Younha’s Inspiring Journey: How a K-Pop Star Established a 1 Billion Won Science Scholarship

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[Sports Today reporter Kim Tae-hyung] Singer Younha has established a scholarship for students majoring in basic sciences and has been donating to it annually.

She appeared on JTBC’s Hidden Singer 8, which aired on April 7.

On the show, host Jun Hyun-moo introduced Younha as the top artist fans wanted to see on Hidden Singer and read out numerous viewer comments calling for her appearance.

Younha said she initially debuted in Japan after auditioning for many prominent Korean agencies and being repeatedly rejected. She was eventually selected for a project seeking a Korean female rookie to sing on a Japanese drama OST — the song would be in Korean, so not knowing Japanese wasn’t an obstacle — which led her to Japan. She added that she never expected her piano skills to become an asset.

Ayumi recalled, \”When I was active in Japan, Younha’s talent was incredible. Not only was her singing exceptional, but her Japanese was strong too. Whenever she appeared, I watched and followed her closely.\” Heo Young-ji also called Younha a role model, saying, \”After seeing her Japanese debut stage, I thought, ‘I want to be that kind of singer.’\”

Younha said she returned to work in Korea after appearing on the documentary series Human Theater. Song Eun-yi remembered that segment as a young singer’s success story in Japan, and Younha joked that she was \”re-imported\” to Korea, drawing laughs.

Paul Kim recalled that he participated in the show Duet Song Festival as a contestant and sang with the senior artist. He said he worked closely with her, listening to her sing without a microphone in the practice room as well as on stage, which boosted his confidence.

A self-professed fan of science, Younha set up a scholarship for undergraduates majoring in basic sciences and reportedly donates 100,000,000 KRW annually (about $66,000). Science communicator Gwedo said, \”This is an extremely difficult undertaking. She didn’t just make a one-off, public-spirited donation — she created an actual scholarship for scientists working in basic research, a field that struggles to receive support. Naming a song ‘Event Horizon,’ a term well known in the scientific community, is a notable achievement.\”

[Sports Today reporter Kim Tae-hyung ent@stoo.com]
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