Yang Chi-seung Explains Visit to Gwangjang Market Amidst Price Controversy: 'It's About the Nostalgia, Not the Taste'

Fitness trainer-turned-broadcaster Yang Chi-seung has revealed his reasons for visiting Gwangjang Market, despite ongoing controversies surrounding inflated prices.

In a YouTube video uploaded on the 13th titled 'Gwangjang Market Tteokbokki 6 Pieces. Was Yang Chi-seung Really a Sucker?', Yang Chi-seung noted the crowds even on a weekday. He ordered tteokbokki, japchae, fish cakes, and dumplings, each as a single serving.

"I come for the old-school vibe, not for the taste," he explained. "That's why there are so many foreigners. Personally, I think it might be tastier for foreigners than for Koreans."

On this day, Yang Chi-seung paid 27,000 won for the snacks. The tteokbokki, priced at 3,000 won per serving, contained only six pieces of rice cake, and sundae cost 8,000 won per serving, sparking debate among netizens.

A vendor featured in the video expressed frustration, saying, "The atmosphere isn't good these days. The media portrays Gwangjang Market negatively. Because of one establishment, everyone gets criticized, and we have fewer customers."

Yang Chi-seung responded, "There are many foreign customers. If they do a slightly better job now, there will be many more. If they seem too selfish, foreigners might stop coming." He added, "It's a problem that the entire market is criticized because of a few people, but foreigners should feel the warmth of Korea and have an experience like 'it was so delicious and great.' It seems that's not quite happening yet."

Netizens reacted positively to Yang Chi-seung's honest review of Gwangjang Market, commenting, "Thanks for the honest review," "It's good because he's so frank," and "I should watch this before taking my foreign friends."