Mincheol Jin is the male protagonist of the webtoon Maybe Meant to Be. He is a 32-year-old hardworking programmer with a strong passion for fitness, who works as an Assistant Manager in the Development Team 3 at a mid-sized IT company. Despite his technical skills, Mincheol is somewhat socially awkward, especially when it comes to fashion and relationships. He is married to Jia Han, a childhood friend and the love of his life. They have a close-knit relationship, built on years of friendship, and Mincheol deeply values his connection with her.
Mincheol is known for his physical appearance, with a tall and muscular build that stands out in both his personal and professional life. Though he initially comes off as nerdy due to his glasses and somewhat quirky fashion sense, he is revealed to be far more attractive without them, much to Jia’s delight. Throughout the series, Mincheol’s insecurities, especially about his looks and his self-perception as “cute,” come to the forefront, revealing his more sensitive side.
Personality[]
Mincheol has a complex and multifaceted personality. He is efficient, methodical, and strives for practicality in every aspect of his life, especially at work. His attention to detail and dedication to his job make him reliable and competent in his professional role. However, he is socially awkward and often oblivious to social cues, particularly when it comes to fashion and appearance. This is evident in his lack of fashion sense, which his wife, Jia, frequently comments on, giving him advice on how to dress.
He has a charming but clumsy side that makes him endearing, particularly in his relationship with Jia. Although he struggles with expressing emotions verbally, he often shows his affection through actions. For example, Mincheol’s tendency to seek advice from his co-worker, Sang-U Choi, about his marriage only reveals how much he cares for Jia and wants to make their relationship work.
Appearance[]
Mincheol’s physical appearance is often a subject of interest. He is tall with a broad, muscular frame that stands out even among his colleagues. His athleticism is one of his defining traits, and he maintains his fitness through regular exercise, especially weightlifting. His shoulders are broad, and he has a strong, muscular build that he proudly maintains.
However, Mincheol's most distinct feature is his glasses. He wears them most of the time, which hides his handsome face from others. His glasses reflect light so intensely that it can obscure his face, leaving only a vague impression of his appearance. When Mincheol takes off his glasses, his sharp, well-defined features become evident, revealing a more refined and handsome version of himself that leaves a lasting impression on those around him, especially Jia.
His eyes are large, and his eyelashes are long, which many people consider cute. However, Mincheol finds this a source of discomfort, as he doesn't want to be seen as “cute,” preferring to appear more mature. When he removes his glasses, his appearance changes dramatically, and Jia begins to notice his attractive features more clearly, rekindling feelings from their childhood.
Relationships[]
Mincheol's relationships with others are characterized by his loyalty and deep affection for those close to him. His relationship with Jia Han is central to the story. They were childhood friends, and their bond only grew stronger over time. Their relationship transitions from friendship to romance, and despite the awkwardness Mincheol sometimes displays, his love for Jia is evident in his actions.
Mincheol is also very close to his in-laws. His mother-in-law, SeonYeong Kim, and father-in-law, Joochan Han, play significant roles in his life, and he gets along well with them. He also has a good relationship with his sister-in-law, Jimin Han, and brother-in-law, Jinwoo Jeong, although their interactions are mostly through family gatherings.
At work, Mincheol interacts with his co-workers, including Sang-U Choi, a younger colleague who often gives him advice on his marriage, and Suyeon, an older colleague who shares a professional relationship with him. Despite his awkwardness, Mincheol is generally well-liked by his colleagues.
Key Moments[]
- Childhood Crush: Mincheol harbors feelings for Jia from a young age, but he never expressed them due to his insecurities and the fear of rejection. His unspoken love for Jia is a central theme throughout the webtoon.
- Glasses Revelation: Mincheol’s glasses are a key part of his character, representing his desire to appear more mature and less “cute.” However, when he removes them, Jia realizes just how handsome he is, and it triggers feelings of attraction she hadn’t acknowledged before.
- Confession of Love: In a pivotal moment of the webtoon, Mincheol finally confesses his love for Jia, acknowledging his feelings for her that have been building up since childhood.
- Fitness Commitment: Mincheol's dedication to fitness is a recurring aspect of his character. His daily workouts and his obsession with bodybuilding often play a role in shaping his personality and interactions with others.
Trivia[]
- Spaghetti Man Fan: Mincheol is a huge fan of the *Spaghetti Man* movie series, having followed it for over 20 years. This fandom is a quirky part of his personality that makes him relatable to fans of the series.
- Diet: Mincheol loves chicken breast and consumes it regularly as part of his fitness regimen. He even drinks it as a shake in the morning, despite its strong odor. He also enjoys eating cucumbers and has a particular dislike for mint chocolate.
- Gaming Enthusiast: Mincheol is an avid gamer. In his free time, he often retreats to his room to play video games, a hobby that he has maintained since childhood. He used to bring his gaming console to Jia’s house when they were young.
- Dislike of Alcohol: Mincheol dislikes alcohol, primarily because it interferes with his muscle-building efforts. He has a strong aversion to it and avoids drinking whenever possible.
- Truth Games: Mincheol has a strong dislike for truth games. This stems from past experiences where he felt that people used truth games to expose uncomfortable truths, and he associates them with negative memories.
- Snoring: Mincheol snores loudly while sleeping, which is a running joke in the webtoon and something that Jia occasionally mentions.
- Affectionate When Drunk: When Mincheol drinks alcohol, he becomes extremely affectionate, often showing more affection than usual. He once tried to kiss Jia in front of a taxi driver, which startled her.
- Cat’s Name: Mincheol named his pet cat "쥐" (Mouse) after the animal’s love for mice. Some fans speculate that the name may be a playful homage to Jia, whose name contains the same syllable "Ji" in Korean.
- Glasses and Memory: Mincheol’s reason for wearing glasses traces back to childhood when older girls would often tease him for being "cute." Jia once commented that he looked more manly with glasses, which left a lasting impression on Mincheol. He continued wearing them as a result of this comment, which helped him feel more mature.
Miscellaneous[]
Mincheol is not just a programmer and fitness enthusiast; he’s a man deeply rooted in his feelings for Jia and his desire to make her happy. His quirks and awkwardness make him a relatable character, and his journey of self-discovery and love is a key focus of the series. Despite his insecurities, Mincheol’s love for Jia never wavers, and their relationship is a heartwarming part of Maybe Meant to Be.