Not Something Money Alone Can Do: This K-pop Idol Donates ₩1 Billion for Wildfire Relief (Statement)

As South Korea faces one of the most devastating wildfires in its history, K-pop group SEVENTEEN has stepped forward with a generous donation of ₩1 billion KRW (approx. $682,000 USD), offering hope and support to those affected.

On March 27, the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association announced that SEVENTEEN donated ₩1 billion to aid residents impacted by the wildfires across Ulsan, North Gyeongsang, and South Gyeongsang Provinces.

In a statement, the group shared, "We hope our donation can provide even a small amount of help to those who were affected by the wildfires. We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and send our heartfelt support to everyone going through this difficult time."

This donation is not a one-off gesture. SEVENTEEN has consistently supported disaster recovery efforts and vulnerable communities, both in South Korea and abroad, continuing to use their platform for meaningful impact beyond their success as global idols.

Hope Bridge stated that SEVENTEEN’s contribution will be used immediately to assist wildfire victims. Secretary-General Shin Hoon expressed his gratitude, saying, "We sincerely thank the members of SEVENTEEN for their warm donation. The funds will be used promptly and transparently to help affected residents return to normal life as soon as possible."

Currently, Hope Bridge is actively distributing emergency supplies to wildfire sites including Uiseong County in North Gyeongsang and Sancheong County in South Gyeongsang. The organization has also dispatched mobile laundry and mental recovery support vehicles to temporary shelters. Additional aid is being considered in cooperation with local governments.

The scale of this wildfire disaster is unprecedented. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, as of 6 a.m. on March 27, the fires had resulted in 56 casualties—including 26 deaths, 8 critically injured, and 22 with minor injuries. Most of the fatalities occurred in North Gyeongsang Province, with additional losses reported in Ulsan and South Gyeongsang.

More than 37,000 people have been evacuated, with nearly 30,000 displaced from the hardest-hit areas of Uiseong and Andong alone. Around 16,700 residents have yet to return to their homes.

Over 36,000 hectares of forest have been destroyed by the fires—surpassing the damage caused by the previous record-holding wildfire on the East Coast in 2000 by over 10,000 hectares.

The fire, which began on March 21 in Sancheong, South Gyeongsang, has continued for over a week. There are currently 10 major wildfire zones, and containment rates vary significantly across regions. Andong and Uiseong are only about 52–54% contained, while areas like Yeongdeok and Yeongyang remain below 20%.

With its staggering scale and impact, the disaster is no longer just a natural crisis—it has become a national emergency requiring collective response and solidarity across society.