As South Korea mourns the deadly Jeju Air plane crash that killed 179 people on Dec. 29, Korean celebrities have provided donations to help the victims.
Jeju Air Flight 2216 from Bangkok, Thailand, made a belly landing, hit an embankment and exploded at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province in South Korea, killing 179 passengers and crew while two were rescued.
The Jeju Air plane crash in a video obtained by Korean media outlet MBC News (Screenshots from MBC News video)
BTS' J-Hope and "Squid Game" season 2 star Im Si-wan (Instagram, Netflix)
The Korean government declared a national mourning period until Jan. 4.
On Jan. 2, the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association announced that BTS’ J-Hope donated 100 million won (about $68,000) to help the victims of the plane crash and their families.
“After hearing the news of the accident, I decided to donate in hopes of providing some help to the bereaved families. I express my deepest condolences and comfort to the bereaved families as well as everyone who is grieving from this accident,” said J-Hope who was discharged from the Korean Army in October last year.
J-Hope is a member of the Hope Bridge Honors Club, a group of major donors who have contributed 100 million won each or more.
Broadcaster Jang Sung-kyu visited the Jeju Air plane crash memorial altar and donated 10 million won (about $6,800) to the Korean Red Cross.
Actor Im Si-wan, who is starring in “Squid Game” season 2, also made a donation through the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association.
“I would like to express my deepest condolences and words of comfort to the bereaved families who have lost their beloved family members in an unexpected accident overnight,” he said, Korean media reported.
DinDin, Jay B, comedians Hong Yung Hee and Lee Seung-yoon, and entertainer Park Na-rae also made donations.