"Monthly Rent Alone 40 Million Won" From Closure to Extreme Choices... Tears Shed by Jeong Se-gyun at the Gym's 'Cry for Help'

[Image source = YouTube channel Fitbly capture]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Choi Eun-young, Reporter Han Seung-gon] Famous health trainer and YouTuber 'Fitbly,' who has 590,000 subscribers, has finally announced that he will close one of the gyms he operates. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun shed tears in response to the repeated 'cries for help' from gym workers.

On the 8th, Fitbly uploaded a video titled "Closing the gym. Selling furniture" on his YouTube channel.

He said, "I can no longer endure this, so I have decided to close," adding, "There is no prospect of improvement anytime soon, and I have already used up the deposit for the monthly rent."

He continued, "All equipment will be sold at a low price. The entire sales amount will be donated to friends who are heads of households at a young age," and added, "If members want a full refund, I will provide it, and if they want to transfer to another branch, I will assist."

Earlier, on the 2nd, when the government decided to extend the gathering ban for two weeks, Fitbly posted a video titled "I will drink some soju," showing himself getting emotional. He drank soju for about 10 minutes inside an empty gym, covering his face with his hands and shedding tears as frustration welled up.

In October, he appeared on a broadcast and expressed difficulties, saying, "The daily rent for four stores is 1.5 million won, and the monthly rent alone is 40 million won."

Subscribers expressed their distress, saying, "If a major YouTuber is at this level, what on earth is the situation like?", "It will get better again. Stay strong," and "Why do we suffer even when we work hard?"

Famous health trainer Yang Chi-seung also appeared on KBS 2TV's "The Boss Has Donkey Ears" on the 3rd and lamented, "I closed the gym I was operating. It's almost like going bankrupt. Rent and employee salaries keep going out," adding, "So I am thinking of trying to sell tteokbokki."

On the same day, he posted on Instagram about the extreme choice of a gym owner in Daegu, saying, "I feel deep sorrow as someone in the same industry during such a difficult time," and "Please come up with better measures."

Meanwhile, on the 3rd, the government extended the social distancing measures (Level 2.5 in the metropolitan area, Level 2 in non-metropolitan areas) that were scheduled to end, lifting business restrictions only for some facilities such as ski resorts and winter sports businesses, as well as taekwondo and ballet academies, sparking controversy over fairness. Later, it announced, "All indoor sports facilities will be allowed to operate under the same conditions as taekwondo dojangs or academies for child and student lessons," but criticism arose that this was ineffective for gyms, where most users are adults.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In response to the criticism, Prime Minister Chung finally became teary-eyed.

On the 8th, Prime Minister Chung appeared at the National Assembly's emergency COVID-19 prevention and vaccine inquiry and showed signs of being overwhelmed at the podium in the plenary hall, repeatedly wiping tears with a handkerchief.

Justice Party lawmaker Bae Jin-kyo introduced the story of a gym operator in Incheon, saying, "Fixed expenses are 12 million won per month, including 8 million won in monthly rent, but government support consists only of 1.9% loan support, extensions on electricity and utility bill payments, and direct subsidies."

He added, "The government should not just force merchants to close but provide practical support so they can endure even if they close."

In response to Bae's remarks, Prime Minister Chung said, "I fully understand, and when I put myself in their shoes, I feel how hard it must be, which brings tears to my eyes." When Bae asked, "How will you wipe the tears of self-employed people who have to pay rent even though they cannot operate?" Chung lowered his head and said, "It is truly difficult," wiping his tears with a handkerchief.

He added, "Regarding this issue, I have also spoken to the President and shared concerns together," and said, "I think this should be an opportunity for the political circles and the government to work together to create measures while going through the COVID crisis."

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