Every year seems like it was a blur, and this year was no different. When we see the year in retrospect, the year was actually very long and ridden with events - and it often leaves us feeling like we are now somehow different from the beginning of the year. The growth in character that we experience often stems from our positive interactions with other people - and by that definition, it was a year of immense growth for Solbi.

She was once a young and vibrant idol star, but she has matured into someone who is always looking out for the benefit of others. She is constantly reaching out to single moms, lonely elders who live alone, and even animal shelters so that she can give what she can give for the benefit of others.

Solbi's latest goodwill visitation was at Sky Dream School, a school for North Korean teens who escaped to Korea. She said after her visit that she wanted to visit rather than donate so that she can interact with the young children.

As she stood before some sixty teenagers, Solbi's topic for her speech was "thankfulness". Her idea of "thankfulness" stemmed from the Christian ideology that nothing that we have or experience is of us but is of God and is of others. Many sufferings come from greed and desire, but true thankfulness rids us of that hardship and allows us to live in happiness.

Solbi spoke on the subject for about 20 minutes, and then hung out with the children to speak to them and take pictures with them.

On her frequent community service, Solbi said, "The speech was something that I promised, so I was simply keeping a promise. I don't really know too much about escaping North Korea or the problems therein, so I wanted to be here in person to experience the kids and their thoughts as well."

"I had a lot to say about many things, but I spoke about thankfulness because it is something that I've gained through personal experience. I felt that it was best to speak on something that I can speak from my heart. I've experienced my share of hardships, but I was able to overcome them by an attitude of thankfulness. I'm sure they all have their own stories and hardships, and I truly believe that the only way to overcome that kind of besieged mindset is to be thankful. Thankfulness is the force that opens closed doors. I'm sure not all of the students here understand or agree with what I'm saying, but I'm hoping that at the very least they will remember that I said."

"I don't think all the things that I enjoy in life are mine. The things that I experience, possess, and look forward to are all from God and from other people. That's why I share everything, and in the sharing I learn much more than I would by not doing so."

When asked about the accusations that she is doing charity work for good publicity, she replied, "I'm sure that such accusations are there, but that doesn't mean that I should just stop and pout. I need to not care about what they say, because I have more people around me who are with me in helping others. I'm just being the outlet for their goodwill."

"I'm actually very embarrassed by the publicity. At first, I didn't think I should allow reporters or do interviews at all. However, what I realized is that whether or not the work I do becomes public, the important thing was whether I was going to continue to do it the same way after the publicity. The answer from my peers and I were a resounding 'yes', so I decided to go at it even harder. What I want and expect is that the publicity will invite even more people that want to help the causes that I stand for. It's important to be consistent in the service."

Solbi was not the only one at Sky Dream School. Popular hair salon SamChic's owner Jun Sik and his employees personally cut everyone's hair, while actor An Yong Jun visited the school to speak to the teenagers individually. Actress Kang Ye Won donated one of her hand-painted paintings, and other anonymous celebrities donated toward the needs of the students.

Sky Dream School's teacher Jung Daun said, "They perfectly timed their visit because it was after the students had their finals. It was great that the celebrities spoke to the teenagers and made them feel loved. It's unusual for any help to come to us apart from the holidays, but Solbi and her friends' generosity warmed our hearts."

"It will certainly become the impetus for the kids to go out and do good to others as well."

There are some 3800 students currently attending Sky Dream School. Their curriculum is made specifically for North Korean refugees, and the school has a dream of producing a future leader of the united Korea.