K-pop Icon Psy Discretely Donates 500 Million Won To Yonsei University’s Severance Hospital
South Korean K-pop sensation Psy reportedly donated 500 million won to Yonsei University's Severance Hospital last year, which was able to open a new treatment room in Nov. 1, 2014 thanks to the singer's monetary assistance.
"In September of last year, Psy donated 500 million won to the mental department, and a 'Psy Care Ward' was created," said a hospital representative. "When many are using the room, there can be over 30 kids at once, but on average, about 10 to 20 kids use the room at any given day."
According to Korea Times on Thursday, the newly opened room at the South Korean children's hospital was able to cater to around 5,000 children needing psychological and speech therapy.
"Earlier this year, Psy made a quiet visit to the room," said the representative. "He didn't want to make the donation known."
The hospital also noted that YG Entertainment's design team did the room's interior for free, with the original design included a Psy cartoon, which the singer requested to be taken out.
"When it's called a children's psychiatric room, it can be scary, but because we named it the 'Psy Treatment Room,' both children and parents have felt more comfortable with it," noted the representative. "His name is a good fit with psychology as well, so we're planning to keep the name."
In 2013, Soompi also noted on April 24 that Psy planned on donating five million won worth of proceeds from his "Gentleman" music sales and "Happening" solo concert profits to children suffering from cancer.
"Fans have been showing me such great love and it's very overwhelming," said the South Korean singer. "Repaying them with fun songs in the future is a must but more importantly, I will continue to make donations for the people who have been neglected and are in pain."
His charitable decision to impart a large sum of donation was allegedly influenced by musician Yang Hyun Suk's previous donation of one billion won to sick children.
Psy reportedly planned on continuing with his generous act of donating proceeds from his "Gentleman" promotions overseas.