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| ▲ Suga of K-pop superband BTS (L) and Severance Hospital chief Keum Ki-Chang pose at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Min Yoongi Treatment Center on June 23, 2025, in Seoul. The singer donated 5 billion won (approximately US$3.6 million) for this autism treatment center. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, June 23 (Yonhap) -- Suga of BTS has donated 5 billion won (approximately US$3.6 million) to Severance Hospital to establish the "Min Yoongi Treatment Center" dedicated to the care and social independence of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.
Severance Hospital announced on Monday that a groundbreaking ceremony for the Min Yoongi Treatment Center was held on the first floor of the hospital's Jejung Building. The center is scheduled to be completed in September.
The Min Yoongi Treatment Center will offer services including language, psychological, and behavioral therapy to support the mental health of children and adolescents, along with a variety of clinical and research-integrated programs.
According to the hospital, “Despite his activities with BTS, Suga has consistently engaged in philanthropic efforts and shown sustained interest in mental health, psychological and behavioral issues, particularly adolescent depression. He has explored ways to help using his talents and capabilities as a musician.”
Suga met Professor Chun Geun-ah, a leading authority in child psychiatry at Severance Hospital, in November of last year. Through multiple discussions, he came to understand that individuals with autism spectrum disorder need customized, lifelong treatment rather than short-term interventions.
Recognizing the need for mid- to long-term treatment spanning over 10 years to bring about meaningful change in autism symptoms, Suga agreed on the importance of establishing a dedicated treatment center and decided to make the historic donation — the largest donation ever made by a celebrity to Yonsei University Health System.
From late last year to early this year, Suga and Professor Chun also discussed incorporating music into social skills training programs for children and adolescents with autism. This led to the development of a new group social skills training program called "MIND" (Music, Interaction, Network, Diversity).
The "MIND" program is designed to enhance sensory experiences and interaction through music, create opportunities for social bonding and communication, encourage natural relationship-building in group settings, and promote social integration by respecting individual diversity.
Participants in the program play instruments, sing, write lyrics, and express their emotions and thoughts through music and words.
Between March and June this year, Suga personally met with children with autism on weekends to participate in the development of the program. He played guitar and other instruments, helping children match rhythm and harmony, engage in interaction through music, and expand their emotional expression. He also taught some children how to play instruments.
Severance Hospital shared the program’s success, stating that "as the program progressed, the children's emotional and language expression clearly increased, and they developed social skills such as cooperating with peers and waiting their turn."
For instance, 10-year-old “O” and 12-year-old “L,” who had previously shown little engagement during language therapy, voluntarily chose instruments and played them in rhythm. Meanwhile, 18-year-old “K,” who rarely expressed emotions or spoke, began to show his feelings through facial expressions while collaborating with others in saxophone sessions.
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| ▲ Suga of K-pop superband BTS (4th from L), Severance Hospital chief Keum Ki-Chang (5th from L) and other senior staff of the hospital pose for photos at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Min Yoongi Treatment Center on June 23, 2025, in Seoul. The singer donated 5 billion won (approximately US$3.6 million) for this autism treatment center. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
The Min Yoongi Treatment Center plans to further develop the "MIND" program and establish a self-reliant music project model. After the center's completion in September, regular programs will be expanded and newly established.
Suga commented, “Through seven months of preparing this program and volunteering with Professor Chun, I’ve come to deeply feel that music can be a valuable channel to express emotions and communicate with the world. Just being able to take part in the treatment journey of children with autism spectrum disorder has been a source of immense gratitude and joy. I will continue to support these children so that more of them can become members of our society.”
Professor Chun said, “I was deeply moved by Suga’s consistent sincerity, intellectual engagement, and dedication. The ultimate goal of the Min Yoongi Treatment Center and the 'MIND' program is to help children with autism spectrum disorder grow into independent, healthy members of society through the medium of music, and to reduce stigma and improve public perception of autism.”
Suga has been fulfilling his mandatory military service as a social service agent in Seoul since September 2023 and was officially discharged on June 21.
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