Giving instead of getting: Stray Kids' Bang Chan marks his 29th birthday by donating 300 million won to three causes

Stray Kids leader Bang Chan chose a generous way to celebrate his 29th birthday on Saturday (Oct. 3). The singer donated 300 million won (about $223,000), split evenly among three South Korean organizations, with 100 million won going to each. Korean media reported the news on the morning of his birthday.

The first share went to HearCycle, which covers medical costs and social reintegration for young people with hearing loss. The second went to World Vision, earmarked for a scholarship program for low-income children and teens. The third went to OSEAN, a nonprofit that cleans beaches, removes marine debris and cleans up rivers. 'It means a lot to me to be able to make even a small gesture of support across multiple areas in need of a helping hand, from children's dreams to our own backyard', the artist said.

It isn't a one-off. In September, Bang Chan had already donated 200 million won: half to Seoul Rehabilitation Hospital and half to the Korean Committee for UNICEF, for flood victims in Nepal. With the new gift, the Stray Kids leader's donations in 2026 alone reach 500 million won, according to Edaily.