COVID-19: SA fans of K-pop boy band to feed homeless

The fan group took to Facebook to make the announcement. “Despite the fact that our SOPE event has been postponed due to COVID-19, caring for others has become more important than ever ... If you’re able to donate, please complete our form. We’ll contact all donors at the end of March to arrange collection.”

The fan group is working with a community-based project called Ladles of Love to feed the homeless.

“Ladles of Love is an extensive community project dedicated to feeding hungry people,” the official website reads. “Our soup kitchens feed the homeless of Cape Town every week. Our other projects provide food to struggling schools, students and communities.”

BTS Army South Africa was founded in 2017 in support of Bangtan Boys, the seven-member K-pop boy band formed in Seoul in 2010. The band's 2020 album Map of the Soul: 7 debuted on the US Billboard 200 with more than 420 000 album-equivalent units sold in the first week. The band also had a memorable performance alongside Lil Nas X at the 2020 Grammys.

“Because of them, we have met incredible people from all walks of life, engaged in philanthropic activities, we’ve smiled more, laughed a whole lot more, travelled across the world and learned to love ourselves,” BTS Army South Africa said.