Meet the Korean Actress with a Legendary Family Line in Vietnam

The illustrious lineage of actress Lee Se-hee (32), who recently received praise for her vibrant portrayal of a "hot girl" in the hit drama A Virtuous Business, has become a topic of fascination.

Recent posts on online communities like FM Korea have shed light on Lee’s extraordinary ancestry. Unlike the common Jeonju or Gyeongju Lee clans, her family’s origin is the rare Hwasan (Flower Mountain) Lee clan. While this lineage is relatively unknown in Korea, it is revered in Vietnam, where it holds significant historical importance.

The connection between the Hwasan Lee clan and Vietnam dates back exactly 800 years to 1224. During that time, Prince Ly Long Tuong, the son of Ly Anh Tong, the sixth king of Vietnam’s first independent dynasty, fled a coup with his family and followers. Traveling through Southern Song, Taiwan, Jin, and Mongolia, he eventually arrived at Hwasanpo, in modern-day Ongjin County, Hwanghae Province. His journey earned him the title of Vietnam’s first "boat person."

Upon learning of the arrival of a Vietnamese royal, the Goryeo court warmly welcomed Prince Ly Long Tuong and helped him settle in Korea, where he became the founder of the Hwasan Lee clan.

The historical significance of this hidden connection between Korea and Vietnam remained largely forgotten as both countries endured challenges under various dynasties. It wasn’t until 1992, when diplomatic relations between Korea and Vietnam were normalized, that this shared history resurfaced and gained renewed attention.

In 1995, the Vietnamese government officially recognized the existence of the Hwasan Lee clan and invited key figures from the family association to Vietnam. The Vietnamese Communist Party leadership personally greeted them at the airport, treating them with great respect.

The Vietnamese government later officially acknowledged the Hwasan Lee clan as descendants of the Ly royal family. They simplified procedures for clan members wishing to naturalize in Vietnam and formally invited the Hwasan Lee family to the annual Ly Thai To Birth Anniversary Festival, held on the 15th day of the third lunar month at Dendo Temple in Bac Ninh Province near Hanoi. At this event, the clan is treated with the honors due to royal descendants.

Vietnam's deep affection for the Ly Dynasty and the Hwasan Lee clan stems from the pride that locals hold for Hanoi, which Ly Thai To (Ly Cong Uan), the founder of the Ly Dynasty in 1009, established as the capital. Hanoi has since served as Vietnam’s capital for over 1,000 years, fueling nostalgia among Vietnamese citizens for the Ly Dynasty, which ended 800 years ago. This nostalgia has led to the Hwasan Lee clan being treated as esteemed figures in Vietnam.

As of 2015, it was estimated that 1,237 members of the Hwasan Lee clan lived in Korea. Among them, actress Lee Se-hee is the most prominent celebrity. Thanks to her unique ancestry, Lee Se-hee enjoys special treatment in Vietnam, where the Hallyu wave remains strong, paving her way to continued popularity and success in the country.