BTS’ Suga has joined hands with Severance Hospital to establish a specialised treatment center aimed at supporting both the medical care and social independence of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
On June 23rd, Severance Hospital officially announced the initiative and held a groundbreaking ceremony for the ‘Min Yoon-gi Treatment Centre’. Named after Suga’s birth name, the centre is located at the hospital’s Seodaemun district in Seoul. Suga generously donated 5 billion won (approximately $3,616,000) towards the development of this facility. These funds will be utilised to provide customised treatments, conduct dedicated research, and implement programs focused on social independence of ASD individuals.
As reported by Koreaboo, Suga’s 5 billion KRW donation stands as the largest individual contribution ever made by a K-pop artist to a medical institution. The donation will enable the new center to offer a variety of personalized treatments for individuals with ASD, including therapies focussed on speech, psychology, and behaviour. Beyond treatment, the centre will also serve as a dedicated research hub, working to enhance mental health care for children and adolescents.
In November 2024, Suga met with Professor Chun Geun Ah, Head of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and recognised the need for a specialised centre offering long-term support, over 10 years, for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, to help improve symptom outcomes. Following the meeting, he conveyed his intention to donate toward the project.
The MIND Program – Miracles of Music
Suga also co-developed the MIND Program, a unique therapeutic approach that integrates music to improve communication and social interaction among participants.
Between late last year and early this year, Suga collaborated with Professor Chun Geun Ah to design the program, which stands for Music, Interaction, Network, and Diversity. The MIND Program aims to enhance sensory experiences and interpersonal interaction through music-based social skills training. It encourages participants to connect with others and build relationships while respecting individual differences. As part of the program, children will engage in activities such as playing instruments, singing, and expressing their emotions and thoughts through music and writing.
K-media outlet My Daily reports the heartfelt statements of Professor Chun Geun-ah and Suga about the project collaboration, “Beyond financial support, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the sincere talent donation and volunteer work that Suga has shown over the past several months. I have been deeply impressed by Suga’s consistent sincerity and intellectual attitude.” He continued, “The ultimate goal of the Min Yoongi Treatment Center and the MIND program is to help children with autism spectrum disorder grow into independent beings and healthy members of society through the medium of music, and to eliminate prejudice against patients with autism spectrum disorder and improve awareness of disabilities through this.” says Professor Chun.
Commenting on his experience, Suga also remarked, “Through the program preparations and volunteer work with Professor Chun Geun-ah over the past seven months, I have deeply felt that music can be a valuable channel for expressing emotions and communicating with the world. I am very grateful and happy that I was able to participate in the treatment process of children with autism spectrum disorder, and I will continue to support more children so that they can become members of our society.”
Suga has taken an active role in developing the program. From March to June this year, he dedicated his weekends volunteering to work directly with children, including teaching them how to play musical instruments.
The treatment center is set to be completed by September 2025 and is expected to significantly enhance the hospital’s current pediatric mental health services.
Fans are very excited and elated about the news, since this was also BTS’ Suga’s first public appearance after the military service. Many social media posts are applauding the kind initiative and gesture.
“Someone hold me, I can’t believe my eyes, our angel came home. Min Yoongi’s first public activity after enlistment. Oh Yoongi, we are so beyond proud of you!”
Someone hold me I can't believe my eyes our angel came home. Min Yoongi's first public activity after enlistment. Oh Yoongi we are so beyond proud of you! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
— AGUST D CHARTS (@DataAgustD) June 23, 2025
SUGA OUR ANGEL
SUGA WE ARE PROUD OF YOU #SUGA #AgustD #BTSSUGA #슈가 pic.twitter.com/5lRiUqHnCJ
“Yoongi making music to help and comfort people, studying psychology to be able to help people, volunteering his time to help autistic children through teaching music, he is the most kind hearted, precious soul, he deserves the whole world!!
SUGA OUR ANGEL
SUGA WE ARE PROUD OF YOU”
YG making music to help and comfort people, studying psychology to be able to help people, volunteering his time to help autistic children through teaching music, he is the most kind hearted, precious soul, he deserves the whole world!!
— 🐱🥢vicminb in love with Yoongi forever🥢🐱 (@vickib0709) June 23, 2025
SUGA OUR ANGEL
SUGA WE ARE PROUD OF YOU pic.twitter.com/a1R5t3JMNK
“5 BILLION Won Donation And Volunteering In It Is Such An Amazing Thing One Can Do let Alone. A World ICON….. Oh Yoongi, The Man You Are. A Precious Angel
I’m So SO Proud Of You Yoongi”
5 BILLION Won Donation And Volunteering In It Is Such An Amazing Thing One Can Do Let Alone A World ICON Groups Member.. Oh Yoongi The Man You Are 🥹 A Precious Angel
— 𝙎𝙪𝙜𝙖'𝙨𝙆𝙏⁷ ✨🎐⟭⟬⟬⟭🇵🇰 𝓑𝓽𝓼 𝓨𝓮𝓪𝓻 🎉 (@Suga_sKT) June 23, 2025
I'm So SO Proud Of You Yoongi 💜 pic.twitter.com/Ja6sU8c7aC