A bank employee in South Korea lost nearly 500 million won in one month after investing in SK Hynix leverage ETF, leaving the account with 220 million won, according to a post on workplace community Blind. The investor started with 200 million won in October and grew the account to 700 million won by investing in SK Hynix and semiconductor stocks, then added 2x leverage and margin credit in May. The losses occurred as semiconductor stocks declined following their rally in May. Leverage ETF products amplify both gains and losses by a multiple of the underlying asset's price movement.
Bank Employee Posts 500 Million Won Loss on Blind Community
A post titled "SK Hynix Leverage Ruined My Life" appeared on Blind, an anonymous workplace community. The author identified as a bank employee and described losing nearly 500 million won from a peak account value of 700 million won. The remaining balance stood at 220 million won. The author wrote: "Compared to the starting point, I'm still up 10%, but I'm under extreme stress. If I hadn't used 2x leverage, I could have lost 50% less." The author added: "I worked for 10 years and kept losing, then finally felt I had some wealth in this bull market, but now I'm in so much pain." The author disclosed previous losses in cryptocurrency and stocks, with current net assets of approximately 250 million won.
Investment Timeline Shows October Start to May Peak
The bank employee started investing 200 million won in October. By March, the account grew to 400 million won through investments in SK Hynix and semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment stocks. The investor then rotated into cosmetics, department stores, materials/parts/equipment, and ESS (energy storage system) stocks, reaching 550 million won in evaluation by May. In May, when SK Hynix rallied again, the investor determined semiconductors remained undervalued and invested 700 million won. The investor added margin credit to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix stocks and purchased 2x leverage products. The account declined to 220 million won within one month as semiconductor stocks fluctuated.
Leverage Products Doubled Losses During Decline
The author stated: "If I hadn't used 2x leverage, I could have lost 50% less." Leverage products increase returns proportionally when asset prices rise, but also amplify losses proportionally when prices fall. The 2x leverage structure magnified the losses during the semiconductor stock decline that followed the May rally.
Community Members Question Loss Framing
Blind community members responded to the post with comments questioning the "ruined life" framing. Responses included: "It's ultimately a profit, so why say it's ruined?" and "10% profit isn't ruined" and "You made 20 million won, how is your life ruined?" One commenter wrote: "Your peak isn't your asset—your low point is your asset. Stocks have high volatility. How much you make when it rises is determined by luck, and how much you protect when it falls is skill." Another commenter stated: "When you hit a peak, it looks like your money" and "Until you sell, it's not profit but cyber money." The comments suggested the author mistook early gains for personal skill.
FAQ
What happened to the bank employee who invested in SK Hynix leverage ETF?
The bank employee started with 200 million won in October, grew the account to 700 million won, then lost nearly 500 million won in one month, leaving 220 million won after investing in SK Hynix 2x leverage ETF and using margin credit on semiconductor stocks.
How did leverage products affect the investment losses?
The investor used 2x leverage products, which amplify both gains and losses proportionally. The author stated that without 2x leverage, losses could have been 50% lower during the semiconductor stock decline that followed the May rally.
What was the community response to the loss post on Blind?
Blind community members noted the investor still had a 10% overall profit from the starting investment and questioned the "ruined life" framing, with comments emphasizing that unrealized peak values are not actual assets and that protecting capital during declines reflects investment skill.
