portfolio points to a bright future. Kim’s recognition underscores how one studio’s work can lift an entire scene. The industry in Korea is riding a wave, and Shift Up is poised to ride along.
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