Appearing in Casual Clothes, Not as 'NewJeans-nim'
Comedian Yoon Seong-ho, who also performs under the name 'NewJeans-nim,' donated 10 million won to a retirement welfare fund for monks. The foundation to which Yoon Seong-ho donated is 'Areumdaun Donghaeng,' a public interest foundation established by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism (Jogyejong).
On the 21st, Yoon Seong-ho visited the Jogyejong General Affairs Office. On that day, he handed over 10 million won to Areumdaun Donghaeng at the Korean Buddhist History and Culture Memorial Hall, requesting that it be used for the retirement welfare of monks.
He was dressed in casual clothes rather than monastic robes, which contrasted with his usual appearances as his alter ego, NewJeans-nim, when visiting temples. When asked why he was donating for monk welfare, Yoon Seong-ho joked, "My older brother is a monk."
Comedian Yoon Sung-ho (far right) donated 10 million won to 'Beautiful Companionship' on the 21st. [Image source=Jogye Order]
When wearing monastic robes, Yoon Seong-ho refers to himself as 'NewJeans-nim,' while in his usual appearance, he claims to be NewJeans-nim’s twin younger brother. By calling his robed self 'older brother,' he elicited laughter from the audience.
When Jinwoo-nim, the head of the General Affairs Office, asked, "How did you come up with the idea to donate?" Yoon Seong-ho replied, "I intended to donate all the proceeds if I filmed a commercial," but added, "Although I didn’t film the commercial, I thought it was something I naturally had to do, so I donated."
He also emphasized, "I plan to continue donating in the future," explaining, "When a vessel overflows, you need the attitude to empty it."
Comedian Yoon Sung-ho is performing at the 'National Samsung Electronics Union Cultural Event' held in front of the Samsung Electronics headquarters in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on May 24. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Jinwoo-nim expressed gratitude, saying, "He is acting as a bridge between people and Buddhism, and this time, through his donation, he seems to be spreading the Buddhist idea of compassion. There was a perception that Buddhism was a solemn and difficult religion for young people, but Yoon Seong-ho has helped dispel that a lot, so I am thankful."
Meanwhile, Yoon Seong-ho has been active in various Buddhist promotional events while dressed in monk’s robes as NewJeans-nim. After DJing at last year’s Yeondeunghoe festival, he has been invited to various Buddhist events this year. Earlier, Yoon Seong-ho received the Dharma name 'NewJeon' from Monk Osim last year, which combines 'new' (New) and 'advance' (進), meaning 'to advance newly.'
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
