Star trainer Yang Chi-seung closed gym after being defrauded by a fan…responsibility taken until the end with 'diligence'
Well-known as a trainer for many stars, Yang Chi-seung closed his gym after being defrauded by a fan. Nevertheless, he has promised to take responsibility for the refunds and personal items retrieval of members until the end. Support for him continues.
On July 22, Yang Chi-seung shared a video on his social media where he personally sent text messages to members, stating, "I am sending the second notice via personal text because some people filtered out the group message for the first notice as advertisements or spam. Please make sure to check." Even in the face of closure, he has been proactive in ensuring that members do not face inconveniences.
Yang Chi-seung said, "I will proceed with refunds and personal item retrieval until 10 a.m. on July 24, 2025, so please visit within this period." He also warned, "Any unrefunded memberships and uncollected items by the deadline may be discarded," and afterward, his gym had to close.
This was because he suffered tens of millions of won in fraud. He previously incurred damage amounting to hundreds of millions of won due to a jeonse fraud during the operation of his gym, and lost in court, receiving an eviction order. The landlord he signed a contract with was not the actual owner of the building, leading to double rental payments. Yang Chi-seung has already completed refunds amounting to about 20 million won and stated that there are tens of millions of won left to be refunded. Some members expressed their support, saying, "I won't request a refund until the gym opens again," to which Yang Chi-seung replied with a smile, "Let's discuss it after receiving the refunds first."
This incident was particularly shocking as it was revealed that he was defrauded by a fan. Yang Chi-seung opened a gym in 2019 in the building of the No. 1 Public Parking Lot in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam, and signed a contract directly with a fan, identified as Mr. A, whom he got to know through an acquaintance without going through a real estate agency. Mr. A encouraged him, saying, "Do it for 10 or 20 years," but less than a month after the renewal of the contract in January 2023, he received eviction notice and claims for damages from the Gangnam District Office. After checking the property register, Yang Chi-seung learned that he had been defrauded by the fan he trusted, shocking him.
Yang Chi-seung said on "True Story," "I bear great responsibility for not having done sufficient research beforehand," but he also learned afterward that many others had suffered similar losses. He revealed on last year's Channel A documentary "Close Friends: The Four-Person Dining Table" that he had suffered damages of at least 1 billion won, including about 500 million won in deposits and interior facility costs.
Support voices have continued among fans and members regarding his diligence. Internet users have reacted, saying, "It must have been really hard to be betrayed by a fan, but it's impressive how he takes responsibility until the end," "Even if the gym closes, you can feel Yang Chi-seung's sincerity. I hope it gets resolved well!," and "You can feel his concern for the members. We support you."
Yang Chi-seung conveyed his determination to start over via social media, saying, "I started with nothing until now, so I can start again." Although he has faced painful setbacks such as being defrauded by a fan, he is preparing to rise again without losing his diligence until the end.
[Photo] OSEN DB, True Story
[OSEN]