A Seat Worth 17 Million Won: The Unmatched Gift Lee Boo-jin Gave Her SNU-Bound Son

[Financial News] The lives of chaebol families depicted in dramas are not just fiction. Lee Boo-jin, president of Hotel Shilla, was seen in San Francisco with her eldest son, Im Dong-hyun, who recently secured early admission to Seoul National University (SNU). The seats they occupied were ultra-premium, ones that most people may never experience in their lifetime.
On the 3rd (local time), at the Chase Center in San Francisco, the Golden State Warriors faced the Utah Jazz in an NBA game. When the broadcast camera panned to the front row, two familiar faces appeared: Lee Boo-jin and her son, Im Dong-hyun.
The scene was reminiscent of a real-life version of 'Boys Over Flowers.' Im Dong-hyun, who recently proved his stellar credentials by gaining admission to SNU for the 2026 academic year, sat beside his mother, Lee Boo-jin, whose timeless beauty drew attention. Together, they shone even brighter than any Hollywood star in the arena.
What truly captured the public’s attention was the price tag of their seats. The courtside front row, so close to the action that you could see the players’ sweat, cost a staggering $12,000 (about 17.35 million won) per ticket.
This sum is equivalent to four years of university tuition, all spent on a single game. Many interpreted this as a lavish gift from a mother to her son, celebrating his remarkable achievement of being admitted to SNU.

Lee’s 'chaebol lady' fashion also became a hot topic. She paired an elegant beige turtleneck with luxurious drop earrings, holding a Samsung Galaxy Fold while enjoying the game with her son. When the ball rolled toward her during the match, she was momentarily surprised but soon smiled with composure, perfectly embodying effortless grace.
Im Dong-hyun, who graduated from Whimoon High School and reportedly missed only one question on the college entrance exam, also drew attention with his good looks. Wearing a gray sweatshirt and glasses, he exuded the aura of a model student, yet his refined presence reflected his status as a fourth-generation chaebol. Soon, he will walk the campus as a junior to his uncle, Lee Jae-yong, chairman of Samsung Electronics and an SNU alumnus.
Upon hearing the news, netizens commented, “This is the world they live in,” “He’s smart and comes from a great family—what a life,” “I can’t even imagine sitting in a 17 million won seat,” and “With Lee Boo-jin as your mother and SNU as your school, life really is like a drama,” expressing a mix of envy and admiration.
The glamorous outing of this mother and son, who seem to have it all, goes beyond a simple update—it provides the public with both vicarious satisfaction and a tinge of jealousy.
jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter