K-drama “Queen of Tears” is based on a real-life marriage story of a Samsung heiress?  

The wedding between the third-generation Samsung heiress and the Cinderella groom once shook the entire country, sparking a half-decade-long divorce battle.

Lee Boo Jin, blessed with both striking beauty and business acumen like her father, oversees the luxurious Shilla Hotel and restaurant chain in Seoul. She’s the second daughter of Samsung’s multinational conglomerate chairman Lee Kun Hee, with a portfolio including about 100 subsidiaries spanning finance, construction, various retail chains, and the iconic Samsung technology brand. Her grandfather founded the precursor to Samsung, an electronics conglomerate.

Similarly, Hong Haein in K-drama “Queen of Tears” (played by Kim Jiwon) is also a third-generation heir of the Queen Group conglomerate. She’s tasked with managing the Queen shopping center, while her younger brother oversees Queen Mart supermarkets.

Im Woojae, Lee Boo Jin’s ex-husband, was a university graduate and technical staff member at Samsung C&T’s IT department before marrying her. 

On the other hand, Baek Hyun Woo (portrayed by Kim Soo Hyun) graduated from a prestigious law school and joined the Queen Group as a new employee. His background appeared slightly more affluent, with his parents owning a large countryside farm.

Their first encounter occurred at a Samsung Foundation charity event in 1995 when Lee Boo-Jin, then 25, was an undercover intern at the company, much like Haein. Their internships led to a blossoming relationship, relying heavily on Lee Boo-jin’s then-husband’s support, unaware of her background.

The wedding of Lim Woo Jae and Lee Boo Jin, defying societal norms, took place in August 1999, sparking a media frenzy akin to a TV drama plot. Yet, not long after, their marriage encountered strains, leading to Lee Boo Jin filing for divorce in 2014, securing custody of their son.

Despite airing only two episodes, viewers are left wondering how Haein convinced her family to accept this unconventional marriage. Similarly, after just three years of marriage, Baek Hyun Woo found himself filing for divorce.

Post-wedding, the newly-appointed Samsung heir was sent to study in the US, arranged by his wife’s family, requiring an MBA from MIT, vastly different from his undergraduate degree. 

“The preparation for studying abroad was the most challenging period of my life. I was in crisis to the point of attempting suicide. I hugged my wife and cried like a child,” Lim Woo Jae confessed. Over the following 7 years, the couple navigated a long-distance relationship, meeting only on special occasions due to their demanding careers.

In the divorce proceedings, Lim Jae Woo allegedly fabricated evidence by his wife’s lawyer, accusing him of alcoholism, laziness, and domestic violence. Similarly, the Samsung scion criticized his wife for hindering his role as a husband and father.

Similarly, Hyun Woo was coerced by his wife’s family to pursue an MBA in Boston despite being a lawyer and representing the conglomerate’s legal department. They even contemplated kicking him out post-childbirth. In a poignant moment, he confides in a psychiatrist, expressing a preference for being stabbed over his father-in-law discovering his divorce petition.

Both husbands married out of pure love, ascending to high positions within the conglomerate post-marriage. They both excel in business, with Lee Boo Jin earning the moniker “Little Lee Kun Hee.”

Lee Boo Jin’s passion for fashion is evident, with her wardrobe becoming a hot topic at company events. She even has custom-made accessories bearing her name. Similarly, Hong Haein’s outfits reflect her emotions, opting for vibrant colors in tense scenes and more subdued tones when content.

While dramas romanticize reality, the scriptwriter offers Hong Haein and Baek Hyun Woo’s marriage an escape route, an opportunity for mutual understanding.

In reality, Lee Boo Jin and her husband’s divorce saga ended bitterly after five years. Initially entitled to a significant share of her assets, he received less than 1%, resigning from his position at Samsung Electro-Mechanics and returning to his original status.