Rookie trainee Ha Min-gi, grandson of the founder of popular Korean tteokbokki chain Shinjeon Tteokbokki, has spoken out about the misconceptions surrounding his background, addressing “chaebol idol” rumors ahead of his debut.
On October 31, Ha Min-gi appeared in a YouTube interview titled ““The Rich Idol Who Made News” – Shinjeon Tteokbokki Founder’s Grandson Revealed” on the One Mic channel, where he clarified the truth behind his internship journey.
Born in 2007, Ha Min-gi was introduced by Modenberry Korea as part of a boy group debuting in late 2026. News of his family background being the grandson of Shinjeon founder Tteokbokki and grandson of CEO Ha Sung-ho quickly went viral, earning him the nickname “spoon idol tteokbokki”.
“At first, not even my agency knew about my family background“, Ha Min-gi explained. “They were surprised but also said they couldn’t wait to see what I could do. This made me want to work even harder.”
When asked if he had been labeled a “chaebol idol,” he answered honestly: “I’m not a chaebol. My parents might be, but I don’t think of myself that way. Our house is nice, yes, the living room is large with glass walls but my parents are not flashy. They like Mercedes cars, that’s all.“
Ha Min-gi emphasized that his career path was built entirely on his own efforts, not on money or influence.
“People commented that if I’m a chaebol idol, I must have paid to join the company, but that’s not true at all“, he said. “I applied, met with agencies and auditioned. I have never spent money in this industry, except for university fees. I went to at least 200 auditions alone.”
He revealed that convincing his parents took persistence: “Since middle school, I spent a month persuading my father. They were worried because it’s a really difficult industry, but I told them, “Even if I can’t do it, I won’t regret trying,” and in the end they supported me.”
Ha Min-gi also shared a memorable message from her grandmother, the founder of Shinjeon Tteokbokki: “He told me: ‘The world is hard and everything is difficult. So don’t give up.’ Since my background is public, he warned me to be careful not to damage the brand. He said that people will criticize me and envy me, but I should focus on those who support me and work harder.”
Despite public scrutiny, the young apprentice remains determined to prove himself through talent, not wealth.
Sources: Nate News
