Whenever she appears alongside someone new, public curiosity inevitably follows—not because of her chaebol background alone, but because of who is standing next to 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, the fourth-generation member of the Daelim Group’s founding family and a fashion influencer, recently reignited interest in her connections after sharing photos with star chef Son Jong Won. On January 7, she posted several images on social media along with the caption, “I don’t want to watch episode 11. Itanic Garden is the best, I’m telling you.”
The restaurant she referenced, Itanic Garden, is a Korean fine-dining establishment 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—were awarded one Michelin star in the 2025 Michelin Guide, further elevating the attention surrounding their meeting.
In the photos, Lee Joo Young appears in an elegant dress adorned with intricate patterns and embroidery, standing beside Chef Son, who smiles warmly for the camera. Chef Son responded to the post with green heart and gratitude emojis, signaling a friendly rapport between the two.
Lee Joo Young also shared images from another visit to one of Chef Son’s restaurants, this time accompanied by actress Lee Min Jung and broadcaster Ahn Hyun Mo. The casual yet high-profile gathering of figures from entertainment, media, and gastronomy once again highlighted the breadth of her personal network.
The caption referencing “episode 11” was widely interpreted as a nod to Netflix’s hit culinary survival show Black and White Chef: Culinary Class Wars Season 2, where Chef Son is currently appearing. 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 paper-thin margin.” Lee Joo Young’s post appeared to express disappointment over his elimination.
This, however, is far from the first time Lee Joo Young’s connections have drawn 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. It is widely known that the two have been acquainted since the early days of BIGBANG’s debut, further fueling interest in their long-standing friendship.
Her ties to younger idols have also been well documented. Lee Joo Young’s friendship with Jang Wonyoung of IVE became a hot topic in early 2022 after photos surfaced of the two enjoying flying yoga together. Their casual interactions and social media exchanges naturally brought their relationship into the spotlight.
Beyond that, Lee Joo Young has been spotted with celebrities such as Son Na Eun and Jung Yu Mi, often in private, non-official settings—only adding to the intrigue surrounding her social circle.
Her connections extend beyond entertainment as well. She previously congratulated Annie (Moon Seo Yoon)—daughter of Shinsegae Chairwoman Chung Yoo Kyung and a member of the co-ed group ALLDAY PROJECT—on achieving first place on 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 actively working as a fashion influencer and attending global brand events, she has also drawn attention for her academic achievements, having graduated from Georgetown University and later revealing her acceptance into 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 sheer range of people she effortlessly connects with. As her network keeps expanding, public fascination with the chaebol heiress shows no sign of slowing down.
Sources: Daum