The 20th “Love Your W” night looked like a luxury party, sounded like one, and—judging by the backlash—forgot what it was for. Jay Park has apologized. W Korea has too. Questions about donations remain.
Popspur — Oct 20, 2025
What happened?
W Korea’s 20th “Love Your W” breast cancer awareness gala in Seoul has sparked intense criticism after coverage on the magazine’s channels described it as a “breast cancer party,” with videos circulating of a glitzy, alcohol-fueled atmosphere that many felt trivialized a serious health issue
Why netizens are upset
Tone-deaf branding: The “party” framing and club-like ambiance clashed with the event’s stated mission of supporting patients and awareness.
Performances questioned: Rapper Jay Park apologized today for performing his sexually explicit hit “Mommae,” acknowledging it was inappropriate for the setting.
Donation transparency: Scrutiny has grown over W Korea’s claims about funds raised across the campaign’s history. One report cites government-sourced data indicating ₩315 million KRW donated over 17 years—far below the ₩1.1 billion KRW figure the magazine has publicly referenced.
The respose so far
W Korea issued a public apology on Oct 19, saying it “neglected to carefully consider the perspective of breast cancer patients and their families.” The magazine promised to reflect on the execution of the event.
Who was there
The guest list included dozens of high-profile K-pop idols and actors. Online debate has centered on whether attendees share responsibility or whether the issue lies primarily with the event’s design and messaging
The bigger picture
Awareness galas ride a fine line between fundraising, brand marketing, and genuine advocacy. When tone and transparency slip, public trust can unravel quickly—even for long-running campaigns like “Love Your W
Why it matters?
Awareness galas walk a tightrope: raise funds and attention without turning pain into PR. When tone and transparency wobble, trust takes the fall—even for a 20‑year campaign.
Quick timeline
Oct 15: 20th “Love Your W” gala at Four Seasons Seoul.
Oct 16–18: Clips spread; criticism builds around “party” framing and set list.
Oct 19: W Korea publishes apology.
Oct 21: Jay Park apology circulates; donation scrutiny intensifies.
Pull-Quote
“We failed to carefully consider the perspective of breast‑cancer patients and their families.” — W Korea
Editor’s note
We’ll update if W Korea releases audited donation totals or a post‑mortem on the 2025 event.