Inheritance: Samsung

Epizódy

• Introducing Inheritance: Samsung 09.03.2026 3min

  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.
• 1. My kingdom for a horse 23.03.2026 25min

  In 2017, the heir to South Korea’s biggest company is facing jail, leaving it with an uncertain future. After 80 years of business, how did Samsung get here? And how did a deal meant to secure family control of the company go so wrong?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. When your relatives are also your business partners, every decision is personal. In these dynasties, the boardroom is not just about profit - it is about survival.Presenter: Elise Hu Producers: Simon Tulett and Sally Abrahams Fact-checkers: Matt Toulson and Su-Min Hwang Music: Thomas Ross Fitzsimons Sound engineer: Charlie Brandon-King. Series editor: Matt Willis With special thanks to Geoffrey Cain, Sojin Lim, Jaeyeon Lee, Jake Kwon and, also, Mary Wilkinson. Senior commissioning producer: Sarah Green Commissioning editor: Jon ManelInheritance is a BBC Long Form Audio production
• 2. Move fast and break things 23.03.2026 25min

  Samsung started as a fruit and vegetable business, but growth in the 1950s leaves it vulnerable to political interference. Its chairman makes a deal to ensure its survival, but is instead hit with a scandal which could derail the whole company. How did Samsung get through to become the global tech giant we know today?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. When your relatives are also your business partners, every decision is personal. In these dynasties, the boardroom isn’t just about profit - it’s about survival.Host: Elise Hu Producers: Simon Tulett and Sally Abrahams Fact-checkers: Matt Toulson and Su-Min Hwang Music: Thomas Ross Fitzsimons Mixing and sound design: Charlie Brandon-King. Series editor: Matt Willis With special thanks to Geoffrey Cain, Sojin Lim, Jaeyeon Lee, Jake Kwon and, also, Mary Wilkinson. Senior commissioning producer: Sarah Green Commissioning editor: Jon ManelInheritance is a BBC Long Form Audio production
• 3. The princes’ rebellion 30.03.2026 20min

  When Samsung’s chairman has to choose who will take over the business once he’s gone, he looks to his three sons. But a betrayal from within the heart of the family shakes up the succession. Which member of the Lee family should take the top job?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. When your relatives are also your business partners, every decision is personal. In these dynasties, the boardroom isn’t just about profit - it’s about survival.Host: Elise Hu Producers: Simon Tulett and Sally Abrahams Fact-checkers: Matt Toulson and Su-Min Hwang Music: Thomas Ross Fitzsimons Mixing and sound design: Charlie Brandon-King Series editor: Matt Willis With special thanks to Geoffrey Cain, Sojin Lim, Jaeyeon Lee, Jake Kwon and Mary Wilkinson Senior commissioning producer: Sarah Green Commissioning editor: Jon ManelInheritance is a BBC Long Form Audio production
• 4. Shoes to fill 06.04.2026 20min

  In the 1980s KH Lee takes charge of Samsung, but the business is struggling in a competitive global electronics market. It’s up to him to turn it around, and secure its future for the next generation with a complex succession plan.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. When your relatives are also your business partners, every decision is personal. In these dynasties, the boardroom isn’t just about profit - it’s about survival.Host: Elise Hu Producers: Simon Tulett and Sally Abrahams Fact-checkers: Matt Toulson and Su-Min Hwang Music: Thomas Ross Fitzsimons Mixing and sound design: Charlie Brandon-King Series editor: Matt Willis With special thanks to Geoffrey Cain, Sojin Lim, Jaeyeon Lee, Jake Kwon and Mary Wilkinson Senior commissioning producer: Sarah Green Commissioning editor: Jon ManelInheritance is a BBC Long Form Audio production
• 5. Cinderella and the prince 13.04.2026 22min

  Things are changing at Samsung as the business looks to the internet for success. But when the dot-com bubble bursts, the company is left exposed to some awkward questions.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. When your relatives are also your business partners, every decision is personal. In these dynasties, the boardroom isn’t just about profit - it’s about survival.Host: Elise Hu Producers: Simon Tulett and Sally Abrahams Fact-checkers: Matt Toulson and Su-Min Hwang Music: Thomas Ross Fitzsimons Mixing and sound design: Charlie Brandon-King Series editor: Matt Willis With special thanks to Geoffrey Cain, Sojin Lim, Jaeyeon Lee, Jake Kwon and Mary Wilkinson Senior commissioning producer: Sarah Green Commissioning editor: Jon ManelInheritance is a BBC Long Form Audio production
• 6. Octopus 20.04.2026 18min

