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aespa's Winter Donates 200 Million Won to UNICEF and Samsung Medical Center
Winter of aespa donated 200 million won on March 19, splitting the sum evenly between UNICEF Korea and the Patient Happiness Fund at Samsung Medical Center.
March 19, 2026
Two hundred million won in a single day, split evenly between children in conflict zones and patients who cannot afford their own treatment. Winter (윈터), the 25-year-old main vocalist of aespa (에스파), just made a statement that has nothing to do with music and everything to do with who she is.
The Donation
On March 19 KST, SM Entertainment confirmed that Winter donated a total of 200 million won (approximately $134,000 USD) to two organizations. One hundred million went to the UNICEF Korea Committee, earmarked for physical and psychological treatment, nutrition support, and healthcare for children caught in conflict and disaster zones. The other 100 million went to the Patient Happiness Fund at Samsung Medical Center, supporting patients from underprivileged families who face significant financial burdens in their care and recovery.
"I wanted to give back the great love I have received from my fans to the world. I hope all children everywhere can keep their dreams, go to school, and enjoy a normal daily life, no matter their circumstances."
Winter, on the UNICEF donation, via SM Entertainment
"I hope this can be of even a little help in the treatment and recovery of patients who are going through financial difficulties. I will be sincerely cheering them on so that they can regain a healthy, everyday life."
Winter, on the Samsung Medical Center donation, via SM Entertainment
UNICEF Honors Club
With her 100 million won contribution to UNICEF Korea, Winter has entered the organization's Honors Club, a recognition group for individual donors who cross the 100 million won threshold. The designation signals a sustained, serious level of financial commitment to the organization's global humanitarian work.
A Pattern, Not a One-Off
This is not a gesture made for a news cycle. In March 2025, Winter donated 100 million won to support wildfire victims in Korea's Yeongnam region. She has also joined her aespa groupmates in contributing to relief efforts following fires in Hong Kong and Los Angeles. For a 25-year-old at the peak of her career, the consistency of giving is what separates this from celebrity PR.
About Winter and aespa
Winter, born Kim Min-jeong (김민정) on January 1, 2001, in Busan, debuted on November 17, 2020 as a member of aespa alongside Karina (카리나), Giselle (지젤), and Ningning (닝닝). The group is one of SM Entertainment's flagship acts, recently confirmed for Lollapalooza Chicago 2026.
aespa is currently mid-run on their 2025-26 Live Tour SYNK: aeXIS Line, their third concert tour. The Asia leg continues with a show at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition in Jakarta on April 4, 2026.
