This story is part of Forbes’ report on South Korea’s richest 2025. See the full list here.

Samyang Foods' shares have been boiling, growing 265% over the past year, attracted by the anger of its spicy Buldak (Korean Turkey) instant noodles. Their creator Kim Jung-Soo is a newcomer this year with a $1.3 billion fortune, and she shares with her husband Chun In-Jang, the company’s former chairman.

Kim was a stay-at-home mom until he joined the Ramen Giant founded by his father-in-law in 1998. Inspired by the crowd of Buldak restaurants in Seoul, Kim launched Spicy Noodles in 2012. Sales stand out in social media posts such as BTS with K-Pop Icons (such as BTS) and stuffed into Buldak Ramen’s bowl.

Samyang Foods reported revenues in 2024 rose 45% year-on-year to 1.7 trillion won ($1.2 billion), while net profit rose 114% to 271 million won. Overseas sales, most of which come from the United States and China, doubled during the same period, accounting for half of the total.

Kim and her husband faced the Heat when they were sentenced to embezzle about 5 billion won of corporate funds in 2020. Kim (Kim) was sentenced to probation and eventually pardoned, and her husband served three years in prison but still faced trial on alleged tax fraud, a charge he was denied. Their son, Jeffrey, is a Columbia graduate who is preparing to become her successor.