A major charity concert in support of the IVI and its mission drew more than 25,000 Japanese in Osaka on January 23, 2007. ‘The IVI Charity Concert 2007,’ held in the Osaka Dome, was the first international fund-raising event for the Institute held outside of Korea.

The concert was organized as part of the IVI’s expanding efforts to raise funds for its vaccine research to improve the lives of the world’s children through vaccination and to promote its humanitarian mission to people across the globe. A portion of the proceeds from the event has been donated to the IVI for its vaccine research. 

The concert featured performances and onstage interviews with some of the most popular stars of Korean pop culture, known as Hallyu, or Korean Wave. Through popular TV dramas, movies and pop music, Korean Wave has been sweeping Japan and other countries in East Asia in the past several years. Korean stars who appeared in the Osaka event included: actors Jeong Jun-ho and Song Seung-heon, and singers SG Wannabe, Kangta, Lee Min-woo, Jun Jin, and Maylin.

     
     Actor Song Seung-heon speaks to his fans onstage.

The event was made possible by efforts of several individuals, including Mr. Jeong Jun-ho, an IVI Goodwill Ambassador; Mr. Kim Ki-sig, Chairman of CTC Media in Korea; Mr. Hayashida Syourai, Chairman of SJ Entertainment in Japan; and Mr. Min Kyung-wan, IVI Advisor for Special Programs.  The actor Jeong Jun-ho played a key role in getting many of the performers to participate in the concert.

On January 22, IVI Director-General, Dr. John Clemens, presented 38 people with plaques and letters of appreciation at a reception to acknowledge their important contribution to the event. Dr. Clemens and the performers also held a press conference, attended by 50 news organizations from across Japan, to promote the IVI and the concert.

Actor Jeong Jun-ho named IVI Goodwill Envoy

 
Dr. John D. Clemens (left) shakes hands with Mr. Jeong Jun-ho as he presents a Plaque of Appreciation for Jeong´s support for the IVI Charity Concert in Osaka, Japan.

Meanwhile, actor Jeong Jun-ho was appointed as an IVI Goodwill Ambassador on December 19, 2006. Jeong is a well known Korean movie actor who has starred in many hit movies, including “My Boss, My Hero.”
 
Mr. Jeong has been highly enthusiastic in supporting charitable organizations with which he has been involved. As a Goodwill Ambassador, Jeong plans to promote the IVI by participating in and organizing high-profile events and interviews with the media.