The "faceless angel" of Nosong-dong in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, who has donated money every year-end without revealing a name or face, appeared again this year. This good deed, which began in 2000, has continued for 26 years.
According to Jeonju city on Dec. 31, an anonymous phone call came in to the Nosong-dong community center at about 3:43 p.m. the previous day. A man estimated to be in his 40s or 50s left a brief message, saying, "I left a box under the pine tree in front of the Gijachon Korean buffet. Please use it for a good cause," and hung up.
Inside a box of copy paper that community center staff checked on site were bundles of 50,000-won bills and one piggy bank filled with coins. The amount aggregates 90,046,000 won. A letter in the box read, "I hope only good things happen in 2026. Please stay healthy, and happy new year."
The faceless angel's donations have continued 27 times in total through this year, starting in April 2000. The aggregates of the donations delivered so far amount to 1.13488252 billion won. In line with the donor's wishes, Jeonju city has used the money for cash assistance, briquettes, and rice for neighbors in need, as well as scholarships for local talent.
To honor this good deed, Nosong-dong residents designated Oct. 4, which evokes the number angel (1004), as "Angel Day" and hold a festival every year to carry on the spirit of sharing.
Chae Wol-seon, head of Nosong-dong in Jeonju city, said, "We extend our deep gratitude to the faceless angel who has given great love and moved us every single year since 2000," and added, "As the donor wishes, we hope the virtuous cycle of sharing continues so that we become a happier society together."