The director of Stellar Blade and founder of Shift Up, Hyung-tae Kim, received a Presidential Mention from the President of South Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol, on December 10 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the development of video games in the country. This honor was awarded during the Korea Content Awards 2025, an event organized by the Korea Creative Content Agency through the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which pays tribute to those who have made significant contributions to national culture.
An award for his work for the country
Stellar Blade, the critically acclaimed title published by Sony, has sold over three million copies, helping to establish Shift Up’s presence beyond the borders of South Korea. Moreover, the game has contributed to reaffirming the value of the South Korean video game industry on a global scale, an aspect that Kim emphasized upon receiving the recognition. “This Presidential Mention is thanks to the development team and the fans who believed in us,” Kim stated, highlighting the importance of teamwork and community support.
Shift Up is also working on new projects, including a sequel to Stellar Blade and another title under the codename Project Spirits, scheduled for release in 2027. These future releases promise to continue the company’s expansion in the global video game industry and reflect South Korea’s competitiveness in this field.
Meanwhile, expectations continue to grow, especially after the recent success of Goddess of Victory: Nikke, another project that has raised Shift Up’s profile worldwide. According to rumors, the relevance of games developed by Shift Up could continue to increase on the international scene.
