Hong Seok-cheon "Monthly restaurant income loss of 35 million won... Rent alone 9.5 million won"

On the 9th, broadcaster Hong Seok-cheon appeared on KBS 2TV's entertainment program Boss Has Donkey Ears. Photo by KBS 2TV Boss Has Donkey Ears broadcast capture

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Min Jun-young] Broadcaster Hong Seok-cheon revealed that his restaurant business has been struggling due to the novel coronavirus infection.

On the 9th, KBS 2TV variety show 'The Boss Has Donkey Ears' featured Hong Seok-cheon visiting the gym of fitness trainer Yang Chi-seung.

During the broadcast, when Yang Chi-seung invited him to work out together, Hong Seok-cheon said, "What kind of exercise at the age of 50?"

Hong Seok-cheon added, "Actually, I exercised hard 10 years ago. I used to confidently go to the swimming pool," and said, "I want to run on the beach wearing a swimsuit like I did back then 10 years ago."

He then served salad and pasta from his restaurant to the gym members, saying, "Actually, the steak is tastier, but I couldn't bring it because the cost is high."

He confessed, "I lost 35 million won in restaurant income in one month. The monthly rent alone is 9.5 million won. There are no people in Itaewon."

In response, Yang Chi-seung promised, "If you register for PT training with Kim Sung-kyung, I will visit your (Hong Seok-cheon's) restaurant once a month to have a dinner party with the staff."

Upon hearing this, host Jeon Hyun-moo expressed sympathy, saying, "That restaurant usually has lines of people waiting to eat, but there were only a few tables of customers."