EXO’s Suho Gains Praise For Supporting Children In Gaza Amidst “Block Out” Controversy

EXO member Suho is gaining widespread appreciation from netizens for his efforts to raise relief funds for children in Gaza, Palestine.

Over the past few months, people all around the world have come together to condemn the onslaught on civilian lives in the Gaza Strip by Israel. The humanitarian crisis in the Strip is accelerating at a historical pace, with civilians stripped of their homes, food, clean water, and safe shelter. In these circumstances, people have grown increasingly critical of celebrities and influencers who have refused to speak up or help the affected population using their huge platform.

Families & children, returning to @UNRWA schools in Khan Younis to seek "safety" & "shelter".

Extensive damage from where these @UN facilities have already been impacted. There is no water available in Khan Younis.

A new level of desperation, unfolding under the world's watch. pic.twitter.com/mtaEy5TMEz

— UNRWA (@UNRWA) May 13, 2024

Nearly 360,000 people have fled #Rafah since the first evacuation order a week ago.

Meanwhile, in north #Gaza bombardments & other evacuation orders have created more displacement & fear for thousands of families.

There’s nowhere to go. There’s NO safety without a #ceasefire pic.twitter.com/BEgP97DVNi

— UNRWA (@UNRWA) May 13, 2024

The criticism has expanded to the K-Pop industry, with many arguing that the artists are not detached from the global audience anymore and should use their influence to help in these exceptionally bleak circumstances. The criticism also got severe backlash from K-Pop fandoms, who felt it was impractical for idols to speak about the issue for various reasons. However, Suho has gained an outpouring of praise and support from netizens for taking a humanitarian stance in this regard.

On April 30, KST, the idol posted a video on social media announcing that he will be participating in the annual Green Heart Bazaar event with S.E.S member Bada, Eugene, and So Yoo Jin to raise funds for the UNICEF Gaza Strip Emergency Relief Campaign.

#SUHO IG story: “please join me in a good way” about the auction market on May 11th for the children of Gaza 🤍@weareoneEXO pic.twitter.com/aA937fFJ4W

— My EXO Diary (@ExoBaekDiary) April 30, 2024

Though several other Korean celebrities contributed to the fundraising auction by donating their personal belongings, Suho posting a story directly talking about the children in Gaza and encouraging people further to donate is being seen as a good precedent that other idols can also follow. Though some felt this was the “bare minimum” for a huge star like Suho, they still wished that other idols of his stature would follow suit.

I ain't an EXO fan but I'll give credit where it's due. It's great he's doing this. And he also posted on his socials. This will encourage the fans as well as other idols to follow his footsteps! Great job Suho! https://t.co/Z9wjzdmJdL

— na(utanki) Yoongi misser🍉 (@snoozingyoongi) May 12, 2024

??? this suho exo guy was discharged in 2022 and still involved in unicef charity event for gaza children without any problem pic.twitter.com/WNTs5tdjSJ https://t.co/DEOecAt9lB

— naz (@lilsunnymimi) May 12, 2024

btw for yall who are convinced if anyone from a big4 company speaks out they isl lose their whole career here is suho from exo UNDER SM speaking out about a charity event he will participate in to raise money for ppl in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/xCjYEDfyi5

— joshua 樂★ (@sunjaedolly) May 12, 2024

I NEED YALL TO WAKE UP AND START DEMANDING YOUR IDOLS TO BREAK FREE FROM THEIR AGENCY VALUES!!! I've been begging engenes for days to speak, and all I get is nothing or excuses. They are grown men please give them the chance to speak and stand with us on the right side of history https://t.co/lmcmaZZxEw

— ezzy_19 (@Ezzy_2004) May 12, 2024

it's really great to see suho letting everyone know that he's raising money for children in gaza!! and you see; his career is still there – weeks after he posted this story, he's still healthy. there's no reason for other idols to not do the same thing or simply just speaking up. https://t.co/SDkPYo4Vcz

— lulu⁷ (@interstellarbts) May 13, 2024

ulting the right ppl but this lowk be the bare minimum for kpop idols to be doing w the amount of money they have, but the fact that he has and no one else has under the big 3 (minus jonghyun) is amazing to see https://t.co/3RnblcUmlJ

— R• BLM 🇵🇸 (@taemieslovebot) May 12, 2024