Dae Jang-geum to Open Coffeehouse Chain

South Korean actress Lee Young-ae in the television drama "Dae Jang-geum." Lee Young-ae is planning to open a chain of coffeehouses in several Asian countries, a report quoted a confidant of Lee's as saying. [File Photo: zzdesk.cn]

South Korean actress Lee Young-ae, who gained widespread popularity for her role in the television drama "Dae Jang-geum," plans to open a chain of coffeehouses in several Asian countries.

The actress, who turns 37 next month, will likely open coffee shops in China, Japan and Thailand, a report in the Wen Wei Po newspaper quoted a confidant of Lee's as saying.

Lee will officially announce her new business after she maps out all the details, her friend said.

The news report also said that Lee will offer Korean food in her coffeehouses to popularize the culinary customs of her country.

Lee plays a chef-turned-physician in the phenomenally popular "Dae Jang-geum" TV series. The show aroused a wave of Korean food lovers when it aired in China in 2005.

In October this year, action-film superstar Jackie Chan launched his own restaurant chain, Jackie Chan's Cafe, in China, Singapore and Malaysia.（CRIENGLISH.com）