hankyoreh

By Kim Ji-hoon　

Actor Jang Keun-suk, 24, made an anonymous 1.2 billion won donation on Nov. 22 to Hanyang University, where he is currently enrolled. The donation, which he did not announce to university officials, was revealed on Nov. 24 through the university website’s automated system that posts the name and donation amount. Jang is currently a senior at Hanyang University, majoring in theater and film studies.

Hanyang University announced, “We are currently in discussions with Mr. Jang over the creation of a ‘Jang Keun-suk Scholarship Fund’ to support students of theater and film studies.”

Kim Byung-gun, CEO of Tree J Company, Jang’s agency, stated “Jang did not want his donation to be publicized, so this revelation has been quite embarrassing for him.”

Kim added, “Jang only made the donation to support students who are working hard to pursue their dreams in acting just as he did, as an individual active in the entertainment business for the past 20 years.”

Although many celebrities have made donations to universities in the past, including singer Kim Jang-hun (44), who has donated over 5 billion won over the past ten years, and actress Moon Geun-young (24) who has donated 850 million won ($738,000) to the Community Chest of Korea, but it is highly unusual for one celebrity to donate more than 1 billion won ($869,000) in a single donation.

Jang, despite busy schedule due to recently premiered movie “You’re My Pet”, concerts in Japan, and preparations for his new drama “Love Rain” scheduled to air next May, Jang attends university classes at least two days per week.

It was at the age of five that Jang made his debut as children’s clothing model and gained popularity through sitcom “Nonstop 4” and movie “Happy Life.” Jang became a star of the Hallyu, Korean Wave, when the drama “You Are Beautiful” gained high popularity in Japan.

(Translated by Kim Joon-ki, Intern)　　

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