The KOSPI climbed back above 6,200 in early trade before fading to 6,078.77, up 0.9 percent.
Samsung Electronics led the recovery, rising 3.9 percent to 228,500 South Korean won (US$157), while SK hynix barely moved, edging up 0.1 percent to 1,551,000 won.
That divergence shaped the session, as local brokerages cut memory-sector targets this week amid concerns over a demand peak and potential supply shocks from China, with traders viewing SK hynix's weaker-than-expected performance as reflecting pressure on the pure memory chip maker.
The split ran through the market. The large-cap KOSPI 200 rose 1.1 percent to 956.49, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ fell 1.5 percent to 695.04, moving the other way from the main index in Seoul.
Foreigners net bought 264.1 billion won and institutions 836.3 billion won on the main board, against 1.11 trillion won of individual selling, according to intraday exchange data.
Advancers led decliners 521 to 337. Buying spread well beyond chips. Hyundai Motor rose 3.6 percent to 377,000 won and KB Financial gained 2.1 percent to 168,600 won, while defensives led the sector board, with tobacco and food both up more than 3.7 percent.
Hanwha Aerospace fell 1.1 percent to 865,000 won, while LG Energy Solution dropped 0.3 percent to 313,000 won.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 edged up 0.1 percent.
The won traded at 1,455.00 per dollar, slightly stronger than the previous session.
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