BTS’ SUGA Teams Up With Severance Hospital To Support Children With Autism
“It was a great joy and gratitude to be part of the treatment process for children with autism spectrum disorders,” says the South Korean rapper in a statement after participating in sessions last March.
SUGA: Courtesy of Big Hit Music
SUGA: Courtesy of Big Hit Music
Shortly after all BTS members have completed their mandatory military service, SUGA has donated KRW 5 Billion (roughly PHP 209 Million) to Severance Hospital, and establish a treatment center for children and adolescents with autism.
Named after his real name, the Min Yoon-gi Center will be located on the Jejungwon Hall’s first floor of the hospital’s main building. Construction is set to be completed this September.
The new facility will be centered around music-based programs developed with the BTS member. These programs will help children with autism improve their social skills, language, and emotional expression. The center will also offer psychological and behavioral therapies for children with developmental disorders, alongside clinical research and academic publication initiatives.
The South Korean rapper has long been an advocate for youth mental health awareness. Last November, he was introduced to Cheon Keun-ah, a child and adolescent psychiatry professor at the hospital. This meeting sparked a conversation about opening a treatment center specifically for children with autism in need.
Together, they developed the MIND program, which stands for Music, Interaction, Network, and Diversity. It is a music-based therapy initiative that includes singing, songwriting, playing instruments, and other creative expression activities.
SUGA personally participated in sessions from March to June this year, engaging directly with children and fostering meaningful social interactions. In a statement, he expressed his desire to help others through music, saying, “I realized that music can be a channel for expressing feelings and connecting with the world. I want to support these children so they can be part of our society.”
He was officially discharged from his military service on June 21. BTS is now gearing up for their highly anticipated comeback, possibly in March of next year.