Hallyu star Rain got himself drenched in icy water and pledged to donate 100 million won ($98,000) to research into Lou Gehrig’s Disease, joining a slew of Korean and global celebrities in the viral Ice Bucket Challenge.

“The meaning of participating in this campaign is very special to me. My father-like mentor Hong Seung-sung, who led me to debut as a singer, has been suffering from the Lou Gehrig’s Disease for three years,” he said on YouTube. “I’ve always thought how to return his love and gratefulness.” 

Rain’s donation will be given to a college hospital that conducts research to find new treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease

Hong, the president of Cube Entertainment, has trained many K-pop groups including Rain, 4Minute, B2ST and G.NA.

For the next three targets of the challenge, rain pointed pop star Psy, actor Lee Byung-hun and Hollywood actress Megan Fox.

The Ice Bucket Challenge asks people to make a recording of themselves getting drenched with ice water, post it online and nominate others to do the same within 24 hours or donate $100 to ALS research.

By Lee Hyun-jeong (rene@heraldcorp.com)