From a fruit and vegetable store to a global empire, Samsung’s story is more than business - it’s an epic family saga. Behind the success lies a dynasty driven by ambition, wealth, tradition and rivalries, where power struggles shaped not just the company but South Korea’s economy.

Everyone’s heard of Samsung; more than a billion people have one of their smart phones. This is the drama behind the tech giant that changed the world.

For most of Samsung’s history, the ruling Lee family was all but untouchable. But when the chairman has a huge heart attack, his heir is pushed into the spotlight. The complex manoeuvring to secure his fragile succession re-opens old family wounds, prompts one of the biggest scandals in South Korea’s history, and - eventually - helps bring down a president.

In this brand-new 10-part series from the BBC World Service, we take you behind closed doors - inside the billion-dollar deals and the family power struggles that shape global empires. In these dynasties, the boardroom isn’t just about profit - it’s about survival.

Hosted by journalist and podcaster Elise Hu.

Episode ID: 1000753997278

GUID: urn:bbc:podcast:p0n5hf3g

Release Date: 09/03/2026, 11:25:00