AKMU’s Secret Good Deed … Donated All the Prize Money of 300 Million Won
[스포츠경향=강수진 기자] It was discovered later that the sibling duo AKDONG MUSICIAN (AKMU), winner of SBS’s ‘K-pop Star 2’ had donated all of their prize money of 300 million won.
In the interview with Sports Kyunghyang in the afternoon of May 12, AKMU (LEE CHAN HYUK, 18 & LEE SOO HYUN, 15) were asked about how they used their prize money. The duo answered, “After receiving the prize money, our dad donated all of 300 million won to several foundations and to where we really wanted to donate without letting others know about the donation.”
The donation was made last year, but AKMU and their parents did not let others know about their good deed. Even their manager from YG Entertainment first learned about the donation during the interview and asked them the question again saying, “Did you really made donation?”
Among the 300-million prize money that AKMU had received, 100 million won was fund for record production, but AKMU donated that fund as well to society.
LEE CHAN HYUK said, “When our mom and dad asked us about how we were going to use the money, both of us said without hesitation that we would donate it because we had been thinking about making donation from the beginning.” He added, “ Our mom and dad were happier than us when they heard about our decision.” He went on to say, “After making donation, I have become so glad that I thought doing music was a very good decision.” LEE CHAN HYUK smiled adding, “We didn’t know that there was tax imposed on the prize money and donated all of it including tax. So, now, we are saving money to pay for the tax.”
His younger sister, LEE SOO HYUN, said, “In the first place, I thought we ought to make donation” and “I felt great thinking that much money was not ours in the first place.” She added, “I am happy now to be able to do better things.”
Since the duo are still in their teens, their parents carried out all the process related to the donation such as selecting recipient orgnizations.
AKMU who showed their great musical ability in last year’s ‘K-pop Star 2’ recently released their first official album right after their winning in the TV show, and have dominated numerous music charts. They are receiving good reviews and gaining popularity not only from the general music fans but also from critics, brining refreshing breeze to the overall music circles.
2014. 5. 12.
