On December 2 (local time), Forbes released their list of Asia’s Heroes of Philanthropy: Catalysts for Change.

The annual Heroes of Philanthropy list “honors billionaires, entrepreneurs and celebrities across the region who are committed to solving some of the most pressing issues facing the Asia-Pacific.” Two Korean philanthropists made the list this year, singer-actress IU and Amorepacific Group CEO Suh Kyung Bae.

Forbes noted that IU is the youngest person to make the list and she has donated a total of 900 million won (about $800,000) to a variety of causes since 2018. She joined many Korean celebrities in donating on behalf of the victims of the Gangwon Province fire earlier this year and donated to associations of the deaf after being inspired by her character in “My Mister.”

Since 2015, IU has also made multiple donations to the Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation, which helps single-parent families, children being raised by grandparents, and other children in underprivileged situations. The Forbes list mentions IU’s own underprivileged background as part of her motivation for her philanthropy. Other donations IU made in 2019 include helping the elderly with the summer heat and a joint donation made with her fanclub, UAENA, in honor of her 11th debut anniversary.

IU is currently on her Asia tour “Love, Poem” to promote her new album of the same name. She was in Taipei on December 1 and will be heading to Singapore on December 7, Manila on December 13, Kuala Lumpur on December 21, Bangkok on December 24, and Jakarta on December 28.

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