SM supports children in need with revenue from EXO's collaborative song
K-pop boy band EXO / Courtesy of SM Entertainment
By Dong Sun-hwa
SM Entertainment, home to K-pop boy band EXO, has made a donation with the revenue from the group's collaborative song, “Dancing King” (2017), to help children in need.
The K-pop powerhouse contributed 32 million won ($28,000) to the charity Beautiful Fund, Wednesday. The cash will be used for children who are legally required to leave childcare facilities and pursue independent livelihood when they turn 18.
The children required to leave childcare facilities are given about 5 million won each by local governments as they start their new lives, plus 300,000 won each month for the first three years.
“SM will also support Beautiful Fund's campaign that aims to raise public awareness of these children by making bags and storybooks about them,” the company said in a statement, Thursday.
Since 2017, SM has also been supporting a business that provides music education for children and teenagers. So far, the company has donated more than 240 million won ($210,000) ― which is also part of the earnings from “Dancing King,” a collaborative song between EXO and top comedian Yoo Jae-suk. The samba rhythm-based track swept multiple music streaming charts upon its release.
SM was founded by Lee Soo-man in 1989. Lee is behind the success of numerous big-name K-pop groups including TVXQ, Girls' Generation, EXO, Red Velvet and NCT.
In 2014, SM established “SMile,” a brand that implements various social contribution activities. It organizes the “SMile Music Festival” for aspiring singers and offers them mentoring programs among other benefits.