IU and IVE Receive National Fire Agency Commissioner's Commendations for Supporting Firefighters
IU and IVE received commendations from the Commissioner of Korea's National Fire Agency on the 64th Fire Prevention Day on Nov. 9, honoring their donations for wildfire victims and firefighters, disaster relief group Hope Bridge and IVE's agency Starship Entertainment said on Nov. 10.
IU and IVE have been honored for standing behind Korea's firefighters. The two acts received commendations from the Commissioner of the National Fire Agency on the 64th Fire Prevention Day on Nov. 9, disaster relief organization Hope Bridge said on Nov. 10. Hope Bridge had recommended both for the award.
During the large wildfires that hit Korea's Yeongnam region in March 2025, IU and IVE each gave 200 million won through Hope Bridge and asked that half of it go to firefighters. That money paid for emergency dispatch kits and meals for crews at disaster sites, according to Sports Donga. IVE also lent their voices in October to the National Fire Agency's 'Fire Hero Membership' welfare platform, which Starship Entertainment cited when announcing the honor.
"I wanted to be of even a little help to the firefighters working hard at disaster sites, but this commendation has instead given me strength," IU said in a statement carried by Sports Donga (translated from Korean). In a statement released through Starship Entertainment, IVE said, per Yonhap's report (translated), that they were "truly grateful and honored" and wanted to express "respect and gratitude" to firefighters who work for public safety.
Confirmed
- Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association said on Nov. 10 that IU (real name Lee Ji-eun) and IVE (An Yu-jin, Gaeul, Rei, Jang Won-young, Liz and Leeseo) received National Fire Agency Commissioner's commendations on the 64th Fire Prevention Day, Nov. 9, after Hope Bridge recommended them.
- IVE's agency Starship Entertainment said on Nov. 10 that IVE received the commendation, citing the group's participation in October in a voice talent-donation project for the National Fire Agency's official welfare platform 'Fire Hero Membership,' per Yonhap.
- IU and IVE each donated 200 million won to Hope Bridge during the March 2025 wildfires in the Yeongnam region, designating 100 million won for wildfire victims and 100 million won for firefighters, per Hope Bridge as reported by Sports Donga and bnt News.
Reported by other outlets
- According to Sports Donga, Hope Bridge used the combined 200 million won designated for firefighters to make emergency dispatch kits and provide meals and snacks for firefighters at disaster sites.
- Sports Donga reports that IU has donated a total of 500 million won to Hope Bridge since 2020, including 100 million won each for 2020 flood relief, the 2022 Gyeongbuk-Gangwon wildfires and 2022 storm damage.
Analysis
2FC NEWSROOM analysis: For IU, whose disaster-relief giving through Hope Bridge now totals 500 million won according to Sports Donga, the award recognizes years of steady support rather than a single gift.
Sources
- Yonhap: IVE receives National Fire Agency Commissioner's commendation (Nov. 10, 2026)
- Sports Donga: IU and IVE receive Fire Agency Commissioner's commendation on 64th Fire Prevention Day (Nov. 10, 2026)
- bnt News: IU and IVE receive Fire Agency Commissioner's commendation (Nov. 10, 2026)
- OSEN: IVE recognized for supporting firefighters (Nov. 10, 2026)