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Splendid Inheritance

March 10, 2014

Many K-pop stars are making their famous fathers very proud

Model and actress Clara, right, whose real name is Lee Sung-min, drapes her arm around her father’s neck in the top photo captured from a TV show aired on Nov. 4. Her father, Lee Seung-kyu, is the lead vocalist of singing group Koreana, which sang the theme song “Hand in Hand” at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

By Park Si-soo

Like parent, like child?

In several cases, fathers’ blue-blooded sports DNA has manifested into an artistic talent in their children.

A case in point is pro baseball coach Kim Sung-gap and his daughter Kim Yoo-kyung, better known by her stage name U-ie. The senior Kim, 53, now serves as head coach of the Nexen Heroes’ second division team, while U-ie, 26, is a key member of K-pop girl band After School.

Her father earned fame in the late 1980s and 1990s for his outstanding performances on the baseball diamond, is still remembered as one of one of the best infielders in the history of the Korean baseball league. Likewise, U-ie is said to have outdone her peers in sports activities during childhood. During her high school years, she took part in major swimming competitions representing her school.

She made her debut as a singer in 2009 and instantly leaped to stardom thanks in part to her “healthy sexiness”

“I think my daughter is now much more popular than me,” Kim was quoted as saying. “I’m very proud of her.”

Another case in point is pro soccer coach Choi Yoon-kyum, 52, and his son Choi Min-ho, 23, better known by his stage name Minho. The senior Choi now serves as head coach of Vietnam’s pro soccer team FC HAGL (Hoang Ahn Gia Lai), while his son is a member of K-pop boy band SHINee, which is quickly gaining popularity across Asia.

Soccer star Hwang Sun-hong, 46, is regarded as a strong contender to join the league of parent-child celebrity duos. The former striker for the Korean national soccer team, who participated in four FIFA World Cups in a row, is now head coach of the FC Pohang Steelers.

His daughter Hwang Hyun-jin, 19, is expected to debut as a singer in April. Serving as leader of the eight-member girl band Ye.A, the junior Hwang is making last-minute preparations for the group’s debut, according to its management agency Kiroyy Group.

“Her voice is very attractive,” a Kiroyy official said, recalling her casting audition in 2012. “She is also very good at dancing and has strong leadership. So we selected her as leader of the band.”

K-pop star U-ie, right, talks with her father Kim Sung-gap, head coach of the Nexen Heroes’ second division team, in this photo captured from a TV show aired on May 30, 2010.

Another possible parent-child celebrity connection could be coming courtesy of slugger Hong Sung-heon, 38, of the Doosan Bears. His daughter Hong Hwa-ri, 9, made her debut as an actress early this week, featured in an episode of KBS TV’s drama “What a Nice Day.” Although she only appeared on screen for about five minutes, she made quite an impression.

There are also cases of children carrying on the family business.

Top model and actress Clara, whose real name is Lee Sung-min, is a daughter of Lee Seung-kyu, the lead vocalist of singing group Koreana, which sang the theme song “Hand in Hand” at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Jeon Boram, a member of K-pop girl band T-ara, is a daughter of Jeon Young-rok, a star musician and actor in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Then, there are stars who will probably never match the fame and fortune of their parents through no fault of their own.

Actor Yun Tae-young, 40, is the only son of Yun Jong-yong, former vice chairman of Samsung Electronics. In 2009, the 70-year-old was ranked second among the world’s best performing chief executive officers by the Harvard Business Review.

The junior Yun, who recently starred in the drama “Subaekhyang” has wealth estimated at 45 billion won ($41.98 million).

The father of Choi Si-won of Super Junior is former chief executive officer of the country’s leading maker of baby care products.

Actor Lee Kwang-hoon, better known as Phillip Lee, is the son of Simon S. Lee, chairman of STG Inc., a government contracting firm headquartered in Virginia. The junior Lee earned a bachelor’s degree from Boston University and a master’s degree from George Washington University.

Popular actor Lee Seo-jin, 43, is another case. His grandfather and father were bankers. The actor graduated from New York University with a bachelor’s degree in business. His personal wealth, mostly inherited from his parents, is estimated at 60 billion won, according to news reports.

There are several entertainers born into the families of powerful politicians including rapper Eun Ji-won, 36. He is a nephew of President Park Geun-hye. His grandmother was the elder sister of former President Park Chung-hee, father of the incumbent head of state.