Celebrity

Jennie Criticized for Donating 1 Billion Won to SNU Medical School

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On May 30, BLACKPINK’s Jennie made headlines after it was revealed she donated 1 billion won (approximately $730,000 USD) to Seoul National University’s College of Medicine. While the generous act was praised by some, it quickly drew criticism across online communities due to the timing and recipient of the donation.

The primary point of contention centers around Jennie’s choice to donate to an elite institution amid South Korea’s ongoing medical strike. Since February 2024, trainee doctors and medical students have protested the government’s plan to increase medical school admissions, leading to class boycotts and hospital walkouts. The resulting strain on emergency services and postponed surgeries has sparked national frustration.

Netizens questioned the donation’s appropriateness, particularly given the current healthcare crisis.

  • Not just Seoul National University, but the medical school?
  • They’re causing a medical crisis, and you donate there?
  • They’re on strike—why support that now?

Critics also speculated about Jennie’s motivations, suggesting it could be a strategic move for tax benefits or positive public image. Others argued that the donation could have had more meaningful impact if directed elsewhere, such as underfunded regional medical schools or small businesses still recovering from the pandemic.

Some voiced concerns that donating to SNU’s medical school—a prestigious and well-funded institution—only reinforces existing inequalities. “Why not help schools in the provinces that really need support?” one comment read. Another added, “Spending 1 billion won shopping would’ve helped more small business owners.”

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In response, Seoul National University’s College of Medicine stated that Jennie’s donation was meant to “support the nurturing of compassionate talent to heal the world.” However, the explanation has done little to quell public skepticism, with many continuing to view the act as tone-deaf amid a highly polarized medical labor dispute.

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