BTS's Suga Donates 5 Billion Won to Establish Autism Treatment Center

Suga (민윤기), a member of BTS (방탄소년단), has made a significant contribution of 5 billion won to establish a specialized treatment center for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. The groundbreaking ceremony for the 'Min Yoongi Treatment Center' was held on June 23 at Severance Hospital, marking a project that Suga has thoughtfully prepared and actively participated in over time.

Alongside his music career, Suga has shown a deep interest in youth mental health, particularly concerning depression and autism spectrum disorder. His journey began last November when he connected with Professor Cheon Geun-ah from the pediatric psychiatry department at Severance Hospital. Professor Cheon is a leading expert in the field and has extensive experience working with numerous patients and families.

Their initial meeting evolved into serious discussions, where Suga recognized that autism spectrum disorder requires long-term, tailored support rather than just short-term treatment to create meaningful change. This understanding ultimately led to his generous donation.

According to Severance Hospital, this donation is the largest ever made by an artist to Yonsei Medical Center. The 'Min Yoongi Treatment Center' will provide integrated therapies, including language, psychological, and behavioral treatments, and will operate as an innovative model encompassing both clinical practice and research.

Suga's involvement goes beyond mere financial support; he has actively participated in the development of programs. Together with Professor Cheon, he created a social skills training program called 'MIND,' which incorporates music. From March to June, Suga met with children on weekends to play guitar and share emotions, refining the program.

'MIND' focuses on four core values: ▲Music (sensory experiences through music), ▲Interaction (social interaction), ▲Network (building relationships within the community), and ▲Diversity (respecting individual differences). Through music, children learned to keep rhythm, express emotions through lyrics, and collaborate with others. Many children, who previously struggled to express themselves verbally, began to show significant improvements in emotional expression and social responses. For instance, a 10-year-old boy and a 12-year-old boy, who were previously unresponsive during language therapy, actively chose instruments and played along with the rhythm, while an 18-year-old boy who had difficulty showing emotions began to express himself through facial expressions and actions during group sessions.

Suga has approached the world of these children through his unique language of music, gaining the belief that he can create real change beyond simple charity. This conviction has led to the establishment of the 'Min Yoongi Treatment Center.' In the future, the center plans to enhance the MIND program and develop long-term, music-based projects to support the social independence of children with autism. Additionally, there are plans to train experts in various fields to ensure the program's professionalism and sustainability.

Suga has transformed from an artist who moves the world with music to a 'change agent' who heals hearts through music. His donation of 5 billion won represents more than just a monetary contribution; it embodies the true positive influence created by an artist's philosophy and actions.