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Head-to-Head Comparison

Kim Ung-yong vs Max Planck

Kim Ung-yong (IQ 210) vs Max Planck (IQ 190). Side-by-side comparison of intellect, achievements, era and cultural impact.

Kim Ung-yong
b. 1962 · KR
210
Estimated IQ
Read full biography →
Max Planck
1858–1947 · DE
190
Estimated IQ
Read full biography →
Born19621858
Died1947
CountryKRDE
Estimated IQ 210 190
Best known forHaving one of the biggest IQs in the world.On the Second Principles of Mechanical Heat Theory (1879)

Who had the higher IQ?

By the most cited estimates, Kim Ung-yong tops this matchup with an estimated IQ of 210, a 20-point margin over Max Planck (190). IQ estimates for historical figures are reconstructions, not test results — they sit on top of biographical evidence, productivity, and the difficulty of the problems each person solved. Treat the number as a directional signal, not a verdict.

Achievements compared

Kim Ung-yong is best known for: Having one of the biggest IQs in the world. Max Planck is best known for: On the Second Principles of Mechanical Heat Theory (1879)

Recognition. Kim Ung-yong: —. Max Planck: Nobel Prize in Physics (1918) • Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Sciences (1926) • Lorentz Medal (1927) • Copley Medal (1929) • Max Planck Medal (1929) • Goethe Prize (1945).

Different eras, different boards

The two were born roughly 104 years apart (1962 vs 1858), which matters: scientific tools, available knowledge, and intellectual culture compound. Comparing minds across eras is comparing players on different boards.

The verdict

So who was greater? The honest answer: they're not strictly comparable. By raw IQ proxy, Kim Ung-yong edges out. By measurable, lasting influence in their respective field, both are anchors of the human record. If you have to pick one to bet civilization on, pick the one working on the problem you care about.

Frequently Asked

Who had the higher IQ, Kim Ung-yong or Max Planck?
Estimated IQs are 210 for Kim Ung-yong and 190 for Max Planck. Kim Ung-yong rates higher by 20 points. Historical IQ figures are reconstructions, not measured scores.
What is Kim Ung-yong most famous for?
Having one of the biggest IQs in the world.
What is Max Planck most famous for?
On the Second Principles of Mechanical Heat Theory (1879)
Did Kim Ung-yong and Max Planck ever meet?
They were contemporaries, though there is no documented direct meeting in our sources.

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