BTS member SUGA, also known as Min Yoongi, is drawing widespread praise—not for his chart-topping hits, but for his quiet, powerful dedication to children with autism. Behind the scenes, the globally renowned artist has been working with unshakable sincerity to bring to life a dream: a treatment center for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in South Korea.
At the heart of this project is a 5 billion KRW (approximately 3.6 million USD) donation made by SUGA to Severance Hospital, where he partnered with child psychiatrist Professor Chun Geun Ah. But his contribution went far beyond finances.
In a heartfelt video released by Severance Hospital on June 25, Professor Chun revealed how SUGA first reached out to her in November last year, expressing a strong desire to use his music to help children. “He didn’t want to just donate,” she said. “He wanted to be involved, to give his time, his effort, his talent.”
And that he did. Despite his commitments as a social service worker (his alternative to mandatory military service), SUGA dedicated weekends to volunteer at the hospital. The children didn’t see him as a celebrity—they knew him simply as their “music teacher.”
“He always arrived early, guitar in hand, ready to rehearse and consult with therapists,” Professor Chun recalled. “He gave his full self. Watching him truly connect with the kids was humbling. He radiated happiness, and everyone in the room felt it.”
The upcoming facility—named the Min Yoon Gi Treatment Center—is the result of his hands-on involvement. One of its core features is the MIND Program (Music, Interaction, Network, Diversity), a music-based therapeutic initiative inspired by SUGA himself. This program helps children with ASD express emotions and develop social skills through creative, collaborative musical activities.
The center is scheduled for completion in September and will also serve as a hub for clinical research, academic studies, and art-focused programs that help youth with disabilities explore future careers.
This isn’t a one-off gesture. Professor Chun emphasized that SUGA is committed for the long term. “He’s not doing this for publicity,” she said. “He’s deeply invested in the future of these children.”
In their first conversation, SUGA posed a haunting question: “Why is suicide the leading cause of death among Korean teenagers?” That question sparked everything. “He told me he couldn’t turn away from that reality,” Chun recalled. “That’s when I saw how sincere he truly is.”
Through his music and his presence, SUGA is building more than just a center—he’s creating a space of healing, inclusion, and hope. The Min Yoon Gi Treatment Center will stand as a testament to the power of empathy and action, led by an artist who refuses to stay silent in the face of suffering.
