Song Joong Ki is the latest k-celeb to donate money to help the victims of the recent devastating earthquakes in Nepal. The actor recently donated approximately $100,000 to the United Nations international relief organization UNICEF to help earthquake victims.
"Song Joong Ki, who is currently still serving in the army, wanted to help out those in need who are suffering after the Nepal earthquake," said a representative of his agency Blossom Entertainment. "He hopes for a speedy recovery in Nepal especially for those who lost their homes."
The first earthquake on April 25 killed 7,000 people, injured twice as many and left hundreds of thousands of people homeless. A second earthquake in May killed and injured more people and caused the destructions of more homes. Shortly after the first earthquake UNICEF began providing earthquake victims with food for infants and children, as well as blankets and tents that serve as temporary housing. That's what Song Joong Ki's donation will be used for.
The character Song Joong Ki will play in his next drama is no stranger to the suffering that people endure during natural and man-made disasters.
When Song Joong Ki leaves his mandatory military service on May 26 his first post-service role will be playing an officer with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in "Descendants of the Sun."
The story is set during the traumatic years of the Vietnam War. Song Joong Ki's character is a Special Forces Officer named Yoo Si Jin. While carrying out his orders, Yoo Si Jin meets a surgeon, played by Song Hye Kyo. Her character Dr. Kang Mo Yeon works for the humanitarian organization, Doctors Without Borders. While both Yoo Si Jin and Kang Mo Yeon actively and fearlessly work to save lives they have slightly different priorities when confronted with life-threatening chaos. They fall in love, despite, and perhaps also because of the deadly circumstances they meet in.
The drama, which also stars Jin Goo and Kim Ji Won, is scheduled to air in the second half of 2015.
Other k-drama actors that have donated to the earthquake relief effort in Nepal include Lee Min Ho, Park Shin Hye, IU and Song Il Gook. Lee Min Ho, IU and Song Il Gook donated around $100,000. Park Shin Hye donated around $28,000. Lee Min Ho also donated to UNICEF, while IU and Song Il Gook gave their money to the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation. Park Shin Hye is reported to have donated to the organization Hunger Saver.
