Rumors have it that she was ostracized.
Actress Ko Hyun Jung, once South Korea’s most beloved actress, shocked the nation when she left the entertainment industry at the peak of her fame in 1995 to marry Chung Yong Jin, vice chairman of Shinsegae and grandson of Samsung founder Lee Byung Chul. Their high-profile marriage was seen as a fairytale union between a top star and a third-generation chaebol heir. However, after eight years and two children, the couple finalized their divorce in just two hours in November 2003.
From the outset, Ko’s transition into the rigid and private chaebol world was turbulent. Rumors of marital discord plagued the couple throughout their marriage. Despite giving birth to a son in 1998 and a daughter in 2000, which temporarily silenced gossip, friction allegedly never fully resolved. Many rumors flew about how the family allegedly looked down on Ko for being a “ddanddara,” or entertainer. It was said that they often avoided speaking in Korean around her to ostracize her.
On the other hand, some reports claim that it was Ko’s flashy lifestyle that led to the divorce. The final blow was reportedly Ko’s late-night lifestyle, increasingly at odds with the image expected of a chaebol daughter-in-law. In particular, the theft of a corporate Porsche sports car she was using — a car owned by Shinsegae — reignited scrutiny. Ko reported the car stolen at 3am from Han River Park in Apgujeong, claiming she had left the keys inside while stepping away briefly. Her story changed multiple times, and media questioned what she was doing out alone at that hour, or more importantly, who she was with. Insiders later said that this latest incident — and the public embarrassment it caused — prompted Chung to move decisively toward divorce.
The couple agreed to part ways through court mediation. Ko received ₩1.5 billion (about $1.2 million) in alimony, but custody of their two children was awarded to Chung, a rare outcome in Korea.
Ko Hyun-jung’s marriage, once the envy of a nation, became a case study in the clash between celebrity and chaebol expectations. Her quiet exit from that world left many to reflect on the personal cost of becoming a “daughter-in-law of Samsung.”
