Africa: WHO and Enhypen Join Efforts to Inspire Young Blood Donors Globally

What the report says

The World Health Organization said its director-general, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, met with K-pop group ENHYPEN in Seoul on 22 October to mark the success of a joint campaign tied to World Blood Donor Day 2026. According to WHO’s press release carried by AllAfrica, the meeting took place at HYBE headquarters and included representatives of the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Korean Red Cross and BELIFT LAB.

WHO said the collaboration began on 14 June 2026 and used music, social media and ENHYPEN’s fan base, known as ENGENE, to encourage voluntary, unpaid blood donation. The group shared digital content urging fans to learn about safe blood donation, pledge to donate and support blood drives in their communities. WHO said the campaign reached millions of people and drew more than 9,000 pledges from 177 countries, with over 3,250 participants identifying as ENGENE.

The report said ENHYPEN also visited a blood donation centre in Seoul, where members were screened for eligibility and two members donated plasma. Fans in several countries reportedly responded by sharing photos and personal accounts of donating blood. WHO used the meeting to stress the need for regular donors, especially younger people, because blood supplies must be continually replenished and access to safe blood remains uneven worldwide.

More broadly, the release frames the effort as part of WHO’s work to promote safe, adequate national blood supplies and to use high-profile partners to reach younger audiences on public health issues.