South Korean celebrities including actors and singers are rushing to help Japanese people who are in the worst situation in its recent history. From last weekend, every time, moment to moment, news media are covering the updates on Japan’s earthquake victim numbers and general situation, specifically on the possible nuclear disaster that was hit by the quake and tsunami, lost its cooling system through electricity out.
Meanwhile, South Korean celebrities, who has been loved most by the Japanese fans last decade in Korean culture wave, are expressing their sincere sympathy and condolence while donation no less money.
Actor, Bae Yong-joon, who has gained the most stardom in Japan, donated 1 billion won ($900,000) on Monday to relief efforts for victims of Japan disaster from the recent earthquake and tsunami.
“I express my deepest sympathy and condolence to victims who lost their lives and their families,” Bae said on his website late Monday.
Bae, whose stardom in Asia including Japan has started from TV drama “Winter Sonata” in 2003, has been regarded as a pioneer of Hallyu (means the wave of Korean culture). He is one of the most popular stars in Japan whom Japanese fans want to see the most in South Korean celebrities.
He also expressed his personal feeling and wrote “a sense of powerlessness” on his website, facing the massive disaster that took so many innocent lives. “I am too worried about the safety of my family,” he even referred to his fans as his family.
Another Korean stars, who are very young in their early 20s, or less, KARA - South Korean 5-member girl group - will donate all their income from their new single “Jet Coaster Love”.
DSP media, KARA’s management company, announced that all of the proceeds from KARA’s new single sales and its concerts will be donated for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami.
It added, “All the KARA member are very hurt for the Japanese victims and they are constantly looking for news updates on the disaster progress and the number of victims from moment to moment.”
Last week, KARA has concerts in Japan right before the disaster and had to return with emergency to Seoul.
Actor Jang Keun-suk also donated 10 million yen (104 million won) on Monday.
Jang delivered his donations to his Japanese fan club on Monday and it will donate the money by his name to the victim funds in Japan.
His management company said to media, “We didn’t know his donation and later found out. He didn’t want to reveal his name for his donation.”
Actor Song Seung-hun is one of the big Korean stars in Japan who have so many fans in Japan and Asia. He added his name Monday to the list of the South Korean celebrities who donated for the Japanese victims from the massive disaster.
He donated 200 million won ($180,000) to the Salvation Army Korea which has been collecting donations for the relief of Japan.
The Salvation Army said, “Actor Song Seung-hun transferred himself his donation money to Salvation Army account for helping Japanese victims,” it added, “He expressed his condolence to the victims and said he wanted to join this relief parades.”
Song reportedly said to the Army while donating, “I hope my small donation will help Japanese victims and families who are in the worst difficulties and more people join this relief campaign.”
Other than those stars, actor Ryu Si-won will donate 200 million won and even volunteer to work at quake-ravaged areas.
Even South Korea’s President stepped up for helping Japanese people while saying, “The closest neighbor should be the first to come to with help.”
A group of 100-members rescue workers already flew to Japan and started their relief activities on Monday.
(아주경제 송지영 기자)
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
