Performers at the 'MAMA AWARDS' Also Make Donations
On the 27th at around 9 p.m. local time, the fire department was extinguishing the remaining fire at the high-rise apartment complex 'Wang Fuk Court' in Tai Po, northern Hong Kong. Photo by Yonhap News
After a massive fire at a high-rise apartment complex in Hong Kong resulted in significant casualties, K-pop singers and their agencies are offering donations and messages of support to aid the victims.
According to the Hong Kong fire authorities on the 28th, a fire broke out at a 32-story residential high-rise apartment complex at 2:52 p.m. on the 26th. So far, 83 people have been confirmed dead, 76 injured, and more than 279 residents remain missing. Authorities have raised the fire alert to the highest level, Level 5. This fire is expected to be recorded as the worst disaster in Hong Kong since its return to China in 1997.
Yuqi, the Chinese member of the girl group (G)I-DLE, posted a message in Chinese on social media on the 27th, saying, "I hope everyone is safe," offering comfort to the victims. (G)I-DLE donated 1 million yuan (about 200 million won) to the China Fosun Foundation to support emergency relief and reconstruction in the affected area.
Jackson, a member of GOT7 who is from Hong Kong, shared information about major evacuation centers in Hong Kong on social media, writing, "Please share this widely. This is what is happening in Hong Kong right now." He also urged, "Please pass on this information so that people and animals in need can receive proper aid." Jackson, together with his clothing brand Team Wang, donated 1 million Hong Kong dollars (about 188 million won) to Hong Kong Tung Wah Hospital.
Major domestic entertainment agencies also made donations in succession. On the 27th, SM Entertainment announced via its official Weibo account that it had donated 1 million Hong Kong dollars (about 190 million won) to the Hong Kong Red Cross Society of China. SM-affiliated groups aespa and RIIZE donated 500,000 Hong Kong dollars (about 90 million won) and 250,000 Hong Kong dollars (about 50 million won), respectively, to the same organization. Aespa stated, "We hope our small contribution can be of help," while RIIZE said, "We hope this will aid in rescue operations and subsequent support."
YG Entertainment also announced via Weibo that it would donate 1 million Hong Kong dollars for emergency relief and disaster recovery support. YG expressed, "We offer our deepest condolences to the victims," adding, "We hope this small donation can be of some help."
This tragedy occurred just before the '2025 MAMA AWARDS,' a K-pop awards ceremony. The event will proceed as scheduled at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium on the 28th and 29th. SM-affiliated groups aespa and RIIZE, as well as YG-affiliated groups BABYMONSTER and TREASURE, are set to perform, and Yang Hyun-suk, Chief Producer of YG, will also attend. The organizer, CJ ENM, stated, "We are carefully designing the stage to deliver comfort and hope, rather than focusing on flashy performances."
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