K-pop bands, including aespa, have announced significant donations to aid victims of a catastrophic apartment fire in Hong Kong that resulted in at least 128 fatalities. The girl group aespa disclosed their intention to contribute 500,000 Hong Kong dollars (approximately $64,000) to the Hong Kong Red Cross via a message on their official Weibo account, expressing sorrow over the tragic incident.
Another prominent South Korean boy band, Stray Kids, pledged 1 million Hong Kong dollars (around $129,000) through World Vision Hong Kong to support temporary housing and other assistance for affected children and residents. They shared their heartfelt reaction to the unfortunate news, emphasizing their concern for those impacted by the fire.
In addition to individual group donations, major entertainment companies SM and JYP Entertainment collectively donated 3 million Hong Kong dollars (about $385,000) to facilitate emergency relief and disaster recovery efforts. Other K-pop groups, such as Riize, EXO-CBX, and KickFlip, also made contributions, each donating 100,000 Hong Kong dollars (approximately $12,900) through World Vision Hong Kong.
The upcoming MAMA AWARDS, a two-day K-pop awards event set to take place in Hong Kong, has faced criticism online for continuing as planned despite the tragedy. While CJ E&M, the organizing company, canceled the red carpet events, they confirmed that the main ceremony would proceed. The company expressed condolences to the victims' families and announced a donation of 20 million Hong Kong dollars (around $2.6 million) to a support fund established by the Hong Kong government, highlighting the event's commitment to solidarity and healing through music.