Donation of 27.6 million won collected on the street delivered
Comedian Hwang Gi-soon (60), who lost his entire fortune due to overseas gambling and even lived as a homeless person in the Philippines, has been reported to have overcome his gambling addiction and continued street fundraising for 22 years.
The Community Chest of Korea, known as Sarangui Yeolmae, announced that comedian Hwang Gi-soon and singer Park Sang-min, both ambassadors for the organization, raised 27,676,200 KRW through the 'Sarang Deohagi' performance and delivered the funds to Sarangui Yeolmae on the 19th.
'Sarang Deohagi' began as a fundraising event where Hwang Gi-soon, who traveled around the country in a wheelchair, donated 52 wheelchairs to organizations for the disabled. Since then, it has evolved into a busking and on-site fundraising event featuring celebrity talent donations, marking its 22nd year this year. Except for 2021, when the event was canceled due to COVID-19, Hwang has annually raised and delivered funds through various formats such as the bicycle cross-country challenge and street talent donation mini-concerts.
This year’s street fundraising also included participation from actor Kim Seong-hwan and singers Jo Hang-jo, Jin Sung, Jin Mi-ryeong, Namgung Ok-bun, and Kang Jin. The funds delivered this time will be used to support overseas disabled children with mobile strollers and for distributing briquettes at the end of the year.
Hwang Gi-soon said, "The fact that Sarang Deohagi has reached its 22nd event was possible because of colleagues who empathized with the cause and citizens who readily extended their hands. I sincerely thank everyone who has supported us for over 20 years, and I will continue fundraising activities as long as I am able."
Hwang Gi-soon debuted in the 1980s and gained nationwide popularity with his catchphrase "You can tell at a glance~." However, in 1997, he went to the Philippines for overseas gambling, went bankrupt, and lived as a homeless person there for a while. He returned to Korea in 2000 with the help of acquaintances and was sentenced to eight months in prison with a one-year probation. Since then, he has succeeded in making a comeback and has taken the lead in campaigns to prevent gambling addiction. He has also devoted himself to volunteer activities such as street fundraising, receiving a commendation for neighborly help from the Minister of Health and Welfare in 2005. At that time, Minister Kim Geun-tae praised him as "a life that succeeded in the second chance after defeat."
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