"I Saw Samsung's Lee Jayyong in Person"... China Abuzz Over Shopping Mall Sighting

Lee Jaeyong Spotted at Beijing Shopping Mall
"Bought Labubu" Rumor Goes Viral, but Samsung Says "Did Not Purchase"
Ranks on Baidu's Real-Time Search, Drawing Local Attention

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, who accompanied President Lee Jaemyung on his state visit to China as part of the economic delegation, was reportedly spotted at a shopping mall in Beijing, drawing significant attention from local Chinese media.

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong spotted at a shopping mall in Beijing, China. Weibo capture

'Economic Delegation to China' Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Rumored to Have Purchased Labubu at Beijing Shopping Mall... Samsung Denies

According to Chinese local media outlet Jimu News on the 6th, Chairman Lee visited the JD Mall in Beijing the previous day, accompanied by his entourage, including an interpreter. The outlet reported, "Chairman Lee appeared at the Shuangjing branch of JD Mall in Chaoyang District, Beijing," and added, "One store employee said Chairman Lee bought a Labubu and took it with him." Labubu is a character doll from Pop Mart, a Chinese brand that enjoys global popularity. However, Samsung clarified that Chairman Lee did not purchase a Labubu.

Citing a staff member from the JD Mall's furniture section, the media reported, "Chairman Lee's group arrived at the shopping mall around 2 p.m. There were about six to seven people in total, including one interpreter." The staff member reportedly did not initially recognize Chairman Lee and added, "Chairman Lee inquired about products such as sofas and toilets and also browsed other stores."

In photos circulating online, Chairman Lee is seen walking inside the shopping mall with his entourage, dressed in a suit with a red tie. In another photo, he is seen wearing a gray padded vest over his suit.

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong spotted at a shopping mall in Beijing, China. Weibo capture

Ranks on Baidu's Real-Time Search... China Abuzz

The story that "Samsung's leader Lee Jae-yong bought a Labubu" made it onto the real-time search rankings of Baidu, China's largest portal site, reflecting the high level of local interest in the sightings. Chinese netizens reacted with comments such as, "A Korean chaebol bought a Labubu," "Did he buy it for his daughter?" and "He seems relatable."

Meanwhile, Chairman Lee visited China as part of the presidential economic delegation and attended the Korea-China Business Forum held at Diaoyutai in Beijing on January 5. The event, organized in conjunction with President Lee's state visit to China, was attended by Chairman Lee, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, and numerous business leaders from both countries, including the heads of Korea's four major conglomerates.