“Mr. Trot 3” Kim Yong-bin Reveals He Turned Down SHINee Offer from Lee Soo-man Before Becoming Trot Star
Kim Yong-bin, the newly crowned winner of Mr. Trot 3, has surprised fans by revealing that he once turned down a chance to debut as a K-pop idol with none other than SHINee, one of SM Entertainment’s most iconic groups.
On the June 1 episode of KBS2’s Boss in the Mirror, Kim shared a little-known fact from his past:
“Lee Soo-man himself told me he was forming SHINee and invited me to join, but I said I couldn’t do it.”
The revelation shocked the panel, who quickly commented on his visuals, saying he had the classic “SM look” fit for an idol.
Despite passing on a K-pop debut, Kim has found immense success on his own terms. After winning Mr. Trot 3, he reported a massive surge in popularity his official fan café has grown 20 times, his appearance fees have skyrocketed, and he’s even landed a cosmetics commercial. Clearly, he’s become a rising star in the trot scene.
Kim’s path hasn’t been easy. Known as a trot prodigy in his youth, he also dealt with panic disorder, a struggle he’s slowly overcome. But perhaps the most heartfelt part of his journey is the influence of his family especially his grandmother.
“My grandmother passed away in June last year,” Kim shared emotionally. “She always told me to go on Mr. Trot 3 and give it my all. She said even after she was gone, she would still help me somehow.”
Fueled by her words, Kim competed—and won. With the 300 million KRW (approx. $220,000 USD) prize money, he was finally able to pay off the debt he accumulated during years of obscurity.
Kim Yong-bin’s story is not just one of talent, but of resilience, sacrifice, and family-fueled dreams. And while he could’ve once been part of a legendary K-pop group, he’s now creating his own legend in trot.