Lisa, Nichkhun and Several Thai K-pop Stars Send Prayers for Thailand Earthquake, But Face Backlash Over Silence on Korea’s Wildfires
As a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar and caused significant damage in Thailand, Thai-born K-pop idols expressed their concern, but the response from netizens was far from unified.
On March 29, BLACKPINK’s Lisa took to her personal channel to share, “Praying for everyone affected by the earthquake. Stay safe.” 2PM’s Nichkhun and BABYMONSTER’s Chiquita echoed her sentiments, writing, “Hope everyone stays safe,” and “To everyone in Thailand, please stay safe,” respectively.
(G)I-DLE’s Minnie took her support a step further by sharing a donation link dedicated to search-and-rescue dogs and their teams, accompanied by the heartfelt messages, “We support our heroes” and “Cheering on the rescue dogs and their teams.”
While many fans appreciated the gestures, others weren’t so forgiving. Some netizens voiced disapproval, criticizing the idols for what they perceived as selective concern. “They’re working in Korea but ignore disasters happening here,” one comment read, pointing out the lack of response to the recent massive wildfire in South Korea’s Yeongnam region.
However, not everyone agreed with the backlash. Supportive fans countered, “Why force them?” and “Did those complaining even donate a single won?” arguing that pressuring celebrities to donate or speak out is unreasonable.
Meanwhile, the situation in Southeast Asia remains dire. The earthquake, which hit central Myanmar on March 28 (local time), has claimed over 1,600 lives. In Thailand’s capital of Bangkok, tremors caused a 33-story building to collapse, resulting in 17 confirmed deaths and 83 individuals still missing. In response, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared a state of emergency in Bangkok. Several shops and subway services have been suspended as authorities conduct safety inspections.
As the tragedy unfolds, the debate over public figures’ responsibilities in times of crisis continues to stir strong emotions online.
