Donations to Japan

As I am sure you guys are aware, there was a recent natural disaster. As the global community comes together, celebrities are also joining in helping organizations donating money and time. Just seeing the articles and stuff come out, I wanted to contextualize it within our class. Many Korean celebrities have been coming forth and donating money for Japan disaster relief. I am curious to know your thoughts on the topic. I originally wrote a different post a week ago, but I wanted to wait on it to see what other developments would come. I will adjust accordingly.

Korean celebrities from across the board are donating their own money to the cause. I am curious to know what your thoughts are. Do you think it is a marketing ploy? As you know, many Kpop stars are trying to make a crossover into Japan in this upcoming year. As we don't know yet how this will be affected, do you think that the donations were because of this? Actors Bae Yong Joon (star of Winter Sonata, known as Yon-sama for Japanese fans, hopefully you recognize his name $900,000 in addition to blankets, food, ect),  Kim Tae Hee ($86,000), Ryu Si Won ($175,000, one of the hosts for SBS charity program "Gain strength, Japan"), Won Bin (~$186,000), Song Seung Hyun ($175,000), Jang Geun Suk ($120,000), Choi Ji Woo ($200,000) Lee Byun Hyun ($600,000), Ahn Jae Wook (~$100,000) . Celebrities Kim Hyun Joon (actor/singer $100,000), JYJ (Kpop group, disbanded from original DBSK $600,000 also raising awareness through their world tour) In addition to stars themselves, top music companies SM Entertainment ($1 mill), YG ($500,000), and JYP ($300,000) also donated collectively gathering money from staff and artists. Other: Kara's recent single - all profit will go to Japan.
   Also, there is a "Pray for Japan" campaign going on, with celebrities like Big Bang, 2ne1, Wonder Girls, JYJ, INFINITE, ect through NAVER and a SBS Charity program held on behalf of Japan on March 16th (hosted by Ryu Si Won, Park Sun Young, and Kim Tae Hee, two of whom are listed above for personal donation).

I looked up, as well, US stars.
Sandra Bullock ($1 mill), Demi Lovato ($1 mill), Clint Eastwood ($1 mill) Kristi Yamaguchi ($10,000 ice skater), New York Yankees ($100,000). Additionally there have been tweeters urging others to support by donating to certain organizations (particularly the Red Cross) like Katy Perry (also donating sales of glowsticks to Japan, Justin Beiber, Lea Michele, Chris Brown, Rihanna, Ryan Seacrest, Kim Kardasian ect.  Jack Johnson canceled his tour and is donating the proceeds. Lady Gaga raised $250,000 by selling $5 "pray for Japan" bracelets on behalf of Japanese disaster awareness and Charlie Sheen said every ticket sold, $1 would go towards Japanese awareness, Linkin Park's Mike S. created a t-shirt sold for $25 which all proceeds will go to Japan, Blink 182's frontman Mark Hoppus auctioning off rare collectibles on Ebay for Japan. Also, Black Eyed Peas is reportedly dedicating their music video to Japan, which was shot there.




Just a couple things I noted:
with few exceptions, most American celebrities are raising money, whereas Korean celebrities are personally donating. American celebrities are asking their fans to support and actually send money themselves, whereas Korean celebrities are using their own resources (though this doesn't necessarily imply lack of encouragement nor does it necessarily imply that American celebrities are not donating, just not in significant amounts to catch the news or anonymously).There are definitely exceptions, if you see some American celebrities who are willing to personally donate, and also on the Korean side, the charity program that SBS held as well.
 In addition, Korean celebrities are also spreading words of encouragement through video and on their personal webpages (also campaigns like Pray for Japan), as well as American celebrities (though there are some.. not encouraging messages as well from the American side) through web means of twitter in particular. Also, people are applauding Charlie Sheen for giving money through his tour donations, even despite the fact that you need to pay to watch his show for him to actually donate (that shows my personal bias, but when I thought about it again, though true, at the same time he is going to be making lots of money through these tour sales in light of recent controversy).

Should Korea be more involved in Japan disaster relief because of their market there? Or does it have nothing to do with market, but helping those who need it? Does the fact that Japan is a economic powerhouse make a difference than if it was perhaps a developing country (for both US and Korean celebrities)?
Also, I was interested in seeing the differences initially just seeing the differences between how American celebrities were more raising money and Korean celebrities were more donating personally. Which is the "right way"? Is it better to encourage citizens to raise awareness or support by having "regular" citizens pay for a way to raise money, or is it better for celebrities to pay themselves? "Put your money where the mouth is" kind of concept? Do you think that the Korean celebrities raising money actually encouraged "regular" citizens to also donate? Was it all just a marketing ploy or a giving back to the fans to support them? Did it matter that it was Japan and not an Asian developing country? Is it peer pressure that Korean stars felt to donate? If so, then why is US perhaps not feeling the pressure to give personal donations?

Keep in mind relative to how much money actors and entertainers actually make profit-wise. For example, we know that SM profit-wise compared to YG compared to JYP. And even, who are the most well known stars in Japan? And comparatively, even to how much Korean celebrities make to American celebrities. Sandra Bullock was one of the top 25 celebrities earners in Hollywood. I am not discounting, in any way, the amount that any of them gave, I think it is great regardless of actual monetary size but keep these things in mind. And though it has to be financial numbers, it is not meant to be a comparison piece about who gave the most/least financially but the fact that they gave support in some aspect (whether through personal donation, raising awareness, ect). Additionally, this isn't specific to just Japan. There are past disasters that both Korean celebrities and American celebrities have donated funds and time towards. Also, keep in mind the past history of Korea and Japan. Does that play a part?