Kim Tae-hee faces Ice Bucket Challenge, donates money

South Korean actress Kim Tae-hee has become the latest top-tier actress to join the Ice Bucket Challenge, the worldwide charity movement that started in the U.S. Kim, however, chose to make a financial contribution and leave a message of support rather than get herself drenched with icy water.  

“I was a bit late to participate (in the Ice Bucket Challenge) because I’m busy travelling between China and Korea these days,” Kim wrote on her Instagram Monday. 

“In the hope that our interest and effort can console those suffering (from the disease) and their families, I will also take this opportunity to look around our neighbors,” she said alongside two pictures of herself writing a message on sketchbook. 

Kim was nominated by K-pop girl group Girls Generation’s Yoona to take on the challenge. But she left a heartfelt message and made a donation without getting a bucket of ice water dumped over her head. 

The message reads, “ALS patients, their families and those others suffering from incurable illness! I will always support you and pray for you. Cheer up!” 

The Ice Bucket Challenge became a viral sensation with thousands of people posting videos of themselves being doused with buckets of ice water on social media. They ask others to do the same within 24 hours, or donate $100 to the ALS Association, a center for Lou Gehrig’s disease research and assistance. 

A wave of Korean celebrities including Kim’s boyfriend and singer Rain, Suzy of miss A, actors Hyun Bin, Jo In-sung and Choi Min-sik, and hip-hop artist G-Dragon also joined the movement. 

Kim is currently filming the upcoming 40-episode Chinese drama “Saint Wang Xizhi.” The Korean actress plays a wife of Wang Xizhi, the most renowned calligrapher in East Asian history.

By Ock Hyun-ju (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)