Founding of HitsNY

Lois Chun establishes Hallyu Idol Training Services New York (HitsNY), a K-pop training camp in Manhattan. She begins aggressively marketing the program to families, charging between $5,000-$40,000 per student.

Promotional materials promised professional training, language immersion, and connections to K-pop entertainment companies. Many families withdraw money from college savings to pay for the program.

Abrupt Cancellation

Just days before the program was scheduled to begin, HitsNY abruptly cancels the K-pop training camp. Chun promises refunds to all families within 14 days as outlined in their contracts.

When families attempt to contact Chun for their refunds, they are given various excuses. Chun claims the tuition money was used for "deposits" and cannot be recovered, offering instead to pay $100 per week to affected families.

Media Exposure

ABC News 7 airs an investigative report about the HitsNY scam, interviewing multiple victims including Bonnie Blake and her daughter Kelly. The report also reveals that Pearl Studios, where HitsNY was renting space, received bounced checks from Chun.

After media involvement, Chun makes token payments to some victims but fails to provide full refunds as promised. The HitsNY website and social media pages are deleted shortly after.

Growing Complaints

Multiple complaints appear online through forums and review sites. Victims begin organizing and sharing their experiences, revealing a pattern of fraudulent activity.

Additional allegations emerge, including:

• Unpaid wages to dance instructors and vocal coaches
• Allowing underage drinking among minor students
• Borrowing money from minors and failing to repay
• Using personal bank accounts to hide company finances

Legal Troubles

In an unrelated legal case (Chun v. Sushi Maru Express, docket #2:17-cv-06411-JMV-MF), Chun accused others of defamation. However, her claims were dismissed for lack of evidence and poor pleading, further damaging her credibility.

View Federal Court Records

Continuing Pattern

Reports continue to emerge of Chun operating under different aliases (Claire Lee, Seung Ae Chun, Hodoo Jeon) and starting new ventures with similar patterns of fraud:

• Promising fake opportunities to meet or work with celebrities
• Failing to pay staff and contractors
• Promising visas to undocumented individuals for $20,000 investments
• Vanishing after being exposed, leaving victims unpaid

South Carolina Restaurant and Pickleball Scams

New reports emerge of Lois Chun operating in South Carolina (Myrtle Beach, Conway, Pawleys Island, Murrells Inlet, and Georgetown). According to these reports, Chun has:

• Targeted restaurant owners and employees, allegedly stealing from businesses
• Worked with accomplices to allegedly hide stolen goods in U-Haul storage units
• Used fake ID to make fraudulent purchases, including being caught on camera at Best Buy purchasing a MacBook and four phones
• Targeted the pickleball community to find potential victims and accomplices
• Exploited relationships with retail employees who allegedly assisted with fraudulent purchases
• Sought "ghost kitchens" to operate from after being terminated from a position in Pawleys Island
• Moved operations to Georgetown, South Carolina after being confronted in Pawleys Island

Reports claim she is working with multiple accomplices:

• So Yung Park (aka "Ayden"): Claims to be Lois's brother and is reportedly wanted for fraud in both Korea and New York City. He has been actively involved in restaurant operations and targeting new victims alongside Lois.
• Sowoon Woon Chun (Mother): Resides at 11435 Pecan Creek Dr, Houston, TX 77043, and is allegedly involved in helping Lois evade capture and continue her fraudulent activities.
• Philip Chun (Brother): Another alleged accomplice who assists Lois with her various scams and operations.
• Rebecca Grove: Allegedly assisted Chun by opening a U-Haul storage unit in her name to hide items and is also accused of stealing tips from a previous employer alongside Chun.