On October 16, W Korea held a charity event for breast cancer awareness, attended by several of the biggest names in K-pop and K-drama. BTS members J-Hope, RM, and V were among the top celebrities present, along with aespa, IVE members Wonyoung, Yujin, and Leeseo, as well as actors Jung Hae In and Park Seo Joon.
However, just hours after the event ended and the total donations were announced, both the event organizers and attending celebrities received heavy criticism. Korean netizens pointed out that the atmosphere of the event — which featured singing, dancing, and alcoholic beverages — was completely disconnected from its main purpose of raising awareness and showing support for breast cancer patients.
Many also criticized the small amount of donations collected despite the large number of celebrity attendees, comparing it to the “Pink Run” event previously held in Seoul for the same cause, which achieved far better results.
The criticism didn’t stop there. Some noted that guests did not follow the visual symbols associated with breast cancer awareness campaigns, such as wearing the pink ribbon, the international symbol for breast cancer awareness. The color pink and the ribbon are usually worn as a show of solidarity and emotional support for women affected by breast cancer, especially during Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM).
One netizen wrote:
“I kept scrolling through the news feed, and all I saw was this… It seems like the organizers didn’t even announce a theme color for the event. No one wore pink, let alone a ribbon.”
Criticism further grew due to product promotions during the event, particularly involving alcoholic beverages. The official Hennessy Moët page shared a photo from the event to promote its product, captioning it:
“Moët Hennessy makes every party more perfect at the W event.”
Korean netizens have been highly critical of the celebrities who attended the W Korea event, claiming the event did nothing to contribute financially or morally to breast cancer. Read some of the comments:
- “Ha… seriously, what is this? Celebrities have never looked this bizarre, like they’re playing some kind of aristocrat role-play. I even used to like some of them, but now I’m totally turned off. “Breast cancer awareness” haha, they call it a campaign — clapping in rhythm and going “mm~” — sure, what a great way to “raise awareness,” right?”
- “The coverage for breast cancer medication isn’t even properly provided — it’s to the point where people have to file petitions — yet they’re just drinking and laughing. None of them are even wearing the pink ribbon that actually symbolizes breast cancer awareness. In 20 years, W Korea hasn’t shown any visible results. It just looks like they’ve been hosting aristocrat-style social parties for celebrities.
- All they’ve done in 20 years is donate 1.1 billion won”
- “Seriously, celebrities — especially idols — are like showy puppets who just do as they’re told. They don’t write or compose their songs, they don’t choreograph their dances, they lip-sync. Others create their stages for them, and camera directors work their asses off to make things look dynamic. Their makeup is done for them, their outfits are picked out, the lighting is all set — and there they are, just lip-syncing and moving a finger, getting called “divine” and making tons of money.”
