What kind of birthday gift do you get a man who has everything?
How about a one-of-a-kind smartphone that costs a fortune and is almost ever-lasting?
That was what the executives at Samsung were aiming for when they pitched in to get Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Kun-hee a Galaxy smartphone blanketed in lacquer and inlaid with mother-of-pearl for this 72nd birthday this Wednesday.
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Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Kun-hee arrives at Shilla Hotel to attend his 72nd birthday party on Wednesday. (Yonhap News) |
The long-lasting materials represent timeless consistency, according to those close to Samsung. The phone was not revealed to the public.
Lee’s birthday was attended by his immediate family ― his wife Hong Ra-hee, son Jay-yong, daughters Boo-jin and Seo-hyun, and their children ― and also Samsung Group executives ranging from executive vice presidents to the chairpersons.
In total, more than 300 people attended the festivities that were held at Shilla Hotel, run by Boo-jin, Samsung sources said.
Jay-yong is vice chairman at Samsung Electronics, while Seo-hyun is executive vice president of Cheil Industries.
Entertainers were also invited: Sim Soo-bong, said to be one of the chairman’s favorite singers, and Joo Hyun-mi were among the old-timers who performed, while from the younger generation of idols, Sistar also helped celebrate Lee’s birthday.
Following the three-hour program, Lee, flanked by his son and Kwon Oh-hyun, another vice chairman at Samsung Electronics, left to participate in the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Kwon said that there were other business counterparts the Lee entourage was scheduled to meet in the United States.
By Kim Ji-hyun (
jemmie@heraldcorp.com)
