The offline race took place Dec. 6 at Hanam Misagangjeong Park, where 5,000 runners completed a 10-kilometer course alongside Sean. (Image courtesy of Kakao Pay)
SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — A nationwide charity running campaign jointly organized by KakaoPay and singer Sean has concluded with record participation, underscoring the rapid rise of digital philanthropy and community fundraising in South Korea.
The “2025 Long Run” campaign — designed as an online and offline donation marathon — drew a combined 265,000 participants, the largest turnout ever for a domestic virtual running event. The initiative was created not only to encourage long-distance running but also to promote long-term support for small businesses.
The online portion ran for 17 days through KakaoPay’s step-counting app, surpassing its original target of 1 billion steps within 28 hours. The project ultimately reached 22.5 billion cumulative steps, triggering a total donation of 2 billion won (US$1.5 million), double KakaoPay’s initial pledge.
At the offline “2025 Long Run” event held on Dec. 5 at Hanam Misa Lakeside Park in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, singer Sean (second from left), Kakao Pay Vice President Cha Seung-jin (second from right) and Vice President Lee Yun-geun (far left) present a 2 billion won donation for small business owners to Lee Won-tae, secretary-general of the Together Working Foundation (far right). (Photo provided by Kakao Pay)
The offline race took place Dec. 6 at Hanam Misagangjeong Park, where 5,000 runners completed a 10-kilometer course alongside Sean. Finishers received commemorative medals and packages, and KakaoPay formally presented the 2 billion won donation to the social foundation Together Working, which will distribute the funds to support small merchants.
The event featured warm-up sessions, musical performances, a donor recognition ceremony, and giveaways, while KakaoPay’s on-site campaign booths promoted small-business brands.
Sean, who originally introduced the idea for a donation marathon on his YouTube channel, expressed gratitude to participants, calling the achievement “a miracle created by collective footsteps.” He said he intends to pursue a world record next year. The current global benchmark for virtual run participation stands at 310,793 people.
Singer Sean participates in a charity run marking Liberation Day. (Image provided by YG Entertainment)
Sean has become one of Korea’s most visible philanthropic figures. He has staged annual Independence Movement and Liberation Day charity runs and has donated tens of billions of won to causes ranging from housing support for descendants of independence activists to pediatric rehabilitation and hospice care.
KakaoPay CEO Shin Won-geun said the event demonstrated how digital platforms can mobilize large numbers of users for social good, adding that the company plans to expand long-term collaboration programs with small businesses.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
