Bae Yong-joon and Park Soo-jin Make Headlines with Generous Donations from Hawaii

Bae Yong-joon (배용준) and Park Soo-jin (박수진), the celebrity couple residing in Hawaii, have recently made headlines with their charitable contributions, bringing joy to fans who have been curious about their lives following rumors of retirement and relocation. In December 2024, Yonsei Medical Center announced that Bae Yong-joon donated 3 billion KRW to support the center's development and to assist low-income youth and infants in need of medical care. Bae expressed his hope that the donation would help the medical institution continue to grow and lead in future medical advancements, contributing to a healthier world for all, especially for underprivileged youth and infants.

Additionally, the couple made a notable donation to their children's prestigious private school in Honolulu, Hawaii. They were listed among donors contributing between $10,000 and $24,999, which translates to approximately 14.4 million to 36 million KRW. This school is renowned for its high acceptance rates into prestigious universities in the U.S., making it a popular choice for many parents seeking early education abroad. The annual tuition, including boarding fees, exceeds $60,000 (around 86 million KRW).

Bae Yong-joon and Park Soo-jin married in July 2015 and have two children together. Since their marriage, they have largely stepped back from public life, with Bae last appearing in the 2011 drama Dream High and Park halting her entertainment activities after the 2016 variety show Oksudong's Apprentice.

The couple faced controversy in 2017 when allegations arose regarding preferential treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit and postpartum care after the birth of their first son. Accusations included claims that they brought family members into restricted areas and that Park's manager delivered snacks to them. Park later issued a handwritten apology, clarifying that while her parents did visit, they did not violate any hospital rules. Despite the clarifications, rumors persisted, leading to Park's withdrawal from public activities.

In 2018, Bae Yong-joon sold his shares in KeyEast to SM Entertainment, and by 2022, his official website was taken down, fueling further retirement speculation. A close associate of Bae stated that he is content living quietly in Hawaii with his family and has effectively retired from acting, with no plans to return to the entertainment industry.

In January 2024, Park Soo-jin briefly shared a photo on social media, marking her first update in three years, but later deleted the post amid public interest. As the couple continues to engage in charitable activities, their occasional updates keep fans hopeful and connected to their lives.