Park Seung-hyun as seen in a video uploaded a week ago / Captured from his YouTube channel
By KTimes
Park Seung-hyun, a popular fitness YouTuber with 830,000 subscribers who gained recognition for exposing steroid abuse in the bodybuilding industry, passed away on Sunday at the age of 34.
Park’s older brother disclosed the news on social media. “At 3:51 p.m. on Jan. 5, my younger brother Seung-hyun passed away due to health reasons,” he wrote. “Our parents are deeply heartbroken, so we will not be receiving visitors at the memorial hall. Please pray for his peaceful rest in your hearts.”
A photo of Park’s memorial portrait was shared in the post, though no additional details were provided.
Park, a former bodybuilder, remained active on his YouTube channel, with his final fitness video, uploaded just six days before his passing, garnering 760,000 views.
Park became a prominent figure in 2019 when he publicly confessed to his misuse of steroids and exposed its widespread abuse within the bodybuilding and fitness industry. Through his revelations, he sparked a movement aimed to raise awareness of the dangers of illegal drug use in sports.
He voluntarily reported his own violations of pharmaceutical laws to authorities, later revealing that he received a suspended indictment in November 2019.
Park recently confessed that he struggled with depression, which he openly discussed with his followers.
In a video posted three months before his passing, he said, “I have been battling depression and receiving psychiatric treatment. Financial difficulties have arisen because I haven’t been able to continue my YouTube activities.” He added, “I feel lonely even though I shouldn’t. I will find my way back to myself and return someday.”
The unexpected news has led to an outpouring of condolences from fans and colleagues.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.