BTS member j-hope turned 32 on February 18 and celebrated his birthday by giving back in a big way. The rapper and dancer donated a total of 300 million won to support children’s healthcare and education, pushing his lifetime donations past the 1 billion won mark.
j-hope (real name Jung Ho-seok) has once again proven why fans call him the “sunshine” of BTS. On his 32nd birthday, the Hope on the Street artist made generous donations to two different organizations, continuing his long-standing tradition of sharing his birthday with those in need.
According to multiple South Korean media outlets on February 18, j-hope donated 200 million won (approximately $138,000) to the Children’s Hospital at Seoul Asan Medical Center and another 100 million won (approximately $69,000) to ChildFund Korea (also known as Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation) .
The donations bring his total contributions to over 1 billion won in cumulative donations to children’s welfare causes, earning him a spot in an exclusive high-donor club .
Breaking Down the Generous Birthday Gift
j-hope’s birthday donations this year were split between healthcare and education — two causes he has supported consistently over the years.
The 200 million won given to Seoul Asan Medical Center marks the second consecutive year he has donated this exact amount on his birthday . The funds will go toward improving medical facilities for pediatric and adolescent patients, as well as operating home care and psychological healing programs for critically ill children .
This latest gift brings his total donations to the hospital to 500 million won since he first gave 100 million won in 2022 .
The 100 million won donated to ChildFund Korea will be used to provide scholarships to students at his alma mater, Gwangju International High School, as well as to students at Jeonnam Women’s Commercial High School in the same region . Both schools will select students facing financial difficulties to receive the scholarship support .
Joining the Exclusive Green Noble Trinity Club
With this latest contribution, j-hope has officially become the 14th member of ChildFund Korea’s Green Noble Trinity Club — an exclusive group of donors whose cumulative contributions exceed 1 billion won (approximately $690,000) .
This milestone reflects his consistent giving since 2018, when he first started donating through ChildFund Korea to support various vulnerable groups . Over the years, his donations have covered medical expenses for sick children, assistance for families affected by the COVID-19 crisis, and educational support for students in need .
Hwang Young-gi, Chairman of ChildFund Korea, expressed gratitude for j-hope’s long-term commitment. “We sincerely thank supporter j-hope, who every year on his birthday has shown love to marginalized children including juniors at his alma mater,” Hwang said .
j-hope Shares His Heartfelt Reason for Giving
The BTS star didn’t just write a check — he also shared the personal motivation behind his continued generosity.
According to multiple Korean news outlets, j-hope explained that his donations are driven by a desire to repay the love and support he receives from ARMY, the BTS fandom .
“I continue to donate with the desire to repay ‘ARMY,’ who always send me great support,” j-hope said. “I am grateful to have practiced meaningful sharing on my birthday this year following last year” .
He also expressed his hopes for the children who will benefit from his donations. “I sincerely hope that children can overcome their pain and dream bright dreams,” he added .
Fans React: “Sunshine Indeed”
As news of j-hope’s birthday donations spread across social media, fans worldwide flooded platforms with praise and admiration for the BTS member’s consistent kindness.
The phrase “Sunshine indeed” quickly gained traction among fans, referencing both his stage name (j-hope, which combines “hope” with his real name’s initial) and his reputation as the group’s bright and positive energy.
Many fans pointed out that his donations go beyond just writing checks — his consistent support over eight years shows genuine commitment to making a difference. The fact that he specifically supports his alma mater and children’s hospital resonates deeply with fans who value his connection to his roots.
Some fans also noted the significance of him surpassing 1 billion won in total donations, calling it a major milestone that reflects both his success and his character.
What’s Next: BTS Full-Group Comeback on the Horizon
While j-hope’s birthday donations are making headlines, there’s more exciting news for ARMY around the corner.
j-hope and the rest of BTS are gearing up for their highly awaited full-group comeback. The group will release their new album ‘ARIRANG’ on March 20 at 1 p.m. KST . The album reportedly features 14 tracks that reflect the group’s identity .
The very next day, on March 21, BTS will hold ‘BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG’ at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul to mark their grand return to the stage . The event will be streamed live to over 190 countries worldwide through Netflix, making it accessible to fans across the globe .
Following the comeback, BTS will embark on a massive world tour starting in April at Goyang Stadium. The tour will cover 34 cities across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia, with a total of 79 performances — the highest number of shows for a single tour by a K-pop artist .
This comeback marks the group’s first full-group activities since all members completed their mandatory military service last year .
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A Birthday Tradition of Giving Back
j-hope’s birthday donations have become something fans look forward to each year. His history of giving dates back to 2018, and he has consistently used his birthday as an opportunity to support those who need it most .
From supporting sick children and COVID-affected families to funding scholarships for students facing financial hardship, his giving has touched many lives . His focus on his hometown of Gwangju shows his commitment to giving back to the community that raised him.
As he turns 32, j-hope has not only celebrated with fans but has also ensured that his special day brings hope and practical help to children who need it. For ARMY and the broader public, his actions reinforce why he carries “hope” in his stage name.
