During any K-pop idol or K-drama actor’s birthday, fans would go out of their way to show their love for their faves—pre-pandemic, it was in the form of cup sleeve events and gatherings. Along with those events, fans would also do some good through charitable work.
On September 1, 2020, BTS’ golden maknae, Jeon Jungkook, turned 23 years old. To celebrate, Filipino fan base Golden Alliance PH donated food and bathing supplies to Manila Zoo’s Maali, a 47-year-old elephant under the care of the Public Recreation Bureau.
Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno acknowledged the deed and thanked Filipino ARMYs on his official Twitter account (and even included a purple heart!) for their compassion. The Manila Public Information Office’s Facebook account also extended their gratitude for the fan base’s help and support.
This project is just one of Golden Alliance PH’s many efforts. When asked how they prepared, a representative of the fan base said in a Twitter conversation with Cosmopolitan Philippines: “We have a team composed of Filipino ARMYs around the world, we planned everything: From how many birthday ads we can provide and, up until now, how many donations we can set. [So] for this year, we’ve come up with three LED billboard ads, in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, and had two donation projects, one of which is Maali’s.”
Golden Alliance PH also wishes for Jungkook’s happiness and health, and more success for the group. “BTS consists of seven wonderful, humble boys who teach you how to love and appreciate others. These boys came from nothing and are now so successful, through hard work and persistence.”
Great job, ARMYs! We bet JK and the rest of BTS are so, so proud of you.
*Answers have been edited and condensed for clarity.
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