South Korean breast cancer event under fire for celebrity partying, lack of awareness
High fashion magazine W Korea’s breast cancer fundraiser has drawn online ire for being ‘nothing more than an idol networking event’
Photos and videos of celebrities such as BTS’ V and RM, Aespa’s Karina and Lovely Runner actor Byeon Woo-seok drinking and partying at W Korea’s “Love Your W 2025” breast cancer awareness campaign at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul’s Jongno district on Wednesday sparked criticism that the event looked more like a fashion party than a charity initiative, The Korea Times newspaper reported.
Online comments on W Korea’s social media posts of the party on Thursday called it a “celebrity friendship party disguised as a breast cancer campaign” and “nothing more than an idol networking event using a breast cancer campaign as a marketing label”.
“What does drinking and posing for photos have to do with breast cancer awareness?” one user asked.
“Alcohol is the worst thing for breast cancer,” another noted.
One woman took issue with the images of the celebrities dancing and doing viral social media challenges without a single mention of the cause. “I am a breast-cancer patient. Did my illness become something for you to party over, drink and laugh about?”