The days of pamphlets and newspaper ads are gone; using objects as a means of advertisement is considered obsolete. Now it’s time to make use of people, more specifically, celebrities.
Compassion Korea, a Christian Non-Governmental Organization, has never made any particular effort to make itself known through commercials, magazines, or documentaries. However, by enlisting the aid of well-known actors, actresses, and singers such as Sean, Hye Young Jung, Eh Rah Shin, and In Pyo Cha, Compassion has successfully revealed its vision in reaching out to young, impoverished children who are in need of help and support in every aspect of their lives.
More people have been moved to take action in helping the needy especially after In Pyo Cha’s testimony in the Korean talk show “Healing Camp.” During the two hours episode, Cha shared his life-changing experience of sponsoring and meeting young children who used live in utter poverty, and he repeatedly urged the viewers to do and experience the same things that he had.
Hye Ree Kim, a senior at Chang Dong High School, never knew about Compassion until she saw the episode. “I wondered what kind of organization Compassion might be if someone like him would be so passionate about it,” said Kim. “He really inspired me to sponsor a child through Compassion and to change my perspective towards Christians.”
Skeptical views towards the use of celebrities are inevitable, however.
“I always thought celebrities agreed to work with certain organizations just for the money and never continued for more than a few years,” said Gah In Jun, a senior at Chang Dong High School. However, Jun also added that those working with Compassion were different in that “they really live out what they say and set an example for people to follow.”
Although some are skeptical, many believe that celebrities play an important role in raising public awareness.
“The media is becoming more focused on fun and entertainment, and I think this is a great opportunity to show that it can actually be used for good causes,” stated Hye Min Park, a freshman at Kyung Hee University. Another Korean student, Ye Won Kim, said that celebrities are “a great way to inspire people who would otherwise be unaware or apathetic towards certain social issues.”
The implications and effect of the issue are disputable, but it is true that Compassion has amassed a considerable amount of attention and support through the activities of celebrities. Compassion reported that after Cha’s episode of “Healing Camp” was aired, “over 65,000 children around the world received sponsorship, and the number is continuing to increase.”
Hello, Julie:)
I watched this episode of Healing Camp, too!
and I’m one of the people who were deeply moved by his words and actions!
This article is genuine! I like how you introduced a skeptical view about the matter. It made the article seem both honest and unbiased!
I really enjoyed reading your article 😀