Korean celebs extend helping hand and prayers to Japan

Clockwise from top left, Bae Yong-joon, Kim Hyun-joong, Lee Byung-heon, Jang Keun-suk [10Asia]

Many Korean singers and actors are extending a helping hand and their condolences to a fast-growing list of celebrities in the country who have joined in efforts to help a quake-stricken Japan.

Just today, top actor Lee Byung-hun, also one of the most popular Korean actors in the neighboring nation, donated 50 million yen, equivalent to 620,000 U.S. dollars, to Japan's Red Cross to help the country caring for millions of people without power or water after an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.9 sent a 10-meter (33-foot) wave surging through several of its towns and cities on March 11.

A few days earlier, the star of 2009 smash-hit KBS TV series "IRIS" had written on his official website, "I don't know how to start this message but I too am feeling how weak mankind is in front of this sudden huge natural disaster...... I am heeding attention to the news ever since the incident first got reported and not only I but the entire world is praying that everyone will overcome this great misfortune that has hit Japan."

On Wednesday, singing trio JYJ too announced that they will contribute 600 million won, over 500,000 U.S. dollars, to international relief agency World Vision for the provision of emergency relief goods to Sendai in the Miyagi Prefecture and Fukushima Prefecture which have been hit worst, as well as for reconstructing and restoring cities and building rest areas for children.

"We were hesitant to make it known that we're making a donation but I think our actions will spur action to be taken by other people. We hope it'll be used on the areas which have been damaged the worst and that Korean nationals living in Japan and Japanese people will regain stability," Jaejoong, Yuchun and Junsu, formerly of Asian pop sensation TVXQ, were quoted as saying in a statement.

The three will continue in their deeds by informing their fans of the gravity of the Japan's disaster in nine cities throughout Asia which they will tour starting April 2 and run donating programs in cooperation with World Vision.

Such efforts by the stars started on Monday when top Korean actor Bae Yong-joon and singer-actor Kim Hyun-joong donated one billion won and 100 million won, respectively, to Japan for relief and rescue.

Many others joined the cause including actor Jang Keun-suk donating 10 million yen to Japan's Red Cross and actress Choi Ji-woo, actor Song Seung-heon and singer-actor Ryu Si-won 200 million won each.

K-pop artists stepped forward as well including YG Entertainment, managing popular singers Big Bang and 2NE1, deciding to contribute 50 million won, the sum the agency's public welfare fund is expected to accumulate this year, and girl group KARA said they will commit the profits they see from the sale of "Jet Coaster Love," their third Japanese single in the country which is soon set to go on sale.

Nine-member boy band ZE:A affirmed they will donate profits the group makes in the first half of the year as well as part of the profits they see from their Asia tour.

A legion of stars have offered words of consolation to Japan as well, including Asian pop star Rain who wrote on his official website, "I would like to extend my deepest condolences to everyone in Japan...... The incident hurts my heart even more because it has happened to a country I used to visit a lot."

Solo songstress BoA, currently in the U.S. filming a movie, wrote on her Twitter account, "'Heard about Japan earth quake and especially Tokyo got huge earthquake. Hope everybody's OK" and Younha remarked, "Those of my fans in Sendai who have supported me from a long time ago, and Mr. Nigata Asakashi's family with whom I stayed with when I first went to Japan, I hope you're all safe."

Singer Park Jung-min of boy band SS501 said, "Let's all pray that there are not too many casualties. My fans... friends in Japan... I'm so worried. Let's all look for ways to help."

Japan's latest earthquake, the biggest emergency that has hit the nation since World War II, has had the National Police Agency confirm 3,676 deaths in 12 prefectures as of Wednesday with the number expected to climb with the recovery of bodies now in full swing.

Clockwise from top, ZE:A, JYJ and KARA [Star Empire/C-Jes/DSP Media]

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Jessica Kim jesskim@