"Lee Jae-yong's popularity really soared to the sky"... Minister reveals the secret of the 'Shh Pose'

Explanation by Lee Young, Minister of SMEs and Startups at the scene
"Citizens cheering loudly while chanting Chairman Lee Jae-yong's name
Seems to mean to lower the volume as he is next to the President"

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong made a playful "shh" gesture toward the camera filming him, sparking a buzz online. Lee Young, Minister of SMEs and Startups, who was present at the scene, explained the reason behind this expression.

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong is making a playful expression and gesturing 'shh' toward the camera filming him. [Image source=Online community]

On the 7th, Minister Lee said, "Chairman Lee Jae-yong's photo has caused a sensation on the internet," adding, "It seemed like it was the first time for the heads of large corporations to visit a traditional market, but they cheerfully mingled with the merchants and enjoyed the outing together. However, Chairman Lee Jae-yong's popularity truly soared to the skies."

The minister explained, "Although the entire market was filled with cheers for the President, amidst that, the voices of merchants calling out specifically to Chairman Lee Jae-yong could be heard. Wherever he went, people kept asking to take photos and shake hands, so I think the pose of lowering his voice was probably because the President was nearby."

Earlier, on the 6th, President Yoon Suk-yeol visited Busan Kkangtong Market along with major group chairmen including Lee Jae-yong. Judging by the red necktie and the badge on his chest, the photo appears to have been taken during the visit to Busan Kkangtong Market.

A fictional YouTube video thumbnail image created by netizens, assuming Chairman Lee Jae-yong runs a YouTube channel. [Image source=Online Community]

Lee Jae-yong’s playful expression, rarely seen in his usual demeanor, attracted even more attention from netizens.

Online reactions included comments such as, "Looks like a deputy manager quietly heading home to avoid the second round of company dinner," "Curious about the situation where a chaebol chairman makes such a face," and "It’s refreshing to see such a mischievous expression instead of his usual taciturn look."

Additionally, memes using the photo also emerged. A parody styled like a YouTube thumbnail bore the caption, "Sneaking out without paying at Shilla Hotel behind my sibling’s back." This is a fictional YouTube video thumbnail image created by netizens imagining Lee Jae-yong running a YouTube channel.

Recently, some corporate heads have been sharing their daily lives with the public through social media (SNS), but Lee Jae-yong does not use personal social media. For this reason, whenever a particular expression or action of Lee Jae-yong is captured by the media at official events, it tends to become a hot topic.