IU Donates 225 Mln Won in Celebration of 16th Debut Anniversary

연합뉴스 / 2024-09-19 07:36:51

▲ This photo, provided by EDAM Entertainment, shows K-pop diva IU. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Sept. 19 (Yonhap) -- IU marked the 16th anniversary of her debut by donating 225 million (US$170,000) on the 18th under the name "IUaena," a combination of her own name and her fandom's name "Uaena."

According to her agency, EDAM Entertainment, the donation was made to several organizations, including the Korea Association for Children with Rare Diseases, the Elderly Care Milk Delivery Program, Hansarang Village, and Hansarang Infant Care Center.

This annual donation tradition is IU’s way of giving back to the love and support she receives from her fans. The funds will go towards treatment, education, and counseling for children with rare diseases, providing milk and visitation services for the elderly living alone, upgrading aging elevators in facilities for individuals with severe disabilities, and improving amenities in infant care centers.

▲ This photo, provided by EDAM Entertainment, shows K-pop diva IU. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

IU has consistently donated during significant occasions, such as Children's Day, the end of the year, and her birthday. Earlier this year, in January, she donated funds to help with heating costs for vulnerable communities, and in May, she contributed ₩200 million to organizations including the Korean Society for Social Welfare and the Love Snail Foundation.

IU expressed her gratitude, stating, "Thanks to Uaena, I've come to hold a heart and values filled with love, and I am happy to be able to do something meaningful every year under the name 'IUaena.' Though it's a small gesture, I hope it serves as a special gift to those who receive it. Thank you to Uaena for always filling my heart with love."

IU is also set to hold a solo concert at Seoul World Cup Stadium on September 21-22, becoming the first female artist to do so.