The fate of one of Asia’s largest economies is closely tied to Samsung—its 2019 revenue was equivalent to some 13% of South Korea’s GDP. Amid a rise in remote work and schooling, its crown jewel, Samsung Electronics, one of the world’s biggest producers of chips and smartphones, was essential. The company’s South Korean–listed shares soared around 50% in 2020. And even as the company faces internal tumult—in January, its de facto leader, Lee Jae-yong, was sent back to prison on charges stemming from a political bribery scandal—it remains the world’s leading TV vendor, with a market share of 31.9%.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- Coco Gauff Is Playing for Herself Now
- Scenes From Pro-Palestinian Encampments Across U.S. Universities
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- If You're Dating Right Now, You're Brave: Column
- The AI That Could Heal a Divided Internet
- Fallout Is a Brilliant Model for the Future of Video Game Adaptations
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
