Fan rice (Korean:쌀 기부;RR:ssal gibu;lit. 'rice donation'), usually stacks of rice bags decorated with ribbons and photos, are gifts fromK-popfans to their favorite artists. The amount of donated rice can vary between a few kilograms and several tonnes.[1] The rice is usually then donated to a charity of the idols' choice.
The first instance of fan-donated rice was atShin Hye-sung's concert on 11 August 2007.[2][3][4]
Fans ofK-pop buy bags of rice and donate them to their favorite artists. Rice is sorted out in 20 kg bags, arranged into "towers" by dedicated companies who purchase the rice from local farmers and transport it to the venues according to the orders from the fan clubs. Fans often inscribe special or personal messages onto the bags or attach photos to them. Donating rice indicates that fans take greater social responsibility besides showing their respect and support to their favorite artists. Sending rice bags to venues have also appeared in Japan, as part of the K-pop wave.[1]