Samsung’s Chairman Returns to the Throne
In the latest round of the 2025 September Netizen Awards, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong surged back to the No. 1 spot in the business leader category with 2,482 votes, capturing 39.8% of the total. After briefly losing the title to Lotte’s Shin Dong-bin in August, Lee’s return highlights the fierce tug-of-war between Korea’s corporate powerhouses.
Shin Dong-bin Holds Strong at No. 2
Shin Dong-bin, Chairman of the Lotte Group, still drew an impressive 2,041 votes (32.8%). Despite relinquishing the top spot, Shin’s consistently high numbers reveal a solid base of supporters. With the competition heating up, all eyes are on the October results.
Middle of the Pack—Who’s Holding Steady?
Trailing behind the frontrunners, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun held third place with 704 votes (11.3%). In fourth came Shinsegae’s Jung Yong-jin with 322 votes (5.2%), followed by Hotel Shilla CEO Lee Boo-jin in fifth with 284 votes (4.6%). All three have built loyal fan bases over time and remain steady forces in the rankings.
Industry Leaders Round Out the Top 10
- 6th: LG Group’s Koo Kwang-mo – 144 votes (2.3%)
- 7th: CJ Group’s Lee Jae-hyun – 137 votes (2.2%)
- 8th: Hanwha Group’s Kim Seung-youn – 68 votes (1.1%)
- 9th: Hyundai Group’s Hyun Jung-eun – 27 votes (0.4%)
- 10th: SK Group’s Chey Tae-won – 23 votes (0.4%)
The rankings underscore the diversity of leadership styles and public recognition among Korea’s biggest conglomerates—or chaebols, as they’re locally known.
A Battle of Public Image and Influence
This latest head-to-head between Lee and Shin isn’t just a popularity contest—it’s becoming a public barometer of corporate brand equity. Fan-driven and heavily influenced by online communities, the Netizen Awards are reshaping how business leaders engage with the public.
October’s results could flip the leaderboard again. As fandom-driven voting picks up steam, these corporate icons are stepping into a new arena—part business, part buzz.
Fun Fact:
Lee Jae-yong’s 24-year-old son, Lee Ji-ho, recently gained attention by enlisting in the Navy as an officer. While his father didn’t attend the enlistment ceremony, the event stirred conversation among fans and the public alike.
