South Korean actor Lee Min-ho has a strong fan base in China. [Photo/China Daily]

On Aug 6, news broke that South Korean actor Lee Min-ho's Chinese fans had donated food and water in his name to earthquake victims in Yunnan province.

"I'm thankful and grateful that my fans help the earthquake victims with such love and kindness. I'm so proud of you," Lee wrote on micro blog Sina Weibo.

Shortly after the earthquake hit on Aug 3, one of Lee's self-organized fan groups, Lee Min-ho Snow Fan Support Station, decided to donate 20,000 yuan ($3,248) to buy disaster relief materials for people in the earthquake-hit area.

The money, raised by Lee's fans, was originally to support fan activities associated with the star's new movie, but upon hearing news of the disaster, the group decided it would be more meaningful to spend the money on helping earthquake victims, so as to "make a bridge of friendship out of love between different countries and areas", according to posts on the group's Sina Weibo.

The group organizers got in touch with a police station near the earthquake-hit area to help them purchase and distribute disaster relief materials, and a local fan volunteered to supervise the purchase and donation.

A total of 300 boxes of instant noodles and 600 boxes of bottled mineral water were bought and transported to Ludian county in Zhaotong city.