South Korean actor and singer Cha Eunwoo's contribution to an ALS awareness campaign in 2023 was among the many efforts supporting patients living with the progressive neurological disease. Two years later, the fundraising mission reached a significant milestone with the opening of the Seungil Hope Nursing Hospital in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. Reports by Star Today, The Korea JoongAng Daily, The Korea Times and South Korea's Yonhap News Agency document the journey from celebrity contributions and public donations to the completion of the specialised facility.
In July 2023, Cha participated in the 2023 Ice Bucket Challenge after being nominated by actor Lee Jung-jae. Rather than taking part by pouring ice water over himself, the ASTRO member chose to contribute financially, donating 10 million won to support people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. According to Star Today, Cha also encouraged greater public attention towards people affected by rare and incurable illnesses and their families. He nominated fellow ASTRO member Yoon San-ha and actors Moon Ga-young and Park Gyu-young to continue the campaign. The initiative was part of a wider fundraising movement associated with the Seungil Hope Foundation, which had been working towards establishing a specialised hospital for ALS patients.
A 14-year effort finally reaches its goal
The hospital's origins go back to 2011, when former professional basketball coach Park Seung-il and singer Sean established the Seungil Hope Foundation. Park had been diagnosed with ALS at the age of 31 and subsequently dedicated much of his life to raising awareness about the condition and securing better care for patients. Sean, who remained closely involved in the project, helped lead fundraising activities over the years, including the revival of the Ice Bucket Challenge in South Korea. According to The Korea Times, more than 350,000 individual donors contributed towards the hospital's construction, which required an investment of nearly 24 billion won. The project also received support from corporate partners and government funding. Park, however, did not live to see the facility completed. He died in September 2024, around six months before its official opening.
What the new hospital offers patients
On March 31, 2025, the Seungil Hope Nursing Hospital officially opened in Yongin, becoming South Korea's first specialised nursing hospital dedicated to patients with ALS and other severe neuromuscular disorders. The facility was constructed with a total investment of 23.9 billion won, including approximately 12 billion won in government funding and 11.9 billion won raised through donations. The fundraising effort brought together around 350,000 contributors. Spanning approximately 5,000 square metres, the hospital has two basement levels, four floors above ground and 76 beds. It also includes rehabilitation facilities, family visitation areas and spaces for cultural and recreational activities. As reported by Yonhap News Agency, the facility is designed to provide specialised medical care and support for people with severe muscular conditions. ALS gradually affects the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movements. As the disease progresses, patients can lose their ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe independently. Many require ventilators, feeding tubes and continuous medical assistance. The hospital aims to address these complex needs through round-the-clock care, specialised caregiving services and rehabilitation support, while also easing the considerable responsibilities placed on patients' families. The opening ceremony brought together more than 200 people, including donors, healthcare professionals, public officials and several celebrities who had supported the foundation's work. The completion of the hospital marked a significant moment for the foundation and the families it hopes to serve. What began as a personal mission by a former basketball coach eventually became a collective effort involving hundreds of thousands of people, with the new facility offering specialised care to a community that has long faced limited treatment and caregiving options.
