A new national scholarship for undergraduate students majoring in basic science (physics and astronomy), funded by singer Younha's donations, has been established as the "Blue Lantern singer Younha donation scholarship."
On the 25th, Younha posted on social media the recruitment notice for the Korea Student Aid Foundation's "new Blue Lantern donation scholarship recipients for the first semester of 2026," along with the message, "Friends in physics and astronomy, apply for the Younha scholarship. You should win the Nobel Prize."
The Blue Lantern donation scholarship is a program that supports living expenses for outstanding low-income college students with donations from individuals and corporations. Among the 17 donors selecting new scholarship recipients this semester, one is Younha. The Korea Student Aid Foundation has provided 47.6 billion won in scholarships to about 28,000 college students from 2009 to the present.
The Younha scholarship operates at an annual scale of 100 million won, and in this first semester a total of 25 students will receive 2.5 million won each. To raise funds, Younha donated 50 million won, Younha's band donated 2.5 million won, and YouTuber Syuka World contributed 10 million won. Tagging the Syuka World account on social media, Younha said, "Thank you for sharing the spirit."
Eligible applicants are students enrolled at domestic four-year universities or junior colleges with Korean nationality who fall at or below level 6 of financial aid eligibility, and their department name must include "physics" or "astronomy." However, departments in the medical and health fields, such as physical therapy, are excluded.
Previously, in Dec. last year, Younha delivered 100 million won in scholarship funds to the Seoul office of the Korea Student Aid Foundation in Jung District, Seoul.
At the time, Younha said, "I wanted to share the love I received from fans with future scientists," and added, "I hope that, with steady support every year, students studying physics and astronomy can devote themselves to their studies without financial worries and grow into talents who shine brightly like stars in the night sky."
The Korea Student Aid Foundation and Younha plan to continue support for low-income college students majoring in basic science at an annual scale of 100 million won.
Younha has shown interest in space and science by releasing songs based on astronomy concepts, including "Event horizon," "Oort cloud," and "Black hole."