IU donates $146,000 on debut anniversary
Singer and actor IU / Courtesy of EDAM Entertainment
Singer and actor IU marked her debut anniversary by donating 200 million won ($146,000), once again carrying out her philanthropy under both her own name and that of her fan club.
Her agency EDAM Entertainment said Thursday that IU contributed the funds under the name “IUaena," her longtime fan club. The donation will go toward supporting children with rare diseases, people with disabilities, young adults preparing for independent living and elderly people living alone.
IU has made it a tradition to give back on meaningful occasions such as her debut anniversary, birthday and year-end holidays. In March, she donated 200 million won to aid victims of wildfires in Korea’s southeast region and to improve working conditions for firefighters.
Earlier this month, IU held a two-day fan meetup titled “Bye, Summer," creating memorable moments with her fans. During the encore, she approached audience members in wheelchair seats, singing to them and holding their hands, a gesture widely praised as a reflection of her deep affection for fans.
Her new single “Bye, Summer,” which she released as a surprise gift for fans on the morning of the event, has topped domestic and international charts. U.S. magazine Forbes also highlighted the release, underscoring IU’s strong global presence.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.