A new BBC World Service podcast will examine how family power struggles shape global business, beginning with Samsung.
Inheritance: Samsung launches on Monday 23 March as the first season in a new series exploring the dynasties behind major international companies.
Told across ten episodes, the podcast charts the rise of Samsung from a fruit and vegetable store to a multi-billion-dollar technology conglomerate. It examines the influence of the ruling Lee family on both the company and South Korea’s economy.
For much of its history, the Lee family has been seen as central to the country’s economic stability. When the company’s chairman suffers a heart attack, however, succession tensions resurface.
The struggle to secure leadership leads to a major political scandal and contributes to the downfall of a South Korean president.
The series is hosted by Elise Hu, former Seoul bureau chief for NPR and current host of TED Talks Daily. Contributors include Geoffrey Cain, author of Samsung Rising, BBC reporter Jake Kwon, Jaeyeon Lee of Hankyoreh and Dr Sojin Lim from the University of Lancashire.
Elise says: “This real-life, international succession story has everything: bribery, romance, theme parks… and even show horses.
“The twists and turns are almost too far-fetched to believe. But it all happened, and I’m thrilled to share this incredible true story with listeners around the world.”
Jon Manel, Commissioning Editor at BBC World Service, says: “There are some truly remarkable family firms which have grown in a way that the original founders could never have imagined – and this podcast is all about telling the stories of the businesses and the families behind them.”
The first two episodes will be released on 23 March, with new episodes published weekly. UK listeners can access the full box set on BBC Sounds, while international audiences can listen via BBC.com.
The series will also air weekly on BBC World Service radio from Saturday 28 March. A second season has already been commissioned.