  Samsung finds global recognition through a relentless focus on quality and a little help from Hollywood. But in the mid-2000s, its leaders come under pressure about alleged bribery.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. When your relatives are also your business partners, every decision is personal. In these dynasties, the boardroom isn’t just about profit - it’s about survival.Host: Elise Hu Producers: Simon Tulett and Sally Abrahams Fact-checkers: Matt Toulson and Su-Min Hwang Music: Thomas Ross Fitzsimons Mixing and sound design: Charlie Brandon-King Series editor: Matt Willis With special thanks to Geoffrey Cain, Sojin Lim, Jaeyeon Lee, Jake Kwon and Mary Wilkinson Senior commissioning producer: Sarah Green Commissioning editor: Jon ManelInheritance is a BBC Long Form Audio production
• 7. The crown slips 27.04.2026 21min

  The Lee family suffers a devastating personal loss, quickly followed by claims of professional wrongdoing. Samsung is left without a Lee family member in charge. Can it be brought back under their control?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. When your relatives are also your business partners, every decision is personal. In these dynasties, the boardroom isn’t just about profit - it’s about survival.Host: Elise Hu Producers: Simon Tulett and Sally Abrahams Fact-checkers: Matt Toulson and Su-Min Hwang Music: Thomas Ross Fitzsimons Mixing and sound design: Charlie Brandon-King Series editor: Matt Willis With special thanks to Geoffrey Cain, Sojin Lim, Jaeyeon Lee, Jake Kwon and Mary Wilkinson Senior commissioning producer: Sarah Green Commissioning editor: Jon ManelInheritance is a BBC Long Form Audio production
• 8. Scapegoat 04.05.2026 20min

  An old feud comes back to haunt the Lee family. A seed sown decades ago blossoms into a fraternal battle, putting the carefully planned succession at risk. But it’s not the only front on which Samsung is fighting for its survival.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. When your relatives are also your business partners, every decision is personal. In these dynasties, the boardroom isn’t just about profit - it’s about survival.Host: Elise Hu Producers: Simon Tulett and Sally Abrahams Fact-checkers: Matt Toulson and Su-Min Hwang Music: Thomas Ross Fitzsimons Mixing and sound design: Charlie Brandon-King Series editor: Matt Willis With special thanks to Geoffrey Cain, Sojin Lim, Jaeyeon Lee, Jake Kwon and Mary Wilkinson Senior commissioning producer: Sarah Green Commissioning editor: Jon ManelInheritance is a BBC Long Form Audio production
• 9. Leverage 11.05.2026 20min

  JY Lee steps into the biggest role of his life, but quickly learns the role comes with added complications. Will a deal struck with the South Korean President, or a faulty new phone model, destroy his chairmanship before it’s really begun?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. When your relatives are also your business partners, every decision is personal. In these dynasties, the boardroom isn’t just about profit - it’s about survival.Host: Elise Hu Producers: Simon Tulett and Sally Abrahams Fact-checkers: Matt Toulson and Su-Min Hwang Music: Thomas Ross Fitzsimons Mixing and sound design: Charlie Brandon-King Series editor: Matt Willis With special thanks to Geoffrey Cain, Sojin Lim, Jaeyeon Lee, Jake Kwon and Mary Wilkinson Senior commissioning producer: Sarah Green Commissioning editor: Jon ManelInheritance is a BBC Long Form Audio production
• 10. The good son 18.05.2026 28min

  Samsung faces an uncertain future after its chairman, JY Lee, is jailed. In the final part of the series, Samsung is uncharted territory. The company – and the family – must survive.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. When your relatives are also your business partners, every decision is personal. In these dynasties, the boardroom isn’t just about profit - it’s about survival.Host: Elise Hu Producers: Simon Tulett and Sally Abrahams Fact-checkers: Matt Toulson and Su-Min Hwang Music: Thomas Ross Fitzsimons Mixing and sound design: Charlie Brandon-King Series editor: Matt Willis With special thanks to Geoffrey Cain, Sojin Lim, Jaeyeon Lee, Jake Kwon and Mary Wilkinson Senior commissioning producer: Sarah Green Commissioning editor: Jon ManelInheritance is a BBC Long Form Audio production