What if you bought NCsoft at its Lineage-hype record high?
This uses real data to show what would have happened if you had invested a lump sum in NCsoft (036570) on February 8, 2021 — the day it hit its intraday record high of 1,048,000 won amid a gaming-stock frenzy. We honestly examine the result of buying at the record-high peak of expectations.
⚠️ Know the risk first
After buying at the record high, the stock fell sharply. Judging the final return honestly requires viewing that drawdown and the long loss period together.
⚠️ 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 February 8, 2021, NCsoft hit its intraday all-time high of 1,048,000 won (that day close was about 995,000 won), powered by Lineage-mobile hopes and a gaming-stock frenzy. Afterward, disputes over new titles, gacha backlash, and slowing earnings pulled the stock well down from its peak.
Why this date
The buy date is the record-high day when expectations were hottest, computing the worst-timing question 'what if you bought at the very top.'
Investment conditions
Asset · NCsoft (036570) · lump-sum on its 2021 record-high day, then held long-term
Method · Lump-sum (all at once)
Period · 2021-02-08 ~ 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)
-86.3%
Largest drop from peak
Longest loss period
66months
Months in loss: 66
Recovery period
0months
Growth over time
Invested principal (dashed) and portfolio value (solid). Values below match the calculation.
Total invested $7,407 → Final value $1,920 (-74.1%), Maximum drawdown (MDD) -86.3%
Why this period and asset
February 8, 2021 was the day NCsoft hit its intraday record high of 1,048,000 won, powered by expectations for Lineage mobile titles and a gaming-stock frenzy. Hopes that 'Lineage M's success would continue' were fully priced in. But afterward, disputes over new-title performance, user backlash against the gacha (probability-based item) monetization model, and slowing earnings combined to pull the stock well down from its peak. Buying on this date means buying at the exact top, when expectations were hottest.
Interpreting the result
If you bought on the record-high day itself and never sold, check the final value and return in the metrics below. The core of this event is 'did you recover the price you paid at the peak of expectations, and how long were you underwater?' See — alongside the maximum drawdown and loss periods — that buzz and stock price are separate, and that a long decline and stagnation followed the record-high buy. Investing gradually each month instead of all at once would have reduced the risk of concentrating your buy at the top.
Caveats & limits
Buying at the record high is central to this event. Emphasizing only the final return hides the steep decline and long loss period that followed. As a single stock, be mindful of survivorship bias — even among popular gaming stocks, many never recovered after a peak. Figures use adjusted close and exclude fees and taxes (pre-tax). Past results do not guarantee the future.
Event fact sources
- TradingView — 036570 (NCsoft) historical high, 2021-02-08
- companiesmarketcap.com — NCsoft (036570.KS) stock price history
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.
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
Was that really NCsoft's record high?
Yes. On February 8, 2021, NCsoft recorded its intraday all-time high of 1,048,000 won (that day close was about 995,000 won). It was the peak of Lineage-mobile hopes and the gaming-stock frenzy.
The games were popular — why did the stock fall?
A game's popularity and its stock are separate. Disputes over new titles, user backlash against gacha monetization, and slowing earnings combined, so anyone buying at the peak had to endure a steep decline and long stagnation. Check the maximum drawdown and loss periods below.
Why use the record-high day as the buy date?
To honestly illustrate the worst-timing question: 'what happens if you buy at the very top when expectations are highest?' The drawdown and recovery from a record-high buy are the stars of this page.
Are FX and taxes reflected?
This is a Korean stock shown in won, so there is no exchange-rate variable. Trading fees and taxes are not reflected (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.