The fashion magazine W Korea's breast cancer awareness campaign "Love Your W," which it has hosted, has become embroiled in controversy over the event format and the amount of donations.
According to materials submitted to Rep. Lee Su-jin of the Health and Welfare Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea on the 17th, the cumulative amount W Korea donated to the Korea Breast Health Foundation from 2007 through Nov. this year was 315,690,000 won. This differed from the "cumulative donations of 1.1 billion won" the magazine had promoted on its website and elsewhere. W Korea has not disclosed donation details to recipients other than the Korea Breast Health Foundation.
The materials show annual donation amounts of 34,900,000 won in 2007; 14,080,000 won in 2010; 32,530,000 won in 2011; 42,820,000 won in 2012; 13,700,000 won in 2013; 29,940,000 won in 2014; 17,400,000 won in 2015; 5,000,000 won in 2016; and 125,300,000 won in 2024. There were no donation records for 2008 and 2009, and from 2017 through 2023.
W Korea has promoted the event as the country's largest charity event, saying "cumulative donations of 1.1 billion won provided specialized screening opportunities to about 500 women." However, the gap with the disclosed figures has raised questions.
On Oct. 15, the "Love Your W 2025" event held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul, drew many famous entertainers and influencers who stood on the photo wall, followed by party-style stages sponsored by brands. The official social media accounts shared videos of people holding drinks and chatting and of celebratory performances, but critics said breast cancer–related messages were relatively hard to find.
Especially at the after-party, singer Jay Park's performance of "Body" sparked debate over appropriateness. The song's lyrics include descriptions of women's bodies, and some said that was inconsistent with the event's purpose of raising breast cancer awareness.
So far W Korea has not issued a separate official statement about the discrepancy in donation amounts or the controversy over event operations.
[photo] social media
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