Bong Joon-ho, Hyun Bin and Lee Min-ho Among Others Spark a Wave of Support and Donations

The spread of COVID-19 is creating an unprecedented crisis not only in Korea, but also in the world. The daily lives of the people were shattered, as a whole society was in a mood of stagnation. Entertainment and sports stars and cultural figures are drawing attention as they speak out to overcome the crisis. We gathered together the voices of support to overcome COVID-19 and revive the flames of hope.

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First of all, director Bong Joon-ho and lead actor Song Kang-ho, who captivated the world with the film "Parasite", donated 100 million won each to console those suffering from COVID-19.

In February, director Bong Joon-ho donated 100 million won under the name of the film "Parasite" to the Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association. Song Kang-ho and production company Barunson E&A also joined the donation parade with 100 million won each.

Bong said, "First of all, I thank and support many medical staff, government officials and quarantine authorities who work directly at the forefront of the quarantine".

"I hope the day will come soon when everyone can join forces to completely overcome the virus and gather with bright faces at schools, theaters, concert halls and soccer stadiums and shake hands with each other again", he said, sharing this message online.

In late February, actor Hyun Bin made headlines by donating 200 million won. He donated 200 million won to the Community Chest of Korea's Love Fruit without his agency knowing, and sent a letter of support to the agency, saying, "There have always been difficult times, but just as we have been supporting each other through the difficulties, I hope this COVID-19 will pass as soon as possible".

Hallyu star Kim Soo-hyun also donated 100 million won. In February, he made a donation to the Daegu Community Chest of Korea where the damage is most severe, to help comfort and support.

Jung Woo-sung and Lee Jung-jae, known best friends in the showbiz, also spread their good influence by delivering donations and cheering messages.

Jung Woo-sung said on his social media in March, "Everyone is having a hard time because of the COVID-19 infection. While there are people who are struggling with isolation, there are those who have to keep going to work despite anxiety. As a community of humanity, transcending race, religion, political ideology and nation, we must achieve coexistence with the power of solidarity called 'people and people' toward members who are in more difficult situations than ourselves", he said.

"We should achieve universal symbiosis beyond differences in generations, occupations and cultures", he added. He also donated 100 million won to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Actor Lee Jung-jae also donated 100 million won, striving to support medical staff and the vulnerable.

Lee Jung-jae said, "I hope it will be helpful to those who are suffering from COVID-19 and to medical staff, officials and volunteers who are committed in the front line of the field", and added, "I want to express my support and gratitude".

Actor Lee Min-ho also donated as much as 300 million won to deliver 'good influence'. He delivered 300 million won in donations through PROMIZ, a donation platform, to a total of eight donation organizations, including the Community Chest of Korea (hereinafter referred to as the Fruit of Love), NGO Good Neighbors, Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association, Save the Children, and Green Umbrella Children's Foundation.

Lee Min-ho has been practicing sharing with his fans. PROMIZ is a donation platform established by Lee Min-ho to practice sharing with fans. It has consistently pursued the value of Fun Donations since it began in March 2014, winning the Good Brand Grand Prize for three consecutive years.

The donations will be quickly used to purchase personal hygiene products to prevent infection of children from low-income and immune-vulnerable groups who need help across the country, including Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, and quarantine supplies for medical staff working hard against COVID-19.

Actor Lee Byung-hun then donated 100 million won to the Community Chest of Korea's Fruit of Love. "I deeply sympathize with the seriousness of the spread of COVID-19 and decided to donate hoping everyone will join forces", he said.

Actress Son Ye-jin donated 100 million won to Daegu, which was directly hit by COVID-19. She said, "Daegu is my hometown and where my parents live, so it's even more special for me. It was sad and heartbreaking to hear the news of Daegu through the news. Low-income people need help more than ever. I hope it will be of substantial help to the treatment of the virus and quarantine activities", she said.

Actress Han Ji-min donated 100 million won worth of medical protective clothing. "Han Ji-min donated more than 3,000 medical protective clothing (worth 100 million won in total) through the Daegu City Medical Association", the agency said.

Han Ji-min, in particular, reportedly purchased protective clothing personally for those who are having a hard time due to COVID-19.

Actor So Ji-sub donated 300 million won through Good Neighbors to support protective gear and daily necessities for the vulnerable. He also announced his marriage to former announcer Cho Eun-jung on April 7 and expressed his intention to deliver donations instead of having a grand wedding.

So Ji-sub's agency said, "We will donate 50 million won to Good Neighbors to provide tablet PCs and smart devices to children in vulnerable classes in order to comfort and help them at least a little bit".

Other actors, such as Jun Ji-hyun, Shin Min-a, Kim Woo-bin, and Sol Kyung-gu, Song Yoon-ah, Kim Young-chul, Gong Yoo, Park Seo-joon, Jung Hae-in and Lee Seo-jin donated 100 million won to help those who are suffering from the crisis too.