Fans of singer Lim Young-woong, organized in chapters spanning cities and counties across South Korea and even overseas, maintain a fierce but good-natured internal rivalry — whenever one chapter takes charitable action, others feel compelled to follow, generating a sustained collective force.
The dynamic extends beyond the fan base: when fans give, Lim joins in, creating a virtuous cycle of giving between star and supporters. Charitable organizations, including the Community Chest of Korea, have praised it as a model of philanthropy unlike anything seen elsewhere in the world.
Members of Yeongung Sidae's Gangwon Province Hongcheon chapter visited the Hongcheon-gun office Wednesday to donate 100 bags of rice — each weighing 10 kilograms — for vulnerable residents in the area. Chapter president Sa Jin-yeo and about six other members attended the handover ceremony.
A Hongcheon-gun official thanked the chapter members for their continued generosity toward local neighbors, pledging that the donated rice would be delivered without delay to marginalized residents in need, in keeping with the donors' intentions.
The donation carries added significance as part of an ongoing commitment to giving rather than a one-time gesture. The Hongcheon chapter also visited the Oesampo senior center in Hwachon-myeon on May 15, Parents' Day, treating 75 elderly residents to samgyetang and refreshments.
On that occasion, members presented the seniors with hand-knitted scrubbers they had made themselves, along with photos of Lim Young-woong, creating a memorable experience for those in attendance.
"It is a joy to see the warm hearts of fans cheering on singer Lim Young-woong come together to provide real help to neighbors in our community," chapter president Sa said. "Starting with this act of sharing in Hongcheon, I hope the active volunteer spirit and positive influence of Yeongung Sidae members across the country will spread ever more widely."
Elsewhere in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, members of the Yeongdong regional Yeongung Sidae chapter recently made a charitable donation to the city of Donghae.
abc@heraldcorp.com
