![Singer Shon completes his seventh 81.5-kilometer run at the 2026 "815 Run." [Photo provided by Habitat for Humanity Korea]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/08/17/news-p.v1.20260817.80f86e8db9bf4e9b91d7075d5a51c33d_P1.jpg)
Singer Shon, widely regarded as a symbol of charitable giving in South Korea's entertainment world, has once again completed an 81.5-kilometer run.
The seventh edition of the charity run raised 2.6 billion won ($1.84 million) for housing support for descendants of independence patriots, pushing the cumulative total past 10 billion won.
While pro-Japanese collaborators amassed considerable wealth during the colonial era and in the years immediately following liberation — aided by remnants of the colonial apparatus — many independence patriots and their descendants continue to live in poverty.
Habitat for Humanity Korea and singer Shon announced the successful conclusion of the "815 Run," a charity marathon held to mark Liberation Day this year.
The "815 Run" is a fundraising marathon campaign designed to reflect on the meaning of Liberation Day and to express gratitude to those who devoted themselves to the nation's independence. The event carries the message: "It will be all right, Korea!"
Habitat for Humanity Korea and Shon have held the "815 Run" every year since 2020, with this year marking the seventh edition. The campaign raised approximately 2.6 billion won for housing support for descendants of independence patriots, bringing the cumulative total to around 10 billion won.
Companies that joined Shon in supporting descendants of impoverished independence patriots
Corporate sponsors this year included Miracle 365, The North Face, Punglim Muyak, Korea Tech, Dongsuh Foods, Gentle Monster, Paradise, Daewoong Pharma, SYTS, GH, Krafton, Micro Kickboard, The Hyundai, Inveni, AIA, Samjong KPMG, Unid, GS Engineering & Construction, GS Caltex, GS Retail, GS Ventures, GS Power, GS Energy, LIG, LIG Accuver, LIG D&A, LIG Huseco, LIG System, Myeongseong Liffix, Kolon, Haeseong Group, L&F, Dongnimmun, Glenwood Private Equity, Com2uS, KMA, HD Hyundai 1% Sharing Foundation, Samsung Health, Seah Group, Fursys Holdings, Sampyo Group, Mobarun Clinic, Garam System, EX Healthcare, Hwapyeong Dental Clinic, HS Hyosung Advanced Materials, Aju, Aju IB Investment, Dasan Structural Engineering, Korea Specialty Contractors Association — Interior Construction Division, Hankook &, Handok Motors, Hannamdong Hanbang Tongdak, Motus Company, Dongkuk Steel Mill, Shinsegae DF, Bedivero, LH, Kolmar Holdings, Taehyeong Recycling, Samyang International, Korea Electric Power Corporation, Law Firm Jeongui, Kakao, Hwaseung, Tresji Partners, Game Talent Foundation, Samgi, IBX Partners, Doowon Heavy Industries, Hong Jin-kyeong, SGC Energy, Nexen, Ido, Daeshin Financial Group, Gunsan Leisure Industry, Wonrim, Diom, DYC, DYC Dynamics, Hwayo, Biyu, Woongjin, Autostadt, Resort People, Daekyo, Samil Pharmaceutical, Hansae, LS MnM, Aurora World, MBN, Oriental Shipping, KH Energy, DB Insurance, Forest Partners, Sungju Foundation, Powerade and Farm Alive.
The 2026 "815 Run" was held in two formats: a virtual run from Aug. 1 to Aug. 23, and an in-person run held Saturday at World Cup Park in Sangam, Seoul. This year's in-person event drew a record 7,000 participants.
The virtual run allows participants to choose from courses of 3.1 kilometers, 4.5 kilometers or 8.15 kilometers at a location of their choosing, then log their run on Naver Happy Bean, Instagram or a Naver blog. Participants are also entered into a prize draw for items including a Galaxy Watch.
Concert by Yoon Do-hyun; Lee Young-pyo, Park Bo-gum and others run alongside Shon
On Liberation Day afternoon at World Cup Park, in-person participants completed the 8.15-kilometer course and enjoyed a special concert by singers Shon and Yoon Do-hyun.
Earlier that morning, Shon set off on his 81.5-kilometer run and finished in 8 hours, 20 minutes and 2 seconds. A group of 45 pacers, organized in teams of five, ran alongside him. Among those who served as pacers were Lee Young-pyo, Park Bo-gum, Kwon Eun-ju, Jo Won-hee, Jin Seon-gyu, Ko Han-min, Shim Eutteum, Kim Hyeong-cheol, Won Hyeong-seok, Kim Dong-hyeon, Jin Tae-hyeon, Kwak Yun-gi, Shin Gi-hae, Kwon Hwa-un and Lee Yeon-jin.
Combined individual entry fees and corporate donations from more than 150 companies totaled 2,604,821,750 won, all of which will go toward improving the housing conditions of independence patriots' descendants.
Before the in-person run, Shon told participants: "I think the 8.15 kilometers we run together is a letter of gratitude to the independence patriots who devoted themselves to this country. I hope children and young people will carry this spirit forward."
Ma Hee-ja, chairwoman of Habitat for Humanity Korea, said the "815 Run" charity marathon, which began as a way to express gratitude to independence patriots, had reached its seventh year. "Thanks to the participation of so many runners and the support of our corporate sponsors, I hope we can provide safe and warm homes to even more families of independence patriots' descendants," she said.
A preliminary event called the "815 km Relay Run" was held from July 20 to July 23 at the multi-sports zone track along Anyangcheon in Seoul, where 100 runners took turns completing 8.15-kilometer legs in relay fashion over 72 hours to cover a total of 815 kilometers, raising awareness for the housing support initiative for independence patriots' descendants.
Through the "815 Run" from 2020 to 2026, Habitat for Humanity Korea has brought together approximately 70,000 runners from home and abroad, 270 pacers and 385 corporate sponsors, raising around 10 billion won. With those funds, the organization has dedicated homes to 23 families of independence patriots' descendants, and construction is currently under way on homes 24 through 32.
abc@heraldcorp.com
