"Kim Ho-jung Fan Club Donations Will Not Be Accepted" Slogan Group Also Boycotts

"Serious and Grave Matter... Politely Declining Donations"

A domestic relief organization expressed feeling "embarrassed" and returned the entire donation from singer Kim Ho-jung's fan club, who has been booked on hit-and-run charges.

Organization Decides to Return Full Amount, Saying "This is a Socially Serious Matter... Difficult to Accept Donations from the Fan Club"

A domestic relief organization has fully refunded the donation from singer Kim Ho-jung's fan club. [Source=Hope Pebble, Yonhap News]

On the 16th, Kim's fan club 'Aris' donated 500,000 KRW to the nonprofit organization Hope Covenant Stone for abused children. The donation was made to commemorate Kim being selected as the number one "2024 April Trot Stardom" on the global fandom platform 'Podoal.' Along with the donation, the fan club stated, "We celebrate Kim Ho-jung's first-place vote, and although it is not a large amount, we are happy to convey warm hearts to abused children," adding, "We hope the positive influence of singer Kim Ho-jung, who has outstanding vocal skills, spreads even wider." The donation was intended to be used for psychological therapy support for abused children in Korea. However, after this became known, negative public opinion surged among netizens, with comments such as "Is this an attempt to cover up a hit-and-run accident?"

Ultimately, Hope Covenant Stone decided to return the entire donation that afternoon. The organization explained, "Although the donor was not the individual but the fan club, since this is a socially very serious issue currently being discussed, we find the situation of receiving the donation very embarrassing," adding, "Considering that this case involves very serious and grave matters such as 'drunk driving hit-and-run and driver substitution,' which are absolutely unacceptable socially, we regretfully had no choice but to politely refuse the donation from the fandom."

Broadcasting and Advertising Industries Also 'Watching Closely'... Will There Be a Flood of Penalty Fees?

Earlier, on the 9th, Kim was booked on charges of hitting a taxi and fleeing the scene in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The controversy has intensified as suspicions arose that Kim had his manager appear on his behalf at the police and that the memory card of Kim's vehicle black box disappeared, raising allegations of drunk driving and attempts to systematically cover up the incident.

As the controversy grew, KBS 2TV variety show 'Newly Released Pyeonstorang' decided to minimize Kim's screen time in the broadcast on the 17th. Convenience store GS25 canceled the release of Kim's winning menu scheduled for that day. Additionally, KBS publicly requested that the name and logo be banned from use at the 'World Union Orchestra Super Classic: Kim Ho-jung & Primadonna' event held at KSPO Dome in Olympic Park, Seoul, on the 23rd and 24th. The 'World Union Orchestra Super Classic: Kim Ho-jung & Primadonna,' which had sold out early due to Kim's appearance, initially planned to proceed with the performance but announced it would seek substitute performers amid the growing controversy. Major brands for which Kim is a model are also closely monitoring the situation and preparing countermeasures. If Kim's charges are proven true and advertising contracts are terminated due to his responsibility, he could face a "flood of penalty fees."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.