Concert Demonstrates Solidarity with N.Korean Defectors

The 1,000-capacity hall at Yonsei University in Seoul had been already full hours before the concert for North Korean defectors was scheduled to start at 7 p.m. on Sunday. Titled "Cry With Us," it was held to urge the Chinese government not to repatriate North Korean refugees arrested there. For the hour, many in the audience and on stage did cry or struggled to hold back tears. It was the first concert hosted by a group with the same name formed by celebrities who are campaigning for North Korean defectors. Actor Cha In-pyo managed to solicit the participation of 49 celebrities. Cha said he tried to hold the concert as early as possible as he thought in that way it could save more people's lives. When the celebrities who attended Sunday's concert swore their support for the North Korean escapees, North Korean defectors in the crowd responded with cheers and tears. Only defectors were invited to the concert, and more than 1,000 came from all parts of the country to give their support to the cause.

“Plant 20000 Mango Trees Of Hope In Sudan, Africa”

JYJ, Song Ji-hyo, and Park Yoo-hwan participated in the World Vision project entitled "Planting 20,000 Mango Trees of Hope" in Sudan, Africa. Their agency, C-Jes Entertainment, said on November 24, "JYJ, Song Ji-hyo, and Park Yoo-hwan decided to actively participate in the fund raising activities to support World Vision's project of planting mango trees in Sudan". They will deliver their encouraging message through the official website of C-Jes Entertainment (http://www.c-jes.co.kr), saying, "Why don't we plant mango trees that can become a shelter and food at the same time for children in Sudan who have lost their hope while experiencing a long history of civil wars up to now". People who want to participate in the project can send 10,000 won for one seedling, and they will be provided with a thank you note bearing the stars' autographs by C-Jes Entertainment. JYJ said, "We want to build a thick forest in Sudan together with our fans who have shown their greatest love to us. The mango trees reportedly live for one hundred years, and I think that planting a mango tree has a significant long-lasting meaning".