When I heard the news on March 25, 2025, about Han Jong-hee’s passing, it stopped me in my tracks. Samsung Electronics shared that their co-CEO and Vice Chairman had suffered a heart attack, and suddenly the world felt a little dimmer. At 63, Han was someone who shaped so much of what we take for granted—those TVs that light up our living rooms, the phones that keep us connected. But more than that, he seemed like a person who cared deeply about what he built and the people he worked with. I keep thinking about his family and colleagues, the ones who knew his laugh, his late-night ideas, his quiet moments. This isn’t about a company or a headline for me—it’s about taking a moment to remember a life that touched so many, even from afar.
I can picture Han starting out at Samsung back in 1988, maybe a little nervous but full of dreams. He spent nearly 40 years there, working his way up from the video display division to leading huge parts of the company. By 2017, he was steering their TV business, keeping Samsung at the top of the game for 15 years straight. I think about my own Samsung TV, how it’s been there for cozy movie nights and big family gatherings—it’s like a little piece of Han’s work lives in my home. Later, as co-CEO in 2021, he looked after consumer electronics and mobile devices, always dreaming of ways to make our lives easier, more connected. He wasn’t just chasing trends; he was trying to bring people closer together through what he built.
What really struck me about Han was how he talked about the future. He had this phrase, “bold growth,” and it felt like a promise to dream bigger—not just for Samsung, but for all of us. He wanted to take the company into new places, like medtech and robotics, as if he saw technology as a way to care for the world. I read somewhere that he believed Samsung could make homes smarter, blending phones and appliances so life felt simpler, warmer. It’s rare to hear someone at that level speak with such a human touch, and it makes me wish I could’ve heard more of his ideas.
It’s hard to think about his last days without feeling a pang of sadness. He passed away after a heart attack, even with doctors trying their best. Just before that, he was pouring himself into his work—speaking at Samsung’s shareholders’ meeting, traveling to Shanghai for an expo, getting ready for another event. I can’t imagine the weight he carried, but I bet he carried it with grace. My heart goes out to his family, who must miss him beyond words, and to his team, who’ve lost someone they looked up to. It’s a reminder of how fragile life can be, even for people who seem untouchable.
Now Samsung moves forward with Jun Young-hyun as the sole CEO, and I can’t help but wonder how he’s feeling, stepping into such a big role while grieving a partner. The company’s got challenges ahead—tough competition in chips, a world that feels so uncertain—but I think Han’s spirit will linger in the halls, in the ideas he left behind. For the teams he led, it must feel like losing a steady hand. But I hope they find ways to keep his warmth alive in what they create next.
Han’s passing makes me pause and think about what really matters. He showed me that technology isn’t just about specs or sales—it’s about the people behind it, the ones who dream it up and the ones who use it to make memories. I didn’t know him personally, but I feel like I’ve lost someone who cared about the same things I do: connection, wonder, a better tomorrow. I hope the tech world takes a moment to honor him not with competition, but with kindness, remembering the heart he brought to his work.
To me, Han Jong-hee feels like the reason my TV makes movie nights special, the reason my phone holds so many conversations I treasure. He was called a symbol of Samsung’s leadership, but I think he was more—a quiet reminder to lead with heart. As Samsung keeps going, I hope they carry his light forward, letting it shine in every new thing they build.
Writing this feels like sitting down with a cup of tea, reflecting on someone I wish I’d known. Han, thank you—for the magic you brought into our lives, for the dreams you dared to chase. To your family, I’m so sorry; I hope you feel the love so many of us have for him. To Samsung, hold onto his spirit. And to Han, wherever you are, I hope you’re resting easy, knowing you left the world a little brighter.