In the wake of the tragic Jeju Air crash on 29 December 2024, where 179 lives were lost and two others injured, several South Korean celebrities have stepped forward to support the victims' families through donations and heartfelt condolences.
J-Hope, a member of BTS, donated 100 million won (approximately $68,200) to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association.
In a statement, J-Hope said, “I decided to make a donation to help the bereaved families after I heard about the incident. I would like to express my deepest condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families and everyone who is suffering from grief due to this incident.”
J-Hope, a member of the Hope Bridge Honours Club for high-value donors, has a history of philanthropy, including a similar donation to aid victims of heavy rains in 2022.
Meanwhile, Actor-singer Yim Si-wan, known for his recent role as a cryptocurrency influencer in Squid Game 2, also donated to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association.
While the exact amount remains undisclosed, Yim stated, “I express my deep condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families who lost their beloved family members due to the unexpected tragedy.”
Other notable donations include 10 million won each from sports announcer Lee Na-yeon and rapper DinDin to the Korean Red Cross.
Additionally, Jin, a member of the K-pop girl group Lovelyz, also contributed to charitable efforts, though the exact amount was not disclosed. Comedian Park Na-rae, a native of Muan, donated to the Community Chest of Korea.
The South Korean government declared a seven-day national mourning period to honor the victims of the crash. The support from celebrities reflects a collective effort to aid the grieving families during this difficult time.