Hyung-tae Kim, CEO of Shift Up and director of Stellar Blade, has been honored with a Presidential Commendation by the South Korean government for his significant contributions to the nation’s gaming industry. The award ceremony took place on December 10 during the 2025 Korea Content Awards held in Seoul, as reported by Daum.
Kim received this prestigious recognition for his role in enhancing South Korea’s standing in the global gaming market, particularly through Shift Up’s recent successful releases, including Goddess of Victory: NIKKE and Stellar Blade. The Presidential Commendation is a high-level honor bestowed by the President of South Korea to acknowledge outstanding achievements within various sectors.
The Korea Content Awards, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency, celebrate individuals and organizations that have significantly contributed to the growth of the content industry. In 2023, Goddess of Victory: NIKKE garnered recognition for its international success, while Stellar Blade showcased the capabilities of Korean developers in creating triple-A console games in 2024.
During his acceptance speech, Kim expressed gratitude to his development teams and the fans who have supported Shift Up’s endeavors. He also unveiled plans for upcoming projects, including Project Spirits, a multiplatform game being developed in collaboration with Yongxing Interactive and published by Level Infinite, alongside a sequel to Stellar Blade, set to be published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
“This Presidential Commendation is thanks to the development team and fans who believed in and supported Shift Up,” Kim stated. “We will continue to do our utmost to further showcase the competitiveness of Korean games on the global stage.”
Kim’s acknowledgment reflects a broader trend of South Korean gaming’s ascent in the global arena, emphasizing the importance of innovation and quality in game development. As Shift Up looks to the future with ambitious projects, the gaming community awaits how these developments will further elevate the presence of Korean games internationally. The ongoing commitment to quality and creativity from South Korean developers promises to continue shaping the global gaming landscape.
