Celebrities donate to those affected by recent heavy rainfall

Korean celebrities are pitching in to help those affected by the recent heavy rainfall across the nation. Singer Lim Young-woong and his agency Mulgogi Music donated a total of 200 million won ($158,000) to the Community Chest of ...

From left, singer Lim Young-woong, actor Kim Hye-soo and singer Psy [NEWS1]

Korean celebrities are pitching in to help those affected by the recent heavy rainfall across the nation.

Singer Lim Young-woong and his agency Mulgogi Music donated a total of 200 million won ($158,000) to the Community Chest of Korea on Monday under his fan club's name, Hero Generation, to help support those affected by the heavy rainfall. Donations will be used to provide relief goods and help those who lost their homes.

Entertainer Yu Jae-seok, actor Kim Hye-soo and singer Psy also donated 100 million won each to the Hope Bridge Korea’s Disaster Relief Association the same day.

“I would like to express my deepest sympathies to those who have been affected by the heavy rain,” Yu said.

Yu, Kim and Psy are all known for regularly donating to charity organizations to help people in need.

Actor Kim Woo-bin donated 100 million won to Hope Bridge Korea, and actors Im Si-wan and Han Hyo-joo each donated 50 million won to the same charity.

At least 49 people died or went missing while thousands of others evacuated their homes as heavy monsoon rains hammered the nation last week, causing severe flooding and landslides.

Across the nation, some 8,000 people from 4,600 households in 90 different cities, counties or districts had to evacuate their homes over the past several days to escape rising floodwaters. By Sunday noon, a vast majority have yet to return home as heavy rains continued to fall.

BY CHO YONG-JUN [cho.yongjun1@joongang.co.kr]