Actor Lee Jong Suk Donates Over $150,000 To UNICEF To Help Underprivileged Children
"Pinocchio" actor Lee Jong Suk donated approximately $165,000 to UNICEF Korea as an aid to underprivileged children residing in and outside South Korea. The charitable organization revealed half of the donation will be utilized to put up shelter for the children of migrant employees, via The Chosunilbo.
While about $82,000 will be given to UNICEF China and will be utilized to develop classrooms in the mountainous regions of the country, Soompi noted.
The actor said he wanted to share a little of what his fans have given him, love and support, through the monetary donation.
"I spent a long time while thinking about how I should return the tremendous amount of love and supports that I have received from so many fans, and I thought that I should be able to share love with as many people as possible through UNICEF," Lee said, via Yahoo! Celebrity.
"I will keep doing my best to continue contributing to supporting those who are in need," the actor added.
According to reports, this is not the first time for Lee to engage in charitable acts. Korea Joongang Daily reported that the 26-year-old actor participated in a photo shoot last January to support UNICEF with its collaboration with Line.
The fundraising project aims to help deprived children from all over the world. Sale proceeds of "LINE X UNICEF Brown edition" dolls go to UNICEF Korea.
"I am really happy to be participating in such a meaningful pictorial shoot with the kind and adorable Brown bear," Lee said. "I hope to continue doing such events in future to help children around the world."
Lee also participated in an art project intended for those who suffer from visual impairment.
Lee started out as a runway model in 2005. He was known to be the youngest runway model of Seoul Fashion Week's Seoul Collection program.
He entered the acting industry in 2009 for a short film called "Sympathy." Lee is best known for playing the lead role in "School 2013," "I Hear Your Voice," "Doctor Stranger" and "Pinocchio." He is expected to make an appearance for upcoming Korean-Chinese drama "Jade Lover."