K-pop Good Samaritan IU gets her fingers burnt helping the ‘needy’
The South Korean singer, whose song ‘BBI BBI’ is dominating the charts, says she sent money to one person claiming hardship, but found the story was fake
K-pop singer IU says people have been contacting her on social media asking her for money to pay things such as medical bills – including some whose claims of “hardship” were false.
IU, 25, whose name is Lee Ji-eun, told the KBS2 talk show The Joy of Conversation: “A myriad of people have been suffering hardships and they asked me to pay medical bills, tuition fees or loans for them.
“I once sent money to a person who seemed desperate.”
However, the recipient’s response surprised her.
“I thought the person would appreciate me, but instead the receiver demanded an additional amount,” the singer said.
I thought the person would appreciate me, but instead ... I realised that I had been ripped off and the person’s story was all fake
“Later, I realised that I had been ripped off and the person’s story was all fake.
“It hurt my feelings back then.”
The singer also said she has been supporting five students since 2013.
They had been accepted into universities but had not been able to afford the tuition fees.
She said she had been making regular financial contributions to them of about 20-25 million won (US$17,600 to US$22,000).