SEOUL, South Korea — Global K-pop star J-Hope of BTS celebrated his 32nd birthday on Feb. 18 by making a series of philanthropic contributions totaling 350 million South Korean won (about $243,000). The donations will support children’s healthcare, student scholarships and animal welfare, his agency BigHit Music announced this week.
As part of his birthday giving, J-Hope donated 200 million won to the Children’s Hospital at Asan Medical Center in southern Seoul. The hospital said the funds will be used to upgrade medical facilities, enhance treatment environments for pediatric and adolescent patients, support home-based medical care and underwrite psychological therapy programs for seriously ill children. This contribution continues a multi-year tradition of support — bringing J-Hope’s cumulative donations to the hospital to 500 million won since 2022.
In addition, J-Hope gave 100 million won to ChildFund Korea, earmarked to establish scholarship funds for students at Kukje High School and Jeonnam Girls’ Commercial High School in Gwangju — institutions in his hometown region where he has supported economically disadvantaged students since 2019.
His birthday charity extended beyond human welfare: 50 million won — raised partly from proceeds of the “Human Hope: A Joopiter Special” charity event in collaboration with fashion brand Human Made — was donated to animal rights organizations working to protect companion animals.
Through a statement shared by BigHit Music, J-Hope said he was “happy to make such meaningful contributions in time for my birthday,” adding that he hoped his gifts would offer “a hopeful and warm year for everyone.” He credited the continued support of ARMY, BTS’s global fan community, for enabling his philanthropic activities.
With his latest contributions, J-Hope also joined ChildFund Korea’s Green Noble Trinity Club, an exclusive group of donors who have given 1 billion won or more to the organization.
