Singer Hwang Young-woong has taken the lead in practicing sharing with the local community by donating 15 million won to the Hometown Love Donation Campaign in Gangjin-gun, South Jeolla Province.

At the donation ceremony held on the 7th, his younger brother Hwang Sung-heon attended on behalf of Hwang Young-woong, who is currently managing a busy schedule. Hwang expressed his brother's intention, saying, "My brother has not forgotten the warm hospitality and connection he confirmed with the county residents on the stage of the last 'Gangjin Celadon Festival,' and he decided to donate to contribute, even just a little, to the development of Gangjin."

This donation is more than just a simple contribution; it holds a special meaning in that the decision made by Gangjin-gun amidst considerable controversy in the past has returned over time as a fruit of regional mutual growth.

At the time, regarding Hwang Young-woong's appearance at the festival, the county office was bombarded with various inquiry calls, and petitions opposing his appearance were even posted on the homepage, drawing attention from both inside and outside the local community. Although it was not an easy situation, Gangjin County Governor Kang Jin-won made the bold decision to keep his appearance after much deliberation on the direction that could breathe vitality into the local commercial district and ensure the completeness of the festival.

The result was a success. Hwang Young-woong's stage drew audiences from all over the country to Gangjin, driving the festival's box office success and injecting distinct vitality into the entire local commercial district, including the lodging and restaurant industries.

In particular, Hwang Young-woong's fans did not stop at simply watching the performance. They voluntarily launched the 'Gangjin Agricultural Products Purchasing Campaign' and the 'One Person, One Celadon Campaign,' actively helping to expand the consumption of local specialties such as seaweed, kelp, and oat rice, thereby proving their positive influence.

Hwang Sung-heon, who delivered the donation, repeatedly expressed his gratitude, saying, "I am glad to be able to repay, even just a little, the overflowing love we received in Gangjin. I am deeply grateful to the Gangjin Celadon Festival for showing the path and direction my brother should take, and to the governor for his choice to invite him despite the difficult circumstances."

In response, Governor Kang Jin-won replied, "There were various opinions at the time, but I thought deeply about what would be a more meaningful choice for the county residents and the local economy. I think it is very meaningful that the connection from that time has led to today's Hometown Love Donation." He also emphasized, "We will clearly show the value of the donation by investing the precious financial resources you have donated into welfare projects that the county residents can directly feel."