Discover the Surprising Connection Between Lee Seo-jin and Smoothie King: A Deep Dive into His Unique Relationship

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▲ Actor Lee Seo-jin revealed his connection with the Smoothie King CEO. Source: Smoothie King website; screenshot from YouTube’s ‘Channel 15’

[SPOTV News=Reporter Heo Na-won] Actor Lee Seo-jin opened up about his longtime ties to the owner of Smoothie King.

On March 24, Lee appeared on a live stream of the YouTube channel Channel 15. He joined producer Na Young-seok and writer Kim Dae-ju to share behind-the-scenes stories from Lee Seo-jin’s new Netflix series Dalla Dalla, which premiered that day.

Na kicked off the conversation by bringing up Smoothie King. “We couldn’t skip the Smoothie King story,” he said, adding that he had visited the company headquarters and asking Lee if he had a special connection to the brand.

Lee said it’s one of his favorite drinks and revealed that the owner of Smoothie King is Korean and has been close to his family since childhood.

He explained that the owner initially ran Smoothie King in Korea and later acquired the U.S. chain, growing the American headquarters into a major company based in Dallas, Texas. Lee said they became close through acquaintances from college.

Lee added that his relationship with the brand led him to model for Smoothie King, collaborate on a promotional item dubbed the “Lee Seo-jin Sandwich,” and even pose shirtless for a photoshoot — the reasons behind the campaign, he joked.

Na said he had been curious about the U.S. operation and was able to visit thanks to Lee. Lee quipped, “I consider it my company,” drawing laughter from the group.

Kim Seong-wan, who opened Smoothie King’s first store in Korea in 2003, made headlines in 2012 when he acquired the U.S. parent company.

This isn’t the first time Lee has surprised audiences with his connections. In November, on SBS’s My Too-Picky Manager — The Secretaries, he highlighted his friendship with Annie of All Day Project. Annie referred to Lee as “uncle,” saying that her parents and Lee have been close friends since high school.

Lee is also well known for his privileged background and ties to the finance sector. His grandfather served as president of Seoul Bank, led Jeil Bank, and sat on the Monetary Policy Committee; his father was CEO of Anheung Mutual Savings and Credit. Lee studied business at New York University and previously worked as an executive at an asset management firm.