In a remarkable act of philanthropy, BTS’s SUGA has made history by donating ₩5 billion KRW (approximately $3.64 million USD) to Severance Hospital in Seoul—the single largest donation the institution has ever received. This landmark contribution will fund the creation of the Min Yoongi Treatment Center. It will be a specialized facility. This facility is dedicated to providing holistic care and support for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The Min Yoongi Treatment Center is set to open in September 2025 in the Seodaemun district. It will offer tailored treatment programs focused on enhancing social independence. Services will include speech, psychological, and behavioral therapies, alongside research initiatives and educational resources for families. Most notably, the center will launch the MIND program—a pioneering initiative co-developed by SUGA himself.

MIND stands for Music, Interaction, Network, and Diversity. It integrates music-based social skills training. This creates emotionally enriching and interactive experiences for children with ASD. The program encourages expression through music, songwriting, and group activities, fostering connection while celebrating neurodiversity. Between March and June 2025, SUGA personally participated in its development. He dedicated weekends to teaching music and engaging with children at Severance. Observing the positive impact firsthand, he witnessed children’s emotional articulation, turn-taking, and verbal communication improve dramatically through musical interaction.

I would like to sincerely thank SUGA for his financial support. He has donated his talent and volunteered for the past few months. I was very impressed with his consistently sincere and cerebral attitude. The MIND program and the Min Yoongi Treatment Center aim to support children with autism spectrum disorder. We want them to grow into independent individuals. We aim to make them contributing members of society through music. We also want to get rid of existing prejudices and improve awareness.

— Cheon Geun Ah

SUGA’s involvement began in earnest in November 2024. He met Professor Cheon Geun Ah of Severance Hospital’s Pediatric Psychiatry Department. Their discussions revealed a pressing need for personalized treatment approaches for children with ASD. These approaches are not adequately supported under standard systems. SUGA was motivated to fill this gap. His donation now ensures access to customized care. It also supports innovative programming that had long been out of reach for many families.

The donation not only benefits Severance Children’s Hospital but also marks a historic moment for Yonsei University’s entire medical system. This is because both institutions are affiliated. During a commemorative ceremony held at Severance, the hospital expressed profound gratitude for SUGA’s vision and generosity.

In the past seven months of preparing this program and volunteering with Professor Cheon, I truly realized something important. Music can effectively express one’s feelings. It also helps us communicate with the world. Being involved in treating children with autism spectrum disorder is a big blessing for me. It is also a source of happiness. I will continue to support efforts that will help more children integrate into society.

— SUGA

This isn’t the first time SUGA has used his platform and resources to support mental health and social causes. Over the years, he has consistently demonstrated a deep empathy for marginalized communities:

  • On his 25th birthday, SUGA donated beef to 39 orphanages in the name of “ARMY”, BTS’ fanbase. He was fulfilling a promise he made in 2014. He had promised to buy his fans meat should he find success as a musical artist.
  • The following year, 2015, for his 26th birthday, he donated ₩100 million (US$85,811) to the Korea Pediatric Cancer Foundation. He also donated 329 BT21 Shooky dolls.
  • In February 2020, SUGA donated ₩100 million (US$84,727) to the Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association. He aimed to help prevention and relief efforts in his hometown of Daegu. Daegu was one of the cities most affected by the coronavirus outbreak in South Korea at the time.
  • In 2021, he donated ₩100 million KRW to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association. The donation supported victims of wildfires in Gangwon and Gyeongbuk provinces.
  • SUGA donated another ₩100 million (US$87,416) in March 2021, to Daegu’s Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital to support child cancer patients unable to access treatment due to financial difficulties
  • In 2022, he contributed another ₩100 million KRW to aid children battling cancer at Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital.
  • On March 9, 2022, SUGA celebrated his 29th birthday in a meaningful way. He donated ₩100 million (US$87,416) to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association. This donation was made to help victims of the extensive wildfires along the country’s eastern coastal area.
  • On March 9, 2023, he donated ₩100 million (US$87,416) to the Korean Save the Children, for the purchase of blankets, mattresses, and school supplies for children in southern Turkey and northern Syria
  • In March 2025, SUGA donated ₩100 million (US$87,416) to the Korean Red Cross. This was for wildfire relief efforts due to damages in the Ulsan, Gyeongbuk, and Gyeongnam regions.

SUGA has often spoken about his personal interest in mental health, especially concerning youth and adolescent depression. His latest endeavor underscores his belief in the healing power of music and his commitment to creating lasting, systemic change.

With the Min Yoongi Treatment Center set to open in just a few months, and the MIND program already showing promising results, SUGA’s vision is poised to touch countless lives, redefining what inclusive, compassionate care can look like

BTS’s SUGA Establishes Groundbreaking Autism Treatment Center with Historic ₩5 Billion Donation, “I will continue to support efforts that will help more children integrate into society”

_SUGA

“Yoongi really said music and kindness go hand in hand. 🥺💜 His donation to help kids with ASD is just another reason we love him. You make the world a better place, one act of kindness at a time”

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