According to EDAM Entertainment, the gift was split evenly among four organizations: the Korea Foundation for Persons with Disabilities, Make-A-Wish Korea, the Heart-Heart Foundation, and the Korea Foundation for Vulnerable Seniors. The donations will support people with disabilities; grant wishes for children battling critical illnesses; help young adults preparing for independent living; and provide essential goods to seniors living alone ahead of Chuseok, through the foundation’s Comprehensive Support Center for Seniors Living Alone.
IU has made a habit of giving on meaningful dates like her debut day, birthdays, and the holidays. In March, she donated 200 million won to support wildfire relief across Korea’s Gyeongsang region and improve firefighter welfare; she followed with a 150 million won gift on Children’s Day for kids and teens, and another 200 million won on her birthday to aid vulnerable communities.
On September 13-14, she hosted the 2025 IU FAN MEET-UP [Bye, Summer], creating heartwarming moments with fans. During the encore, IU moved close to the wheelchair-accessible section to sing and hold hands with attendees ― a gesture that went viral and showcased her trademark fan-first spirit.
Her surprise single Bye, Summer, released the morning of September 10 as a gift to fans, has been topping charts in Korea and beyond, even earning a mention in Forbes for its buzzy drop.
IU is currently filming her next drama, "21st Century Grand Prince’s Wife" (working title).
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)
