SK Hynix has surpassed Samsung Electronics in annual operating profits for the first time, reporting 47.2 trillion Korean won in 2025 compared to Samsung's 43.6 trillion won. This milestone is attributed to SK Hynix's strategic focus on High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) technology, which has become crucial in the AI era. The company's investment in HBM, initiated in 2009, has paid off as it now holds 62% of the global HBM market share, outpacing Samsung and Micron. The success of SK Hynix is rooted in its decision to embrace HBM technology during a period when it was not widely recognized or demanded. This gamble has positioned the company as a leader in the semiconductor industry, particularly as demand for AI computing power surges. SK Hynix's journey from near bankruptcy in 2001 to a dominant force in the semiconductor market underscores the potential of long-term strategic investments in emerging technologies.