In a powerful display of philanthropy to ring in 2026, actor Byeon Woo Seok has once again proven that his heart is as big as his stardom.
On January 2, 2026, it was revealed that the actor, who skyrocketed to global fame through his role in Lovely Runner , has donated a total of 200 million won (approximately $150,000 USD) to charitable causes.
This generous contribution, split between two critical healthcare and welfare initiatives, underscores his commitment to using his platform for positive social change.
Empowering Vulnerable Adolescents through G-Foundation
The first half of Byeon Woo Seok’s donation—100 million won—was directed to G-Foundation, an international development NGO.
This specific contribution is aimed at supporting young girls from low-income households in South Korea who lack access to basic feminine hygiene products.
In a country where “period poverty” remains a hidden but significant issue for vulnerable youth, the funds will be used to provide comprehensive menstrual care kits.
These kits are designed to offer more than just basic supplies; they include sanitary pads of various sizes, warming packs to alleviate pain, and feminine hygiene cleansers.
Furthermore, the donation will fund essential sex education programs and the renovation of hygiene facilities, such as restrooms, in local community centers.
Byeon Woo Seok expressed his hope that this gesture would allow these young women to “live their daily lives in a more stable and comfortable environment” without the added stress of health-related financial burdens.
Continuing a Legacy of Support at Severance Hospital
The second 100 million won was donated to Severance Hospital, specifically to aid in the treatment of pediatric and adolescent patients.
This is not the actor’s first time supporting this institution; in 2024, he famously donated 300 million won to the same hospital, demonstrating a long-standing concern for the well-being of children facing severe illnesses.
Byeon Woo Seok (Credit: YouTube)
By consistently targeting pediatric care, Byeon Woo Seok is helping to alleviate the massive financial strain on families dealing with long-term hospitalizations and complex surgeries.
In his statement regarding the Severance donation, he noted,
“I am happy to join in supporting young patients to regain their health and help them and their families move toward a happy future.”
His steady support has made him a member of the elite “Honors Club” for major donors, a title he holds with humility.
A Career Peak Defined by Kindness
Byeon Woo Seok’s charitable actions come at a time when his career is reaching unprecedented heights.
Following his breakout performance as Ryu Sun-jae, he has become one of the most sought-after actors in the industry.
However, rather than focusing solely on his commercial success, he has prioritized “warm sharing,” a term often used by Korean media to describe his consistent philanthropy.
His agency, VARO Entertainment, noted that the actor has always been interested in how to give back to the fans who have shown him so much love.
This New Year’s donation is seen as his way of sharing that gratitude with society’s most vulnerable members.
Looking Forward to 2026: “Perfect Crown”
While his charitable work has taken center stage this week, fans are also eagerly anticipating his professional return.
In the first half of 2026, Byeon Woo Seok is set to star in the highly anticipated MBC drama Perfect Crown.
Set in a fictional 21st-century constitutional monarchy, the drama will see him play Grand Prince Ian, a royal who seemingly has nothing, opposite IU, who plays a commoner heiress.
As he transitions into this new role, his reputation as a “charity icon” continues to bolster his public image.
In a shocking development that has sparked widespread public indignation, the agency representing singer and actress Nana (Im Jin-ah) has released a firm official statement regarding a legal challenge from an unlikely source.
On January 2, 2026, Sublime confirmed that the man arrested for breaking into Nana’s home and assaulting her family has filed a countersuit against the actress, accusing her of attempted murder and aggravated assault.
The Incident: A Struggle for Survival
The legal battle stems from a traumatic event that occurred in November 2025. Around 6 a.m., an intruder in his 30s—identified as “Mr. A”—entered the Guri residence Nana shares with her mother by using a ladder to climb onto a balcony.
Upon entering, the suspect reportedly choked Nana’s mother and demanded valuables.
Woken by her mother’s screams, Nana rushed to intervene. In the ensuing physical struggle, the mother and daughter managed to subdue the armed assailant until police arrived.
During the confrontation, Nana’s mother suffered serious injuries that caused a temporary loss of consciousness, and Nana also sustained physical harm.
The suspect sustained a laceration to his jaw, which police later determined was caused by the very weapon he had brought into the home.
Police Ruling: Justifiable Self-Defense
Following a thorough investigation in late 2025, authorities at the Guri Police Station officially cleared Nana and her mother of any wrongdoing.
The police concluded that their actions fell strictly within the scope of justifiable self-defense under Article 21 of the Criminal Act.
Officials noted that the victims were facing an “unjust and present danger” and that the level of force used was reasonable and necessary to subdue the armed intruder.
Despite this clear ruling, the suspect—who is currently in prison awaiting trial for special aggravated robbery—filed a complaint from behind bars, alleging that Nana’s response was excessive and constituted an attempt on his life.
Nana (Credit: X)
Sublime’s Firm Stance on “Secondary Victimization”
In their statement, Sublime expressed deep regret and anger over the suspect’s legal tactics.
The agency characterized the countersuit as a form of secondary harm, accusing the perpetrator of exploiting Nana’s status as a public figure to harass her further.
“The perpetrator, showing no remorse, has filed a separate lawsuit against our artist, exploiting her public profile to inflict secondary harm through inhumane conduct,” the agency stated.
Sublime emphasized that Nana and her family are still dealing with the psychological trauma of the invasion.
Initially, Nana had considered showing leniency due to the suspect’s relatively young age, but following this “anti-humanitarian” legal move, the agency confirmed they would no longer seek a settlement.
Instead, they plan to pursue every possible civil and criminal legal action to ensure the suspect is held fully accountable.
Nana’s Resolve: “I Will Not Collapse”
Directly addressing her fans via social media, Nana shared her own reflections on the ordeal.
She admitted that learning of the lawsuit while already struggling with mental recovery was difficult, but she expressed a newfound strength.
“I realized that my desire to trust others no matter what might have been an excessive wish,” she wrote, while promising fans that she would not “collapse or waver” in the face of such an “absurd situation.”
As she continues her scheduled activities, including the promotion of her first solo album Seventh Heaven, the industry and the public remain firmly on her side.
This case has reignited a national conversation in South Korea regarding the protection of victims from predatory litigation by their own attackers.
