On May 16, IU‘s agency EDAM Entertainment stated, “To celebrate her birthday, IU donated a total of 200 million KRW under the name ‘IUaena’ (a combination of IU + Uaena, her fandom name) 50 million KRW each to four different organizations.” The recipients include Hope Joyagdol, the National Center for the Rights of the Child, Happy Giver and Walk Together. The donations will be used to support low-income families, elderly people living alone, youth preparing for independence, single-parent families and people with disabilities.
News of her donation drew praise from many netizens. Comments included, “Wow, IU is truly amazing” and “Consistently donating at this age isn’t easy there are very few celebrities with such character.” Others added “This is incredible. I hope celebrities who give back to society continue to succeed,” expressing appreciation for her positive influence.
However, not everyone reacted positively. Some responded with skepticism, saying things like “She’s donating again to cover up controversies” and “She must really have tens of billions,” speculating about her financial situation.
IU has consistently made donations under the name “IUaena” on birthdays, anniversaries and during the holiday season. This year alone, she donated 200 million KRW in March for wildfire relief in the Gyeongsang region and another 150 million KRW for children and youth on Children’s Day showcasing her ongoing commitment to giving.
As discussions continue online, IU‘s recent donation adds to her legacy of philanthropy, reflecting her ongoing commitment to supporting those in need.
