BTS member Suga has made history with a record-breaking donation to Severance Hospital in Seoul, funding the establishment of the Min Yoongi Treatment Centre, dedicated to supporting children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).According to reports on koreaboo, Suga shelled out KWR 5 billion (approximately USD 3.64 million), marking the largest single contribution ever made by a K-pop idol to a medical institution. The donation will help the new facility offer a range of tailored treatments, including speech, psychological, and behavioural therapy. It will also serve as a research hub, aiming to promote the social independence of individuals with ASD.The project is a collaboration between Suga and Professor Cheon Geun Ah from the hospital’s Pediatric Psychiatry Department, with whom he has been working since November 2024.In a heartfelt statement reported by koreaboo, Suga shared his motivation behind the donation, “During the past seven months of preparing this program and volunteering with Professor Cheon, I genuinely felt that music can be a valuable method for expressing one’s feelings and communicating with the world. Being part of the treatment process for children with autism spectrum disorder has been a big blessing and source of happiness for me. I will continue to support efforts that will help more children integrate into society.”MIND Program: Music at the Heart of TherapyAt the core of the new centre will be the MIND Program which is short for Music, Interaction, Network, and Diversity, which Suga helped co-develop. This innovative therapy model uses music to enhance communication, emotional expression, and social interaction in children with ASD. Participants will engage in singing, instrument-playing, and music-based writing exercises to build confidence and interpersonal skills while celebrating their individuality.Suga has been hands-on in the development of the program. Between March and June this year, he volunteered his weekends to work directly with children, even teaching them how to play instruments. The sessions, he said, revealed how powerfully music can unlock emotional and social growth.The treatment centre is scheduled for completion in September 2025, and will significantly expand the hospital’s existing pediatric mental health services.
