IU Makes Birthday Donation to Charities

Singer and actress IU donated W500 million to charities to mark her 29th birthday, her agency said Monday (US$1=W1,137).

Celebrating her birthday, May 16, IU made the donation to several charity organizations including the Korea Pediatric Cancer Foundation, the Korean Unwed Mothers' Families Association, the Purme Foundation and Yeouldol, which supports children with rare diseases.

"IU wanted to do something special on her last birthday in her 20s to repay the love she has received," the agency said.

The donation will be used to help underprivileged people including children with rare diseases, single parent families and elderly people who live alone.