BTS SUGA Funds Therapy Center for Children with ASD

BTS member SUGA, whose real name is Min Yoongi, has donated ₩5 billion (around P210 million) to fund a new therapy center for children and teens with autism. The Min Yoon Gi Treatment Center will be located at Severance Hospital in Seoul and is expected to open in September 2025.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the hospital’s Jejung Hall on June 23, 2025. The center aims to support children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through language, psychological, and behavioral therapies. It will also run research-driven programs to improve long-term care and outcomes for individuals with ASD.

According to a news report, SUGA was involved in planning the center’s programs alongside Professor Chun Geun-ah, the Head of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Since late last year, the two have worked together to shape a therapy model that includes music as a key tool for development. 

From March to June, while completing his mandatory military service, SUGA volunteered at the hospital on weekends. He spent time with children, played guitar, and helped them engage with rhythm and sound.

One major outcome of this collaboration is the MIND program, which stands for Music, Interaction, Network, and Diversity. It uses music-based activities like singing, instrument play, and lyric writing to help children improve emotional expression and social interaction. The program is already in use and is showing positive early results, especially among children who have not responded well to conventional therapy.

“Through preparing the program and volunteering with Professor Cheon Geun-ah over the past seven months, I deeply felt that music can be a precious channel for expressing one’s heart and communicating with the world. Being able to participate in the treatment process for children with ASD was a great source of gratification and happiness for me, and I will continue to add my strength so that more children can join as members of our society,” SUGA shared in an interview.

According to Severance Hospital, SUGA’s donation will help fund the center’s operations and sustain its programs over the next 10 years.

This project adds to SUGA’s ongoing support for mental health causes. The hospital noted that even during his time with BTS, he showed interest in youth mental health, depression, and emotional wellness. His latest initiative builds on that commitment with direct involvement.

SUGA was officially discharged from military service on June 21. Just two days later, he appeared at the ceremony to introduce the facility.

Click here to learn the signs and symptoms of autism in children.