6 Inspiring K-Pop Artists Who Have Schools Named After Them

Going to school would probably be a lot more enjoyable if K-Pop was involved—and for some students, it is. These six K-Pop stars all have schools named after them across rural China and Africa.

1. V (BTS)

This month, BTS’s V became the latest K-Pop star to get a school named after him: Taehyung Hope Primary School. Taehyung is V’s birth name.

His Chinese fanbase, Baidu V Bar, donated ¥500,000 RMB (around $71,500 USD) to make this rural school a reality, and construction is expected to be completed this year.

Birthday Project PART 1

Baidu V bar, in the name of all fans, donated 500,000 RMB (approximately $71,500) for the construction of a Taehyung Hope Primary School through the renowned Hope Project.

We hope kids grow up safely and happily in peace.@BTS_twt #Taehyung #テヒョン pic.twitter.com/6V0PRDiHhu

— CHINA Baidu Vbar (@KIMTAEHYUNGBAR_) July 11, 2020

2. YoonA (Girls’ Generation)

Several idol fanbases have collaborated with the China Youth Development Foundation’s Hope Project, including a fansite for Girls’ Generation’s YoonA.

Lim YoonA Hope Primary School in China opened in September 2018, and fansite YOONAYA still regularly donates learning materials to the students.

3. Kai (EXO)

China Kim Jongin Bar, the Chinese fanbase for EXO’s Kai, joined the ranks in December 2018 when they donated to the construction of Kim Jongin Hope Primary School. Kim Jongin is Kai’s real name.

While construction for the school was underway, fans even got to design the school’s official logo.

오늘의 로고입니다. 여러분들도 많이 많이 참여해 주세요!#엑소카이_자선학교 #EXOKAI_HOPE_PRIMARY_SCHOOL pic.twitter.com/mmjvMEqMCq

— China KimjonginBar (@KimJonginBar) December 21, 2018

4. Yunho (TVXQ)

Yunho of TVXQ has a slightly different story behind his school. While most idol-named schools are set up completely by fans, Yunho (also known as U-KNOW) actually contributed to the Yunho Education Center himself.

The school has been serving 200 students in Bongo, Ghana since 2015. Yunho decided to participate in the project alongside his fans after visiting Ghana while shooting a charity TV shown in 2014.

5. Super Junior

While most of the idols on this list have one school built in their honor, Super Junior has two. ELFs from all over the world partnered with Build a School in Africa to finance the construction of two schools.

The schools are in Tiogola and Nimporodioula, two villages in Mali. Both schools opened in 2016.

6. Lay (EXO)

Another idol with two schools built in their name is EXO’s Lay. The first school, Zhang Yixing Bar Primary School, was built in 2015. Zhang Yixing is Lay’s real name.