K-drama and K-pop stars who are rich, famous, talented and extremely generous
As we move into the last months of the year and the season of giving, it’s time to take stock and think about what we can do to help the less fortunate. You don’t have to be as wealthy as a famous Korean celebrity to donate to those in need, though superstars like IU, BTS and Shin Min-a serve as inspirational figures when it comes to being generous. Yes, they earn bucketloads of cash, but they also give away millions in Korean won to the poor and disadvantaged. Some of these stars may have come from humble backgrounds and know what it’s like to live in poverty. Others just like to spread their good fortune around, instead of spending all their moolah on themselves and expensive houses, cars and jewellery. Here are some big-hearted celebs and their contributions to charity.
1. IU
The multi-talented IU, born Lee Ji-eun, doesn’t just have an angelic voice, she’s an actual angel. The 28-year-old K-pop and K-drama superstar is well-known for her philanthropy, and besides being one of Korean entertainment’s top earners, worth some US$45 million, she’s also one of the most generous, giving yearly to charitable organisations and those in need. The Hotel del Luna actress recently celebrated 13 years in showbiz with a huge donation, rallying brands she works with to donate 850 million won (US$719,120) in first aid kits, sneakers, pizzas and more to selected charities, shelters and health centres. She herself donated about US$370,000. The star also donated 500 million won (US$422,500) to charity on her birthday in May, and gave home appliances such as fridges and washing machines to needy single mothers.
She’s apparently amassed more than 1.5 billion won (US$1.27 million) in donations since 2011, and was feted as one of Forbes Asia's Heroes of Philanthropy in 2019, the youngest to make the list. She contributed to South Korea’s Covid-19 efforts by donating 260 million won (US$220,000) for masks and medical supplies to low-income families. She also helped the victims of the Gangwon Province forest fire that left nearly 4,200 people homeless, and held a series of concerts to benefit the victims of the Sewol ferry tragedy, which claimed more than 300 lives, most of them high school students. 100 per cent of the proceeds from the concerts, which made around 250 million won (US$211,000), were donated to the victims. She’s also given to the Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation numerous times to help disadvantaged children, as well as to the Seoul Association of the Deaf and senior citizens’ charities.
Read more: K-Pop Star IU is Celebrating 13 Years in Show Business With a Huge Donation