BTS Members Show Solidarity by Supporting Wildfire Victims in South Korea
On March 27, 2025, it was officially announced by Money Control that j-hope, a member of BTS, made a significant donation of 100 million KRW (approximately $68,350) to the Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association. Alongside him, fellow BTS member SUGA also contributed the same amount, highlighting the group’s commitment to social issues.
This generous support aims to provide vital emergency assistance and facilitate the long-term recovery of individuals affected by the recent catastrophic wildfires. South Korea has been grappling with severe wildfires that have engulfed regions in Ulsan, Gyeongbuk, and Gyeongnam, leading to the destruction of homes and necessitating the evacuation of thousands of residents.
Devastating Impact of the Wildfires
According to a report from the BBC on the same day, the wildfires not only caused widespread devastation but also resulted in the tragic loss of over 27 lives. The incident has sparked an outpouring of support from various sectors, including numerous celebrities such as IU, SEVENTEEN, Byeon Woo-seok, and Kim Ji-won.
Fans Advocate for Their Heroes
Fans have expressed immense admiration for j-hope, praising his dedication to helping his compatriots amid this national crisis. Despite being engaged in his solo world tour, he managed to make the donation through his agency, BIGHIT MUSIC. One fan referred to him as an “angel,”emphasizing his character and commitment:
“j-hope! Our angel”
Others echoed their support, sharing their pride in being part of the BTS fandom, known as ARMY. One fan remarked:
“One of the reasons I’m proud of being ARMY,”a fan wrote.
Another fan called j-hope “the most kind-hearted human” and thanked him for his generosity:
“The most kind-hearted human!!! Thank you j-hope,”another fan wrote.
highlights of j-hope’s charitable endeavors in 2025 include contributions to the Jeju Airline crash victims and support for the Children’s Hospital of Seoul Asan Medical Center, totaling 400 million won this year alone. His continual commitment has led fans to label both him and SUGA as “angels on earth”:
“ANGELS ON EARTH truly,”another fan added.
Widespread Celebrity Philanthropy Amidst Crisis
The wildfires, deemed the worst in South Korea’s history, began on March 21, 2025, fueled by strong winds and dry conditions. The scale of devastation has resulted in the loss of between 18 to 28 lives, with over 37,000 people displaced and numerous structures, including the ancient Gounsa Temple, reduced to ashes.
The total area consumed by the fires spans tens of thousands of hectares, marking this as the most significant single forest fire event the nation has faced. In response, other South Korean celebrities have stepped up to provide relief aid. IU, for instance, donated 200 million KRW to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association specifically to support the relief efforts and assist firefighters battling the blazes.
Furthermore, the immensely popular boy band SEVENTEEN made a substantial donation of 1 billion KRW, showcasing their unwavering support for the affected communities. JYP Entertainment, representing beloved groups like TWICE and Stray Kids, also donated 500 million KRW via World Vision to aid impacted residents, especially children.
Here is a summary of notable donations from South Korean celebrities for wildfire relief:
- SEVENTEEN: 1 billion KRW (approx. $682,000)
- JYP Entertainment: 500 million KRW (approx. $341,000)
- IU: 200 million KRW (approx. $136,000)
- BTS’ SUGA: 100 million KRW (approx. $68,200)
- BTS’ j-hope: 100 million KRW (approx. $68,200)
- Additional donations from various artists: Included amounts from SNSD’s Taeyeon, Red Velvet’s Seulgi, MONSTA X and more, all donating 100 million KRW.
A Track Record of Generosity
j-hope has a proven history of charitable giving, having made significant donations throughout 2025 alone. Earlier in February, he contributed 200 million KRW to initiate a children’s hospital at the Asan Medical Center and responded with 100 million KRW for the victims of the Jeju Air disaster in January. His total contributions since BTS’s debut in 2018 now exceed 1.2 billion KRW.
j-hope and his fellow BTS members continue to inspire with their philanthropic efforts, demonstrating that their influence extends far beyond their music, making a tangible difference in their community during times of need.