What did Lee Young-ae say about Han Bok-ryeo on social media?

Lee wrote, My mentor, royal court cuisine researcher Han Bok-ryeo. Thank you, and please always stay healthy. She also used hashtags referring to Jewel in the Palace and My mentor.

How long have Lee Young-ae and Han Bok-ryeo known each other?

Their mentor-protégé bond has lasted 23 years, formed through Jewel in the Palace and still reflected in Lee referring to Han as her mentor. The article says Lee continues to express affection for her.

What is Han Bok-ryeo known for in relation to Jewel in the Palace?

Han is a researcher specializing in royal court cuisine from the Joseon Dynasty. She created the dishes featured in Jewel in the Palace by drawing on historical documents about traditional Korean cuisine.

'Jewel in the Palace' star Lee Young-ae celebrates 23-year bond with royal court cuisine mentor

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Summary

Actor Lee Young-ae celebrated her 23-year bond with royal court cuisine researcher Han Bok-ryeo by posting photos from a visit to the Institute of Korean Royal Cuisine on Thursday. She called Han her mentor and thanked her for staying healthy. Han helped create the dishes featured in Jewel in the Palace, the 2003 MBC drama that made Lee a nationwide star.

Key Facts

Lee posted several photos from her visit to the Institute of Korean Royal Cuisine on social media Thursday.
In the photos, Lee wore a blouse with a long skirt, walked around the institute, and held hands with Han Bok-ryeo.
Han Bok-ryeo was officially recognized in 2007 as a holder of the skills associated with Royal Court Cuisine of the Joseon Dynasty and designated National Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 38.
Lee married Korean American businessman Jeong Ho-young in 2009, and they have twins, a son and a daughter.

By Hankookilbo

Published Aug 21, 2026 2:30 pm KST

Lee Young-ae / Courtesy of Korea Foundation for Persons with Disabilities

Actor Lee Young-ae, whose most iconic work is considered by many to be the drama “Jewel in the Palace,” paid tribute to her more than 20-year bond with Han Bok-ryeo, the Korean royal court cuisine researcher who participated in the drama.

The actor posted several photos of herself visiting the Institute of Korean Royal Cuisine on social media Thursday. In the photos, she was seen wearing a blouse paired with a long skirt, strolling around the institute and smiling while holding hands with Han.

“My mentor, royal court cuisine researcher Han Bok-ryeo. Thank you, and please always stay healthy,” she wrote.

She also added the hashtags “Jewel in the Palace” and “My mentor.”

Lee Young-ae and Han Bok-reo / Captured from Lee Young-ae's Instagram

Lee played the title character, Seo Jang-geum, in the MBC drama, which became a nationwide sensation in 2003.

Han, a researcher specializing in royal court cuisine from the Joseon Dynasty, is known for creating the dishes featured in “Jewel in the Palace” by drawing on historical documents about traditional Korean cuisine. In 2007, she was officially recognized as a holder of the skills associated with Royal Court Cuisine of the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty, designated as National Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 38.

The mentor-protégé bond formed between Lee and Han through the drama has endured for 23 years, with Lee still referring to the researcher as “my mentor” and expressing her affection for her.

Lee married Korean American businessman Jeong Ho-young, who is 20 years her senior, in 2009. The couple has twins, a son and a daughter.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

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