The Korean public widely believes that Lee’s parents decided to change her name from Lee Yoo-jin to Lee Boo-jin for better luck and a healthier body. The pronunciation of Boo is stronger than Yoo, and the character for Boo means rich. Chosun reported that she appeared to become healthier after changing her name.

She studied French and majored in children’s studies

Her choice of a local university is even more surprising considering that she studied French back in high school – at Daewon Foreign Language High School, no less, which is one of the best language schools in South Korea.

As the CEO of Hotel Shilla, her language skills must come in useful; Chosun Biz reports that she speaks perfect English and Japanese too.

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She had a sensational marriage

Lim began working at Samsung C&T Corporation in 1995, four years before the couple got married. When news of their marriage first broke, Samsung officially announced that they met when Lim took part in a company-organised volunteering activity. Chosun Biz reported that Lee’s parents, Samsung CEO Lee Kun-hee, and Hong Ra-hee, wouldn’t acknowledge their marriage; Lee even went on a hunger strike to persuade them.

However, Lim’s account was quite different. As per Hankyoreh, during their divorce proceedings he revealed that he was actually a private security guard for the Lee family. He said that Lee began relying on him, which led to them dating. He even expressed that he had no intention to take the relationship further, but Lee Kun-hee apparently encouraged him to marry her. So did Lim fabricate the “truth”, or did Samsung’s PR team?

She has a big heart

Among Samsung’s heirs, Lee might have the biggest heart. JoongAng Ilbo reported how she famously once offered up Shilla Stay’s rooms to victims of the massive fire in Ulsan in October 2020. But there’s another story that showcases her kindness too.

In 2014, a taxi crashed into the revolving doors of Hotel Shilla, injuring a hotel staff member and a hotel guest. The taxi driver had to pay almost 40 million won (US$36,000) in damages. However, instead of being angry that the driver damaged her business, Lee worried about him and requested her company’s vice-presidents to directly visit him at home to check on him. They discovered that he was living in a one-room flat and caring for his sick wife, who had suffered from a stroke.

After learning this, Lee decided to drop the charges and sent gifts of beef and cake instead.

After Chosun picked up the story, the Korean public showered her with praise for her generosity, and The Hankyoreh even reported that, according to a survey, she became rated the No 1 CEO role model at the time.

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She’s a fashion icon

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