Whenever she appears alongside someone new, the audience’s curiosity inevitably follows, not only about her chaebol background, but about those around her. From top K-pop idols to A-list actors, and now even a Michelin-starred chef, the ever-growing circle of Lee Joo Young, a fourth-generation chaebol heiress, continues to surprise both the entertainment and lifestyle industries.
Lee Joo Young, a fourth-generation member of Daelim Group’s founding family and fashion influencer, recently reignited interest in her connections after sharing photos with star chef Son Jong Won. On January 7, he posted several images on social media along with the caption: “I don’t want to watch episode 11. Itanic Garden is the best, I assure you.”
The restaurant he referenced, Itanic Garden, is a fine-dining Korean restaurant located inside Josun Palace Seoul Gangnam, led by chef Son Jong Won. Both Itanic Garden and another restaurant associated with Son, La Mange Secret at L’Escape Hotel, received a Michelin star in the 2025 Michelin Guide, further increasing the buzz around their meeting.
In the photos, Lee Joo Young appears in an elegant dress decorated with intricate patterns and embroidery, standing next to Chef Son, who smiles warmly at the camera. Chef Son responded to the post with green heart and gratitude emojis, signaling a friendly relationship between the two.
Lee Joo Young also shared pictures from another visit to one of Chef Son’s restaurants, this time accompanied by actress Lee Min Jung and broadcaster Ahn Hyun Mo. The informal yet high-profile gathering of entertainment, media and food figures once again highlighted the breadth of his personal network.
The caption refers “episode 11” was widely interpreted as a nod to Netflix’s popular culinary survival show Black and White Chef: Culinary Class Wars Season 2where Chef Son currently appears. In episode 11, released the previous day, Chef Son narrowly lost a one-on-one battle against a rival chef, receiving the verdict of “losing by a razor-thin margin.” Lee Joo Young’s post seemed to express disappointment at his elimination.
This, however, is not the first time that Lee Joo Young’s connections have attracted public attention.
Previously, she made headlines after sharing photos with G-Dragon, including images taken at his concert and what appeared to be a backstage or waiting area. The two have been known to know each other since the early days of BIGBANG’s debut, further fueling interest in their longtime friendship.
His connections with younger idols have also been well documented. Lee Joo Young’s friendship with IVE’s Jang Wonyoung became a hot topic in early 2022 after photos surfaced of the two enjoying in-flight yoga together. Their casual interactions and exchanges on social media naturally brought their relationship into the spotlight.
Beyond that, Lee Joo Young has been spotted with celebrities like Son Na Eun and Jung Yu Mi, often in private and unofficial settings, only adding intrigue to her social circle.
His connections go beyond entertainment. She previously congratulated Annie (Moon Seo Yoon), daughter of Shinsegae Chung Yoo Kyung president and member of the mixed group ALLDAY PROJECT, for taking first place in a music show. In July last year, Lee Joo Young shared a heartfelt post alongside model Irene and Annie, praising the latter’s perseverance and dedication in preparing for her debut.
Lee Joo Young is known as the granddaughter of Lee Joon Yong, honorary chairman of Daelim Group, and the daughter of Lee Hae Chang, CEO of Comtec. While she actively works as a fashion influencer and attends global brand events, she has also attracted attention for her academic achievements, having graduated from Georgetown University and later revealing her acceptance to Georgetown Law School in 2024.
With her presence spanning business, fashion, entertainment and now fine dining, Lee Joo Young continues to command attention, not through controversy, but through the wide range of people she effortlessly connects with. As her network continues to expand, the public’s fascination with the chaebol heiress shows no signs of slowing.
Sources: Daum
