'The living legend of fashion' Lee Gwang-hee reveals the behind-the-scenes story tied to a chaebol family's wedding dress, famous as a 'three-generation inheritance,' and bares the grievances he felt during the 'high-ranking officials clothing bribery case' that shook Korea in 1999.
Today (26) at 9:55 p.m., EBS's Seo Jang-hoon's Neighbor Millionaire (hereinafter "Neighbor Millionaire") features Kim Hee-ae·Jang Mi-hee·Jung Yoon-hee and other top stars representing the era, as well as the "national treasure-level designer" Lee Gwang-hee, who had been responsible for the style of first ladies. Lee Gwang-hee quickly rose to fame as a star designer by creating Won Mi-kyung's "rich daughter look" in the national drama Love and Truth, which recorded a miracle 80% viewership. At that time, Namdaemun Market was flooded with knockoffs labeled "Won Mi-kyung clothes," and her fashion shows sold out every night, prompting a sensational boom for "Lee Gwang-hee style."
However, at the height of his popularity in 1999, Lee Gwang-hee was unfairly embroiled in a massive scandal known as the "clothing bribery case." The "clothing bribery case" began with allegations that a chaebol chairman's wife provided expensive clothes as bribes to the wives of high-ranking officials, and it became a mega-incident that turned the country upside down, even prompting a parliamentary hearing. In the process, speculative reports abounded claiming that "Designer L from Namsan gifted clothes to high-ranking political figures," and the arrow of suspicion naturally pointed at Lee Gwang-hee. When Seo Jang-hoon asked, "Did you have any connection to that case?", Lee Gwang-hee firmly said, "I had nothing to do with it," and voiced his grievances. The shock he revealed at the time—saying, "I was the only L designer in Namsan"—and the arduous process until the truth was uncovered are revealed in more detail on Neighbor Millionaire.
Meanwhile, Lee Gwang-hee is also known as Korea's "chaebol family wedding dress designer." The "Hyun○ family wedding dress," which caused a sensation as it was worn by three generations—mother-in-law·sister-in-law·daughter-in-law—was also born from her hands. Lee Gwang-hee displays her characteristic elegant confidence, saying, "Almost the scions of prominent chaebol families wore my wedding dresses." Through Neighbor Millionaire, she goes on to present the concise yet dignified world of chaebol ceremonial attire.
In addition, viewers can learn about Lee Gwang-hee's special story of going to Africa for 17 years and the identity of the "great legacy" she inherited from parents who willingly gave everything for neighbors in need.
[Photo] "Neighbor Millionaire"
[OSEN]