Indonesian BTS fans' eco-friendly birthday gift to Jimin: 8,735 mangrove trees
The fundraising project spearheaded by ARMYs will go to helping a village in Central Java that’s in danger of sinking due to rising sea water levels.
Jimin from K-pop group BTS gets a nice eco-friendly gift from Indonesian ARMYs. (Photo: Instagram/bts.bighitofficial)
Some K-pop fans celebrate their favourite idol’s birthday by renting advertising billboards – but BTS’ ARMY fans in Indonesia went with an eco-friendly gift for Jimin by pledging to plant thousands of mangrove trees to help a sinking village.
Ahead of the BTS member’s 26th birthday on Oct 13, a fundraising project titled “1000 Trees for BTS Jimin (Jimin’s Birthday Project)” led to funds for planting and maintaining 8,735 trees in the Bedono Village in Central Java, according to entertainment portal Allkpop.
The campaign, which ran from Sep 25 to Oct 4, was set up to help the coastal village, which has had to deal with rising sea water levels. According to organisers, more than 250 families have been relocated because of the land erosion caused by the removal of mangrove forests.
According to Allkpop, the fundraiser was prompted by Jimin’s own donations to other people in need. This year, BTS member donated 100 million won (S$117,111) to students in South Jeolla Province in Korea and also replaced the desks at Busan Arts High School. Last year, he also gave 100 million won to the Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education.
READ: BTS leader RM donates 100 million won to a museum on his 26th birthday
Last month, fellow BTS member RM also donated 100 million won to the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) on his own 26th birthday.
