"‘Nunmuljeojun Naejanggukbap Memory’ 30s Young Entrepreneur’s Social Contribution Activity Draws Attention"

Choi Mansu, CEO of Nengonggu, Dropped Out in 10th Grade Due to Family Hardship

Orphanage Support Agreement and Shared Officetel Provided for Youth

Choi Mansu, CEO of Nengonggu, is recalling his impoverished childhood and expressing his aspirations for the future.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] “I will live generously, never forgetting the times when I was happy eating intestines soup because I couldn’t afford to buy meat.”

Choi Mansu, a 30-something young entrepreneur and CEO of Nengonggu Co., Ltd., who grew up overcoming a difficult childhood environment.

Leading the company with about 40 employees, he now hears the term “gold spoon,” but he recalls that the past 10 years were a continuous struggle every day.

His family situation was so difficult that he had to drop out in the first year of high school, and as the eldest son carrying a heavy burden, he immediately threw himself into society, running forward with only the goal of making money.

As a minor with poor academic background, no company recognized him. He only managed to work part-time jobs, but even the monthly salary of about 700,000 won he earned then made him happy because he thought he was helping his family.

At that time, his parents divorced, and his younger sibling lived with his father while CEO Choi lived alone with his mother.

They say misfortunes come to those who have nothing. Around the age of 19, a sudden blow came: a military enlistment notice.

He said that poverty was so exhausting that, on the one hand, he thought the military might be more comfortable. Thinking of his mother, he ultimately replaced military service with industrial technical personnel service for livelihood reasons.

With 4 million won he stubbornly saved there, he started a promotional products business.

He started with big dreams, but the reality for a young man from the provinces lacking capital was harsh. Promotional product online business was not active in Gwangju, so he had to go to Seoul, but as a young man just over 20 from the provinces, the hardship was great.

Even though he should have focused on his business, he lacked money and had to juggle substitute driving and taxi work, so “success” seemed like a story for others.

At that time, he thought, “If I succeed enough to help others later, I will help young people just starting their businesses so they don’t have to live a hard life like mine.”

While barely continuing his business, another opportunity caught his eye. Since hardship was the reality anyway, he decided to do what he liked.

He jumped into the car accessories business, arriving at the office from 4 a.m. He said that in the early days, infrastructure was not well established and he had no know-how, so he thought physical effort was the priority.

Starting from a single room, he gradually expanded his office, and now he has about 40 employees and 22 dealerships nationwide, becoming a respectable CEO. He started his business at 24 and achieved his dream in 10 years.

In 2019, he rented a commercial building in Suwan-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, and created 18 shared officetels. This was to provide a base for young people just starting businesses at low rent.

He also acts as a mentor, sharing his experience and know-how with them. Two or three who started here have grown into respectable small and medium-sized enterprise CEOs and keep in touch with CEO Choi.

He reunited his divorced parents from 15 years ago and also brought his younger sibling’s family, who lived in another region, creating a harmonious family again.

Now, he is also interested in social contribution activities, keeping the promise he made to himself during difficult times.

He supports young people preparing to start businesses and recently signed a sponsorship agreement with an orphanage.

Since childhood, CEO Choi had a desire: to earn enough money to live and share with neighbors in need. Taking the first step toward helping those in need, he signed a sponsorship agreement with the Gwangju Hope Welfare Foundation, fulfilling another dream.

He had been donating childcare products, delivering winter supplies like electric heaters, and supporting hot packs and rice, but this is the first time he has signed an official agreement with an institution.

Employees of Nengonggu save a fixed amount monthly, and the collected funds are used by the Hope Welfare Foundation for orphanages in urgent need.

He also regularly supports convents and facilities for single mothers, contributing to building a warm society.

CEO Choi said, “When I was young, I wanted to eat pork so badly, but I couldn’t afford it, so I had to substitute with ‘tear-soaked intestines soup.’ I know the pain of poverty better than anyone. Now, I will give back to society and live helping neighbors in need.” He added, “I want to build a company where employees are not just colleagues but seniors and juniors in life, partners who can grow together.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.