K-Pop stars to perform at NTU students’ fundraiser party at the Padang
Charity drive in aid of needy ITE students off to a flying start with $100,000 already in the bag
Two of K-Pop’s hottest stars – Running Man’s Kang Gary and singer Jung In – will perform one night in Nanyang Technological University’s extravaganza at the Padang on 16 August.
Organised by NTU students, NTU Fest, which is open to the public, aims to raise money for the ITE Endowment Fund for needy ITE students. The full-day event culminates in a special performance by Korean rapper Kang Gary, best known as one of the seven hosts of the hugely popular entertainment show Running Man.
The Festival’s organising chairperson Ms Wu Guo Yi, a final-year chemistry student, said, “Through NTU Fest, the public will experience up-close the vibrancy and energy of NTU students. This is truly a landmark event that demonstrates the best of what we NTU students can be, when we work together as one. The support by NTU students for ITE students will also foster closer ties and goodwill between our two institutions.”
“We are very encouraged by the strong support from NTU students and the community so far. As university students, we are privileged to receive a first-class education and we should do our best to give others a leg up too on their education journey. It’s important that we do what we can to help them overcome their financial obstacles,” she added.
Prior to the evening concert, Education Minister, Mr Heng Swee Keat, will officially launch the carnival at the Padang. Mr Heng will also flag off the 4.8-kilometre 5TYLO MILE-O Run, which will take participants through Singapore’s historic Civic District, starting from Esplanade Park along the Singapore River through Fort Canning Hill and back to the Padang.
K-pop stars performing their hit singles
Kang Gary and Jung In are expected to perform their latest hit single Your Scent as well as songs from their previous albums.
Gary, whose real name is Kang Hee-gun, has been active in the Korean hip-hop music scene since the 1990s. In 2002, he formed the rap group Leessang. Jung In debuted in their song Rush, which won the hip-hop music awards at the Mnet KM Music Video Festival that same year and their music video has already chalked up more than 1.2 million views on Youtube.
Many credited the perfect blend of their voices as a reason for the song’s success. This was also the beginning of Leessang’s long partnership with Jung In.
Gary is a household name, mainly due to his appearances on Running Man, a monster hit worldwide which started in 2010. When he and Jung In released their new collaborative single Your Scent in May this year, they not only raced up the charts, but also topped the trending topics of the day on Weibo, China’s Twitter-Facebook hybrid.
Inspiring the community
NTU Fest kicks off the University’s new academic year and will be the highlight of the Freshman Welcome Week. Themed Seeing Beyond Yourself, it aims to showcase the diverse creative talents at NTU, and to inspire students to surpass themselves and contribute to the community.
Proceeds from the sale of the carnival coupons and 5TYLO MILE-O run which costs $10 to register, will go towards the Institute of Technical Education, which the student organisers have chosen as the event’s beneficiary. The funds raised will go towards the institute’s Endowment Fund which provides financial assistance to needy ITE students.
Even before the race is flagged off, the students have already raised $100,000 and they are highly optimistic that they will raise even more in the weeks leading up to the event day.
Commending the students, NTU Provost, Prof Freddy Boey said, “This festival is a great way for our students to take the lead by being role models for current and future NTU students to care for our community by raising money for needy ITE students. I hope this will inspire NTU, ITE and other students in Singapore, and spur them to achieve their best potential.”
Student groups from both NTU and ITE will be running the carnival booths, where attendees can expect a wide variety of local and international cuisine, games and fun activities for the whole family.
Organisations and the public wishing to support the NTU students in this fundraising extravanganza can contact the student organizers.
“We are very grateful to have the support of partners and sponsors such as Hong Leong Finance, Mediacorp, The Straits Times and Abwin Pte Ltd.
“We hope to get more sponsors and donors in the next few weeks so please contact us if you are interested to be part of this meaningful event,” said Guo-Yi.
