EXO, TWICE, Wanna One & More Hallyu Stars To Join MBC’s Benefit Show For Ill Children

by Jessica Rapir / May 03, 2018 12:57 AM EDT

EXO along with TWICE, Wanna One and more Hallyu stars to participate in MBC’s benefit show for ill children. Photo by: EXO / Facebook

Korean top celebrities are once again leading a charity program that aims to provide hope and treatment for children who are suffering from rare and incurable diseases. The Hallyu stars will make donations through narrations, performances, and more in the upcoming 2018 New Life for Children benefit event.

Popular K-pop acts EXO, TWICE, Wanna One, and VIXX will join the event. They will make "lucky bags" which contain the idols' autographs and handwritten messages of encouragement. Unsurprisingly, the four Korean bands were chosen to lead the event.

The idols are included on the latest list of V Live's most-followed K-pop groups. EXO is at second place, following BTS. TWICE took the fifth spot, while Wanna One and VIXX are at No. 15 and No. 16, respectively.

This is also not the first time for EXO to participate in a New Life for Children donation event. In 2015, the act hit the stage and performed their hit song, "Call Me Baby." The EXO members have also been known for their generous donations to several charity organizations.

Meanwhile, Wanna One's Park Ji Hoon will lend his voice as a narrator, AllKPop reported. He will also serve as presenter for the children. Seventeen members Dogyum and Seungkwan, G-Friend, singer Baek Ji Young, Bada, and more will be performing on stage at the concert. Korean singer/songwriter Yoon Jong Shin, The Last Princess actress Park Joo Mi, model Jang Yoon Ju, and singer/TV host HaHa will also participate as presenters. They will share the stories of the ill children.

This year, K-drama actress Kim Hee Ae will MC the event along with Oh Sang Jin. This is Kim's 25th year of hosting the program.

The MBC's New Life for Children event debuted in 1990. It is a donation program that aims to deliver hope to children that are suffering from various illnesses. It seeks participation from the country's leading stars through "talent donations." For the past 28 years, the program has garnered over 40 billion KRW ($37 million) in donations and has provided treatment for 13,000 children.

Like in the past years, the event will be part of Korea's Children's Day celebration on May 5. It will be held live at MBC Open Hall in Sangam-dong in Seoul, and in Yongin Everland. K-pop groups INFINITE, A Pink, Teen Top, BESTie, and SISTAR member Hyorin previously participated in the New Life for Children event.