On November 1, a barista identified as A shared their experience on Threads, recalling the unexpected encounter with the high-profile executive at an EDIYA Coffee store inside Hanwha Resort in Gyeongju, where A was working during the APEC summit.
“I’ve had a lot of special experiences, but meeting Chairman Lee Jae-yong was the most memorable,” A wrote, alongside several photos including one where the two are smiling with coffee in hand, and another showing them holding the ₩50,000 bill he gave them.
According to their post, Lee had initially walked past after receiving the drink with a quick thank-you. But moments later, he returned, pulled a ₩50,000 note from his pants pocket, and handed it to them.
“He was so handsome, classy, and kind,” A added. “I plan to frame this money and keep it as a family heirloom.”
The post instantly went viral, garnering over 300,000 views and nearly 10,000 likes within a day.
When one user asked, “Wait… the CEO of Samsung took money out of his pocket, not his wallet?”, A responded, “Yes, he seemed just like an ordinary man.”
Another follower asked how A felt in the moment. “My hands were shaking so much I could barely make the drink,” A replied. “It’s a memory I’ll always be grateful for.”
Lee Jae-yong had been attending the APEC CEO Summit held in Gyeongju on October 29. The following day, he drew additional media attention for his casual “chimaek” (chicken and beer) meetup with Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun and NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang a snapshot of global tech camaraderie in a relaxed Korean setting.
This small but meaningful story has touched netizens, reminding many that even the most powerful figures can leave lasting impressions with the simplest gestures.
Sources: naver
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