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Ottogi scion stops uploading YouTube clips apparently to join family business
Ham Yon-ji in her Instagram image posted in November 2020 / Screen capture from Instagram
By Ko Dong-hwan
Ottogi Chairman Ham Young-joon's daughter appears to be joining the family business after shutting down her high-profile YouTube channel, according to industry watchers, Monday.
Ham Yon-ji, 31, posted a clip last Thursday addressing the 471,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel, Yonjiham.
"I am right now deeply interested in promoting Korean food to people in the United States," said Ham, who studied acting at New York University and debuted on the musical scene in 2014 with "Gone With the Wind."
"I am satisfied with my work and everyday routine, as I find each day of my life really meaningful. I have spent the past four years making myself open to you subscribers, uploading videos every Thursday. From now on, I would like to pay attention to myself, listening to the voice of my heart."
Next to Ham in the clip was her husband, Kim Jae-woo, an Ottogi employee since 2018 who is known to have been sent to the U.S. for a position there. The couple currently resides in the U.S.
Ham's father-in-law is Kim Kyung-ho, former vice-president of LG Electronics. Ottogi hired him last month to take charge of the company's new global business department. The appointment, which made headlines, was considered as a signal by the major Korean food production company to expand its overseas business.
The actress is the eldest daughter of the Ottogi chairman. Her older sibling, Yoon-sik, joined Ottogi in 2021 and is a deputy head of the management division.
With her network of family ties to top business officials in and outside of Ottogi, the scion was long anticipated to join the family business. She is known to have 1.07 percent of Ottogi stocks, worth over 30 billion won ($23 million), according to reports.
"I have come across the fans of my YouTube channel who said they felt positive energy from my online content," said the YouTuber in her last clip. "Although there won't be any more updates to my channel, I wish you good health and happiness."