From Boardrooms to Basketball Courts
Hey everyone! So, you know how we’re used to seeing K-Pop idols at big events, but this time, the camera caught a different kind of Korean celebrity. We’re talking about Lee Boo-jin, the President and CEO of Hotel Shilla and, yes, an heiress to the Samsung empire. She was spotted sitting courtside at an NBA game, creating a huge buzz online! She was at the Chase Center in San Francisco on January 3rd with her son, Im Dong-hyeon, watching the Golden State Warriors play against the Utah Jazz. It was such a sweet and surprisingly normal mom-son date for one of the most influential figures in Korea.
So, Who Exactly is Lee Boo-jin?
For those of you who might not know, Lee Boo-jin is basically Korean royalty in the business world. She’s the daughter of the late Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee, making her part of the family that runs one of the biggest tech giants globally. But she’s a powerhouse in her own right, leading the super successful Hotel Shilla and Shilla Duty-Free businesses. She’s known for her sharp business sense and elegant style, often being called one of the most powerful and wealthy women in Asia. Seeing her in a casual setting, just enjoying a game, is super rare and totally cool.
A Well-Deserved Celebration
The timing of this little trip is what makes it extra special. Her son, Im Dong-hyeon, was recently accepted into Seoul National University (SNU) through their early admissions process for the 2026 academic year. If you’re not familiar with Korean universities, SNU is like the Harvard or Yale of Korea—it’s *the* top school, and getting in is incredibly competitive. Her son is apparently a genius who almost got a perfect score on the Korean SATs (CSAT), missing only one question! So, this NBA game feels like a proud mom celebrating her son’s huge academic achievement. They were seen chatting with their shoulders touching and just enjoying the game together, which is honestly so wholesome.
Not Their First Rodeo
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time the pair has been spotted at an NBA game. Last year, they were also seen watching an LA Clippers game in Los Angeles. It seems like it might be a fun tradition for them! This time, they were sitting in prime courtside seats, reportedly worth around $12,000, right next to the player’s bench. The cameras caught Lee Boo-jin clapping for the players and filming the action on her phone, just like any other fan. It’s a fun, relatable side to a family that’s usually only seen in a business context.
