On April 3, 2025, Jin, a member of the globally renowned K-pop group BTS, actively engaged in volunteer efforts in Gilyeon-myeon, Andong, a community recently affected by wildfires. During his time there, the idol took part in a meal service, providing nourishment to both residents and emergency responders in the area.
“I decided to participate in volunteer work because I wanted to provide even a small amount of help to those affected by the wildfires,”his agency, BigHit Music, informed Newsen.
Dress appropriately in a black cap, a cardigan, and a gray apron supplied by Theborn Korea, Jin was recognized by many residents despite wearing a mask. Eyewitnesses reported that he worked alongside fellow volunteers quietly, keeping the focus on the task at hand rather than himself. His selfless actions have swiftly gained momentum on social media, with users praising his humility. One fan tweeted:
“Heart of gold, I’m so glad I stan the right people ❤️.”
The meal service, orchestrated by celebrated chef Baek Jong-won and his organization Theborn Korea, has managed to provide over 300 meals daily since March 28 to support disaster victims, firefighters, and anyone affected by the wildfires. Jin joined this important initiative following Baek Jong-won’s involvement, earning admiration for his commitment to philanthropy.
“I don’t usually commend idols who donate money to charities because, for many of them, that money is often just spare change. Jin himself going out there to help directly, quietly, is so genuine it brings me to tears,”a fan remarked.
“I’m not Korean, but I’m touched and grateful that there’s a responsible celebrity who truly cares about his people 🥺🖤,”a user mentioned.
“This is why I look up to him; he inspires all of us to become better people through his good deeds. 😭💜,”a person shared.
The heartfelt sentiments continued:
“Seeing him like this inspires me to do something great in the world as well—to be kind and share or help others with what I have or what I can do. Jin is truly a good person. 💞,”a netizen said.
“After months of respecting others’ promotional activities, this is how we get to see him. Seokjin knows how to evoke emotions—he brings us joy (with shows like Run Jin) and then happy tears with moments like this. 🫶🏻,”a viewer noted.
“His gesture is incredibly special. Donating money is crucial, and he’s done that too, but personally serving people, giving his time quietly and humbly, means so much more,”another fan added.
Local Residents Speak on Jin’s Philanthropic Efforts
As he helped distribute food, Jin also offered encouragement to residents of Gilyeon-myeon. One local described him as a diligent volunteer who seamlessly integrated with his peers, focusing intently on his responsibilities.
“I heard he’s a famous celebrity, but to me, he just appeared as a kind and sincere young man. He didn’t stand out among other volunteers; he just worked hard,”a resident commented.
Jin has a longstanding collaboration with chef Baek Jong-won, having appeared together on multiple shows such as SBS’s Baek Jong-won’s 3 Heavenly Kings in 2017 and Matnam’s Square in 2021. Furthermore, Jin participated in BTS’s own variety show Run BTS.
In addition to his recent volunteer work, Jin has a strong philanthropic history. In early 2019, he earned a place in the UNICEF Honor Society after donating over 100 million won. Most recently, he contributed another 100 million won to Korea University Medical Center to assist patients with rare ailments in developing nations.
It’s worth noting that following the wildfires, the other BTS members also made significant donations to disaster recovery efforts. Jungkook donated 1 billion won, V contributed 200 million won, while RM, j-hope, and Suga each supported the cause with 100 million won donations.