What if you bought KakaoBank on its IPO day?
This uses real data to show what would have happened if you had invested a lump sum in KakaoBank (323410), a leading internet-only bank, on August 6, 2021 — its IPO day. We honestly examine a first-day buy that surged early then fell for years.
⚠️ Know the risk first
The surged first-day price becomes your entry, and amid overvaluation concerns the stock fell sharply for a long time from its early-listing peak. Always review the maximum drawdown and loss-period metrics below.
⚠️ This asset is an individual stock chosen as of today, so past returns can look better than they really were (survivorship bias).
What happened that day
On August 6, 2021, KakaoBank, a leading internet-only bank, listed on the KOSPI. Listing at a 39,000-won offer price, it surged about 79% on day one, then fell sharply for a long time from its early-listing peak amid overvaluation criticism over a market cap exceeding incumbent groups.
Why this date
KakaoBank's daily price data begins on its IPO day, so the 'bought on day one of a leading internet bank's listing' assumption can be computed precisely from that day's close.
Investment conditions
Asset · KakaoBank (323410) · lump-sum on IPO day, then held long-term
Method · Lump-sum (all at once)
Period · 2021-08-06 ~ 2026-07-01
Amount · $7,407
As of · 2026-07-01
Key metrics
These results do not reflect taxes. Based on historical data.
Buy and final prices are shown in the asset's local currency (US & crypto $, Japan ¥, Korea ₩). Total invested and final value are in Korean won (₩).
Risk & recovery
As important as returns. This service does not hide maximum drawdown or loss periods.
Maximum drawdown (MDD)
-82.8%
Largest drop from peak
Longest loss period
59months
Months in loss: 59
Recovery period
0months
Growth over time
Invested principal (dashed) and portfolio value (solid). Values below match the calculation.
Total invested $7,407 → Final value $2,307 (-68.8%), Maximum drawdown (MDD) -82.8%
Why this period and asset
August 6, 2021 is the day KakaoBank listed on the KOSPI, matching the start of this service's data. Listing at a 39,000-won offer price, it debuted spectacularly, surging about 79% on day one, and drew 'overvaluation' criticism with a market cap exceeding incumbent financial groups. But amid the later growth-stock correction and a shifting rate environment, the stock fell sharply for a long time from its early-listing peak.
Interpreting the result
This case shows the risk of 'buying a hyped stock in the excitement of a first-day surge.' If you bought at the first-day close and never sold, you get the metrics below; the surged early-listing price became your entry and heavily shaped the following years. Confirm alongside the maximum drawdown and loss periods that buzz and a first-day surge are not the same as a good buy.
Caveats & limits
Because the surged first-day price becomes your entry, a day-one buy of a stock with overvaluation concerns carries high risk. As a single stock, be mindful of survivorship bias. Figures use adjusted close, are in KRW, and exclude fees and taxes; the data window is short and limited as long-term statistics. Always review the maximum drawdown and loss periods.
Event fact sources
- CNBC — Shares of South Korea's Kakao Bank jump nearly 80% on trading debut (2021-08-06)
- KED Global, KakaoBank becomes Korea's most valuable lender (2021-08-06)
Requested date vs actual trading date
If the event date is a holiday, the fill uses the next trading day's close. The 'effective trading date' below is the date actually used. This calculation uses the first-day close.
Data sources & limits
- Price data source: Yahoo Finance / FinanceDataReader
- Collected on: 2026-07-28
- Effective trading date: 2026-07-01
- Price basis: Adjusted close (reflects dividends and stock splits)
- This asset is an individual stock chosen as of today, so past returns can look better than they really were (survivorship bias).
- Trading fees and taxes are not reflected — figures are pre-tax.
- Based on historical data; does not guarantee future returns.
Frequently asked questions
It surged 79% on day one — why could the result still be poor?
Because the surged first-day price itself becomes your entry. KakaoBank drew heavy overvaluation criticism with a market cap topping incumbent groups, then fell sharply for years from its early-listing peak amid the growth-stock correction. A first-day surge is not the same as a good buy.
Why use August 6, 2021 as the buy date?
KakaoBank's daily price data begins on its IPO day, August 6, 2021. That lets us compute the 'bought on day one of a leading internet bank's listing' assumption precisely from that day's close.
The data window is short — is that OK?
KakaoBank listed in 2021, so the window is only about five years. Short-window results depend heavily on a specific market phase and are hard to generalize. Treat this as reference only.
Are FX and taxes reflected?
As a domestic stock, figures are in KRW and FX is not applicable. Trading fees and taxes are not reflected — figures are pre-tax. This page only shows historical data and recommends no specific stock.
Related scenarios
📋 Results are based on historical data; past returns do not guarantee future returns.
📋 This service is provided for educational purposes to help you understand investing, not as investment advice.
⚠️ Calculated using today's representative assets, which may differ from the market composition at the time.