Introduction
In South Korea, the intersection of fame and fortune often leads to high-profile marriages between celebrities and wealthy businessmen. While love may be the foundation of many relationships, some high-profile marriages have sparked speculation about financial motivations. Here, we explore seven Korean actresses who married influential and affluent businessmen, making headlines for their unions.
1. Jun Ji-hyun and Choi Joon-hyuk
Jun Ji-hyun
Jun Ji-hyun, best known for My Love from the Star, is one of South Korea’s most famous actresses. Her striking beauty and acting talent have made her a household name in Korea and beyond. Before her marriage, she had built a lucrative career in films and dramas, as well as numerous endorsements that solidified her status as a top-tier celebrity. Her estimated net worth is $20 million.
Choi Joon-hyuk
Choi Joon-hyuk comes from an influential and wealthy family. He is the grandson of renowned hanbok designer Lee Young-hee and the CEO of Alpha Assets. His financial success and family influence have made him one of the most powerful businessmen in South Korea. His estimated net worth is $1 billion. The couple married on April 13, 2012, at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul, in a lavish wedding attended by top celebrities and business elites. They now have two children and reside in a luxury apartment in the exclusive I-Park complex in Samseong-dong, Gangnam.
2. Go Hyun-jung and Chung Yong-jin
Go Hyun-jung
Go Hyun-jung, a former Miss Korea runner-up and acclaimed actress, gained widespread fame through dramas like Sandglass. Her elegant image and acting prowess earned her critical and commercial success. Her estimated net worth is $12 million.
Chung Yong-jin
Chung Yong-jin, the vice chairman and CEO of Shinsegae Group, is the grandson of Samsung founder Lee Byung-chul. He is one of Korea’s wealthiest men, controlling a massive retail empire. His estimated net worth is $1.3 billion. The two tied the knot in 1995 at the Shilla Hotel in a grand ceremony attended by South Korea’s elite, including business moguls and political figures. During their marriage, Go lived a luxurious lifestyle, but their relationship ended in a highly publicized divorce in 2003. She lost custody of their two children and later made a successful comeback in the entertainment industry.
3. Lee Hye-young and a Wealthy Banker
Lee Hye-young
Lee Hye-young is a well-known actress and singer who enjoyed immense popularity in the entertainment industry. Her career has spanned various genres, from dramas to music and television hosting. Her estimated net worth is $8 million.
Wealthy Banker Husband
After experiencing financial hardships during her previous marriage to music producer Lee Sang-min, Lee Hye-young remarried a prominent banker and M&A expert in 2011. His estimated net worth is $500 million. Their wedding took place in Hawaii in an intimate ceremony. Her new husband’s financial stability ensured a more comfortable life, allowing her to invest in luxury real estate, including a penthouse in Cheongdam-dong.
4. Lee Young-ae and Jeong Ho-young
Lee Young-ae
Best known for her legendary role in Dae Jang Geum, Lee Young-ae has been a symbol of grace and elegance in Korean entertainment. Her acting career has been decorated with critical acclaim and commercial success. Her estimated net worth is $40 million.
Jeong Ho-young
Jeong Ho-young, a Korean-American businessman, made his fortune through investments in the medical and IT industries. He is a significant benefactor to philanthropic causes, funding scholarships and medical research. His estimated net worth is $800 million. The couple married in a private ceremony in the United States in August 2009, despite their 20-year age gap. They welcomed twins in 2011 and now live in a sprawling mansion in Hannam-dong, an area known for housing high-profile celebrities and business moguls.
5. So Yoo-jin and Baek Jong-won
So Yoo-jin
So Yoo-jin, famous for dramas like Five Enough, built a solid career in acting and television hosting. Her charm and likability made her a favorite among viewers. Her estimated net worth is $5 million.
Baek Jong-won
Baek Jong-won is a successful restaurateur and CEO of multiple food franchises, including The Born Korea. He has established himself as one of the leading figures in the Korean food industry. His estimated net worth is $120 million. The couple married on January 19, 2013, at the Seoul Plaza Hotel. Their three children and frequent public appearances have helped solidify Baek’s brand image as a family-oriented entrepreneur. They live in a luxurious home in Gangnam, worth several billion won, and frequently travel abroad for business and leisure.
6. Kyeon Mi-ri and Lee Hong-heon
Kyeon Mi-ri
Kyeon Mi-ri is a veteran actress known for her strong supporting roles in historical dramas. She has been active in the entertainment industry for decades and remains a respected figure. Her estimated net worth is $15 million.
Lee Hong-heon
Businessman Lee Hong-heon played a crucial role in ensuring financial stability for the couple. However, their reputation was affected when Lee was involved in a stock manipulation scandal in the early 2000s. His estimated net worth is $600 million. Despite this controversy, they continued to live a high-profile lifestyle. Lee Hong-heon also adopted Kyeon’s two daughters from her previous marriage—Lee Yu-bi and Lee Da-in—both of whom are now rising actresses. In 2023, Lee Da-in married actor Lee Seung-gi, strengthening their family’s celebrity-business connections.
7. Bae Yong-joon and Park Soo-jin
Park Soo-jin
Park Soo-jin was a rising actress before her marriage to Bae Yong-joon. Though she had appeared in several dramas, she was not as widely recognized compared to other actresses on this list. Her estimated net worth is $3 million.
Bae Yong-joon
Bae Yong-joon, a legendary actor known for Winter Sonata, had already amassed immense wealth through his entertainment career and business ventures. He invested in restaurants, real estate, and the entertainment industry, securing his position as one of the most financially successful actors in Korea. His estimated net worth is $700 million. The couple married on July 27, 2015, at Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul. Their real estate holdings are valued at billions of won, and they currently live in a luxurious villa in Seongbuk-dong, an area home to Korea’s elite. The couple welcomed their first child in 2016 and continue to live a lavish lifestyle, frequently traveling abroad.
Conclusion
While love is undoubtedly a major factor in these relationships, financial stability and social status often play a role in high-profile celebrity marriages. These seven actresses have not only built successful careers but also secured their futures through strategic marital choices. Whether for love or wealth, their unions continue to spark curiosity and admiration in the entertainment industry.
