In October 2021, the four members of the K-pop group Blackpink released a statement that they will no longer accept gifts from fans to commemorate special dates to Blackpink such as the members’ birthdays and the group’s anniversaries.
Similarly, before Blackpink, singer-actress IU had also urged her fans – called the Uaenas – not to buy her gifts on her birthday.
She reasoned: “Let me feel the joy of buying things that I want for myself”. Thus, Uaenas honour IU’s birthday by doing community service under the star’s name.
While fans go to great lengths to prepare gifts for their favourite stars, a few Korean artistes choose to celebrate their birthdays by making worthwhile donations instead.
IU
IU is known for her generosity and not just on her birthday.
Just to highlight her recent donations, the Lilac singer gave 3,000 medical protective clothing for doctors and 4,600 cooling vests for nurses in 2020 to aid the frontliners during the peak of coronavirus pandemic.
This year, on her birthday (May 16) the Hotel Del Luna actress donated 500mil won (RM1.82mil) to multiple organisations to help children with rare diseases and single-parent families.
And to celebrate her 13th year of being an artiste in 2021, the 28-year-old gave 450mil won (RM1.58mil) worth of commodities and goods to underprivileged individuals.
BTS
Paying it forward on their birthdays has become a norm for the BTS members.
To mark his 28th birthday on March 9, Suga donated 100mil won (RM351,711) to help children living with cancer.
The rapper donated to Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital specifically, which is located at his hometown Daegu. He also donated to Covid-19 relief efforts in South Korea last year, as well as to nursery schools and a paediatric cancer foundation in 2018 and 2019.
Suga’s birthday donation followed that of bandmate J-Hope, who gave 150mil won (RM527,090) to Child Fund Korea on his 27th birthday on Feb 18.
It’s reported J-Hope had donated 100mil won in 2020 and 2019, as well as 150mil won in 2018 to the same foundation. On Children’s Day in Korea (in May), the smooth dancer further contributed a sum of 100mil won to the organisation.
Likewise, Jimin celebrated his 27th birthday on Oct 13 by donating more than 100mil won to ChildFund Korea. He donated the same amount to a campaign that aims to create vaccines against polio permanently, via the Gosung Rotary Club, which is located near his hometown, Busan.
Meanwhile, leader RM, 27, is also known for his philanthropy acts; he usually supports museums and cultural foundations with his donation of 100mil won on his birthday (Sept 12).
Lee Byung-hun
The Mr Sunshine star donated 100mil won to children’s hospital on his birthday (July 12).
The money will be used to relieve the financial burdens of young patients and their families and help them continue necessary medical care, elaborated a report.
Late last year too, the 51-year-old actor donated 100mil won to underprivileged children suffering financially due to the pandemic.
Lee Hye-ri
On her birthday (June 9), member of Girl’s Day Lee Hye-ri donated 50mil won (RM184,440) to Unicef’s campaign to provide hygiene products to adolescent girls in developing countries.
The My Roomate Is A Gumiho actress, 27, donated 100mil won in 2019 to Unicef as well for another of its campaign, Schools for Asia.
Kim Yoo-jung
The star turned 22 on Sept 22 by giving 30mil won (RM105,000) to Child Fund Korea.
One article outlined that the Lovers Of The Red Sky actress has consistently made donations to help children in need, whether by paying young patients’ medical treatment expenses or donating to children in low-income households.
Her birthday donation is meant to help young victims of crime to make a fresh start.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
