BTS’s Suga’s ‘5 Billion Won Donation’ Inspires ARMY to Join, Raising 200 Million Won in One Day

BTS member Suga (real name Min Yoongi) has inspired his fanbase, ARMY, to join his philanthropic efforts after donating 5 billion won to establish the ‘Min Yoongi Treatment Center’ for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Severance Hospital announced on June 24th that donations to the Min Yoongi Treatment Center had surpassed 200 million won, just one day after Suga’s donation was revealed. Severance Hospital held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Min Yoongi Treatment Center on June 23rd at the hospital’s Jejungwan building. The Min Yoongi Treatment Center will support the mental health of children and adolescents through speech, psychological, and behavioral therapies, and will operate a variety of programs linking clinical practice and research.

Suga began developing the ‘MIND’ program last November, a social skills group program incorporating musical content, in collaboration with Dr. Cheon Geun-ah, a leading authority in pediatric psychiatry at Severance Hospital. He reportedly met directly with children with autism spectrum disorder and participated in the program’s development.

Suga stated, “Through the seven months of preparation and volunteer work with Professor Cheon Geun-ah, I deeply felt that music could be a precious channel for expressing one’s heart and communicating with the world. It was a great gratitude and happiness to be able to participate in the treatment process of children with autism spectrum disorder, and I will continue to do my best to help more children become members of our society.” Suga’s positive influence has led to a surge in donation inquiries from ARMY and the general public. In response, Yonsei Medical Center has added a ‘Min Yoongi Treatment Center’ item to the permanent donation section of its official website. The Min Yoongi Treatment Center is scheduled for completion in September.

Written by Heo Ji Hyeong

Translated by Lee So Yun