Australian bushfires: How K-Pop stars are helping

BlackPink member Rosé took to her personal Instagram to address and express her concern on the terrible tragedy occurring in her home country. “It breaks my heart to see this,” the Australian singer wrote to her 21 million followers. “Australia is on fire and it has been for too long now. I am heartbroken for the people and homes suffering from the fires and the millions of innocent and beautiful wildlife creatures that are injured and dying right now. Australia is a place that I grew up in and I am so sad to see this happen to such a beautiful country.” She ended off by stating that she’ll try her best to support and hopes her fans will do what they can, by tagging a variety of charitable resources.

Australian K-Pop star Bang Chan from Stray Kids voiced his concern in a lengthy post with photos on the group’s Instagram. He spoke on behalf of his fellow Aussie bandmate Felix about the bushfires in his home country and shared that they’re “having a hard time being aware that Australia is under fatal circumstances”. “Australia has always been known as the country, home to not only exotic flora and fauna but to amazing people as well. It is also our home where we and both our families grew up in, a place filled with all of our childhood memories,” the leader of Stray Kids wrote. “Hearing the news about the unfortunate casualties really breaks our hearts and we are praying that Australia can get better soon. We would like to thank all of our friends, families and STAYs [fanbase] that are doing whatever they can to help out.” “Our land abounds in nature’s gifts/ Of beauty, rich and rare/ If Australia suffers, we suffer too,” he concluded with a poem. Felix similarly uploaded a separate post on the group’s social media platform about his bandmate and himself being aware of the bushfires and worried about his loved ones and Australia, hoping the crisis will come to an end.

Just ahead of his ‘Sexy 4 Eva’ world tour in the country and New Zealand, the Korean rapper donated $30,000 to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (RFS), he announced on his personal Twitter account. Just after wrapping his tour, he kept his promise by revealing on Instagram that both himself and his record label AOMG donated $60,000 to the wildfires.

Victon’s Byungchan is another K-Pop star that stepped in to aid those affected by the bushfire crisis, posting a snapshot of the confirmation message of his donation to the VIC Bushfire Disaster Appeal.

Much like the Victon member, CIX’s Seunghun also donated money towards National Bushfire Disaster Appeal and shared the message with his fans.

Ateez posted their heartfelt thoughts with their fans, known as ATINY, with a photo of a black and white photo of a Koala with the text ‘#PrayforAustralia’ on Instagram. The rising boy group confessed that they’re heartbroken by the effect of the devastating fires it has had on the locals and the wildlife. “Last year we performed for our Australian ATINY and also got to experience living in the country while filming our Treasure Film [reality show] and because of that Australia will always hold a special place in our hearts,” the K-Pop band wrote. “We are especially worried for our Australian ATINY who are affected and are praying that the fires end soon, for the safety of Australia’s people and ecosystem. We are sending you all our support and love. #prayforaustralia.”

Monsta X’s I.M, EXO’s Chanyeol and Sehun (above) and Lay, PENTAGON’s Kino and Super Junior’s Yesung as well as Korean actors Sung Hoon, Gong Hyo Jin and Park So Dam also some of the industry’s prominent names that have used their platform to share messages of support and charitable resources. Additionally, multiple K-pop fandoms have set up fundraising projects to donate on behalf of their favorite artists and encouraged one another to do the same.