The 10-Year Romance Between Lee Jung Jae and “Chaebol Heiress” Lim Se Ryung

 

The 10-Year Romance Between Lee Jung Jae and “Chaebol Heiress” Lim Se Ryung – The Ex-Wife of Samsung’s Crown Prince

Lim Se Ryung is the heiress of Daesang Group and currently serves as its Vice Chairwoman. She hails from the Beom Sang Sang family on her father’s side and the Beom Geum Ho family on her mother’s side. Both families are chaebols, each owning their own conglomerates.

Timeline of Lim Se Ryung's Life:

1997: While a sophomore majoring in Business Administration at Yonsei University, Lim Se Ryung met Samsung’s “Crown Prince” Lee Jae Yong, through an arrangement by her mother and future mother-in-law, Hong Ra Hee, the wife of Samsung Chairman Lee Kun Hee.

1998: The couple married when Lim Se Ryung was 21 and Lee Jae Yong was 30.

2009: The couple divorced after having two children (a son and a daughter).

Relationship with Her In-Laws: Lim Se Ryung maintained a good relationship with her mother-in-law, Hong Ra Hee. Reports suggest that Chairman Lee Kun Hee also kept friendly ties with Lim Se Ryung's parents to the extent that he tried to prevent the divorce, even during hospitalization.

2015: Lim Se Ryung began dating actor Lee Jung Jae. In 2019, the couple and actor Jung Woo Sung were spotted hanging out together in Hong Kong.

Despite being a chaebol heiress, Lim Se Ryung is known for her approachable personality and is often seen casually interacting with regular female staff members.

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Lee Jung Jae’s Background:

In contrast, Lee Jung Jae endured financial struggles earlier in his life, with his assets frozen and living in a single-room apartment. He took on the role of the family’s breadwinner, caring for his physically disabled older brother.

"I had to play the role of the eldest son instead of my older brother and also had to act as the daughter who helped with household chores, which meant waking up early every day," he shared.

Initially, Lee Jung Jae did not pursue acting. He aimed for a career in architecture, interior design, or the arts. In high school, his art teacher recognized his talent and sent him to an art academy, where he received free training for college entrance exams.

Recently, Lee Jung Jae has gained global recognition for his role in Squid Game, and he was voted South Korea’s No. 1 celebrity in 2022.