MBC’s “True Story Investigation” is examining an alleged indiscriminate assault at a gym.
The program airing on the 23rd focuses on a group assault that occurred in March at a large fitness center in the greater Seoul area.
The victim, Minjun (alias), suffered serious injuries and was taken to an emergency room that day. His family said his face was so swollen it was hard to recognize, and he was bleeding heavily.
CCTV footage obtained by the production team shows the assault in a small break room. The conflict began over how sales were credited: team leader Han (alias) challenged the decision by a new trainer, Junseong (alias), to transfer membership sales credit to Minjun.
As Minjun protested, the situation escalated quickly. Han demanded a written pledge stating they would fight one-on-one and not report it. The beating began shortly after Minjun signed, according to the broadcast.
Han, identified as a fourth-degree judo black belt, was suspected of using judo techniques during the assault. Witnesses said blood pooled on the floor to the point it stuck to shoes, and bloodstains extended into the hallway.
The response afterward also drew criticism. The broadcast cited claims that people involved drove witnesses out and told staff to wipe blood from the hallway, raising allegations of an attempt to destroy evidence. Police received a report at 10:23 p.m., about two hours after the assault, it said.
The gym is also accused of issuing work instructions to block refunds for the victim’s clients while he was hospitalized, instead of offering an apology or visiting him.
“True Story Investigation” said it will review what happened inside the gym and questions surrounding the handling of the case. The episode airs at 9 p.m. on the 23rd.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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