Park Sang-min By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

Singer Park Sang-min has been quietly helping the physically disabled over the last ten years. He has donated more than 4 billion won to various organizations and also held charity performances to help the disabled and the underprivileged.

``I first started to help people with hearing disabilities at a charity concert four years ago. I just thought of it as a good experience, but it all changed when I actually met the children who received the financial help and went through the operation. It was such a warm feeling, I just had to keep doing it,'' he said.

Park is not only an official member of a charity organization for patients with hearing disabilities and children with tumors, but also a member of five different donation organizations. He is currently working as the president of the organization, which aims at helping people with hearing disabilities. By holding charity concerts, Park has helped many patients who cannot afford but are in great need of an operation.

Despite his devotion, many people do not know about the singer's good deeds.

``I held a concert in my hometown in 2005. Not knowing the purpose of the concert, the neighbors didn't participate, saying that I was trying to take all their money. But when I told them that I was going to use the money for a good cause, they thanked me,'' he said.

Many celebrities have been under the spotlight with their donations and participation in charity services. Some may say that their work is merely a marketing strategy, but for Park it is a life-long lesson.
``My mother taught me everyday that we should help others, especially those who need our support. She was a great believer in charity and so I naturally learned to help others from her,'' he said.

sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr