Entertainment
Shin Min‑a Donated Over $2.7 Million in 15 Years to Burn Victims, Children and Disaster Relief, Revealed by Foundation Representative
South Korean actress Shin Min‑a, known for her role in "Hometown Cha‑Cha‑Cha", has quietly donated more than 3.7 billion won (about $2.7 million) over a 15‑year period to support burn victims, children from low‑income families and other vulnerable groups. The donations were uncovered after a foundation representative posted that the organization had initially thought the monthly deposits from Shin’s bank account were an error. The representative said the actress had asked that her contributions remain private and be used for burn patients’ treatment and educational programs for disadvantaged children.
The Hallym Burn Foundation, which treats severe burn injuries, confirmed that Shin has given 100 million won (about $73,000) annually since 2015. By September 2026 her total to the foundation reached 1.1 billion won (around $800,000), helping more than 200 patients and covering medical and nursing costs. The foundation noted that Shin also arranges personalized gifts for young patients during holidays.
Shin’s philanthropy extends beyond burn care. Since 2009 she has supported disadvantaged children, elderly people living alone, North Korean defectors, and has provided emergency relief for natural disasters and crises such as the COVID‑19 pandemic, wildfires, earthquakes and floods. She has also funded educational programs for low‑income children.
The cumulative donations are believed to have exceeded 4 billion won (about $2.9 million) when earlier and additional contributions are included. On her wedding day in December 2025, Shin and fellow actor Kim Woo‑bin donated 300 million won (about $220,000) to three organizations, including the Hallym Burn Foundation, Asan Medical Center and Good Friends. Kim has donated more than 1.1 billion won over the years, and the couple’s combined donations have surpassed 5 billion won (about $3.6 million).
Shin has said she prefers to keep her charitable work private, believing that good deeds should be done quietly. She later felt that publicizing her contributions could encourage others to help. She hopes that reporting on her donations will inspire at least one person to consider helping someone in need.
Shin’s philanthropic profile has gained renewed attention as she returns to the screen with the Disney+ original series "The Remarried Empress," released on November 4 2026. She portrays Navier, a queen whose marriage and position are challenged when her husband seeks to replace her with another woman. Her career has also included popular dramas such as "Our Blues" and "My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho".