Gold, padded coats and massage machines: Korean celebrities go big on staff appreciation
From left, So Ji-sub, IU, and Go Youn-jung / Xportsnews
Korean celebrities are earning praise for going above and beyond when it comes to rewarding the staff members who support their productions.
On Friday, YouTube channel Fullmoon shared a heartwarming anecdote about actor So Ji-sub from the Netflix original series “Mercy for None.” Fellow actor Ahn Kil-kang said, "After the shoot was over, So Ji-sub gave each of us a piece of gold," highlighting the actor’s generous gesture toward both cast and crew.
So later explained, "I’ve always liked giving something back after wrapping a shoot. I paid for everything myself, but people assumed it was all sponsored. But with gold, there are no sponsors. I meant it as something they could sell if times got hard."
Actress Go Youn-jung also made headlines last December when she gifted over 150 long padded winter coats to staff members on the set of the Netflix series "Can This Love Be Translated?" Partnering with an outdoor clothing brand she models for, she has gifted coats to the crew two years in a row, leaving a lasting impression.
Girls’ Generation member Im Yoon-ah also drew attention when she gave out luxury massage machines to the crew of tvN’s upcoming drama “The Tyrant’s Chef,” set to air later this year. According to reports, she personally spent 30 million won (about $21,700) to purchase the products from a brand she endorses and included handwritten notes with each gift.
IU, long known for her thoughtful gestures, recently made headlines again for gifting every staff member on the set of the hit drama “When Life Gives You Tangerines” with gifts such as high-end headphones worth 700,000 won and custom footwear. Even when appearing as a guest on short-term projects, IU is known for preparing gifts for staff.
With celebrity gestures toward staff becoming more elaborate in scale, many netizens are praising these acts. Comments include: "Their character is as impressive as their talent," "Celebrities who treat staff well are the ones who last" and "Even with lots of money, it’s not easy to be that generous. Very admirable."
This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.