Holger Chen
Holger Chen or Chen Chih-han (traditional Chinese: 陳之漢; simplified Chinese: 陈之汉; pinyin: Chén Zhīhàn; born March 12, 1979), is a Taiwanese internet celebrity, entrepreneur, political activist and mixed martial artist.[1][2] He is also known popularly as Kuan Chang (Chinese: 館長; pinyin: Guǎnzhǎng; meaning gym manager) in Taiwan,[3] being the founder and CEO of G.K. Fitness Club (成吉思汗健身俱樂部), named after Genghis Khan.[4] As an actor, Chen had his first appearance as a cameo in the 2008 film Parking.
Holger Chen Chen Chih-han | |
|---|---|
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| Personal details | |
| Born | Chen Szu-han March 12, 1979 Luzhou Township, Taipei County |
| Nationality | Republic of China |
| Occupation | YouTuber, Blogger, Entrepreneur, Mixed martial artist |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  |
| Branch/service |  |
| Years of service | 1998–2001 |
| Rank |  |
Early life
Born Chen Szu-han (traditional Chinese: 陳思翰; simplified Chinese: 陈思翰; pinyin: Chén Sīhàn) in Luzhou Township, Taipei County, Chen was raised by a single mother and has an elder sister. His father, born to a wealthy family in Yilan, was a businessman who settled in the United States. However, Chen's mother was his father's mistress, and she was largely left to fend for herself and her children in Taiwan. His father died when he was a first-grader in elementary school.[5]
Hailing from a poor single family, Chen was often beaten and bullied by his schoolmates in his youth. The fathers of his bullies would sometimes join the abuse. When Chen was 15, he dropped out of school and began working to support his family.[6]
Chen served in the Republic of China Marine Corps from 1998 to 2001. During his military service, he was involved in the relief operation of the 1999 Jiji earthquake.[7]
After retiring from service, Chen worked odd jobs such as porter, deliveryman and salesman. He later joined the United Bamboo Gang for two years and had more than 100 men under him at one point. To support his men, Chen had to take on credit card loans. After he quit the triad, he became a restaurateur with the help of friends to pay off his debt. Chen often warns his audience against the dangers of working in organized crime.[5]
Fitness center manager
In 2014, Chen opened his first fitness center, G.K. Fitness Club. It was one of the first gyms in Taiwan to popularize and offer mixed martial arts training to the public. The fitness club is named after Mongol ruler Genghis Khan. He now leads six fitness centers in New Taipei City and Taoyuan City.
Being an internet celebrity and blogger, he often expresses his opinion on current affairs and politics through live streaming and social media platforms.[6]
Chen is also a philanthropist concerned with the welfare of underprivileged Taiwanese people.
Political activist
In 2019, Chen and New Power Party legislator Huang Kuo-chang organized a protest in Taipei against pro-China media. The rally was attended by tens of thousands of people.[8]
Personal life
Chen is married, and he has a son and a stepdaughter from his wife's previous marriage.[9] Chen also has a pet Caucasian Shepherd dog named Ta-hsiung.[10]
References
- Lai talks independence, reforms in online broadcast
- Ko chided over robber analogy
- Popular Taiwan YouTuber apologizes for supporting Han Kuo-yu
- Taiwan fitness manager hands out 800 coffees to Universiade volunteers
- Yang, Hsiang-lin (2018-02-27). 霸氣館長爆：自小被霸凌 學搏擊找到人生目標 變身網紅擁70萬粉絲. Apple Daily (Taiwan).
- 館長陳之漢 2019.06.30 Taiwan History. YouTube. Formosa TV.
- 健身「館長」背景遭起底 沒想到他「這些紀錄」超驚人. EBC News. 2017-04-27. Retrieved 2017-04-29.
- Thousands protest pro-China media
- 館長女兒遭霸凌事件 on YouTube.館長成吉思汗頻道. 2016-12-02
- 館長曝光「大雄尺寸」如神獸！ 網驚：美編只斷手很幸運. ettoday.net (in Chinese).
External links
- Holger Chen's channel on YouTube
- Holger Chen on Facebook (in Chinese)