BTS' SUGA donates 5 billion won to launch autism treatment center at Severance Hospital

SUGA of BTS has taken a step to support children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in South Korea through a major philanthropic gesture.

On June 23, 2025, South Korea's Severance Hospital confirmed that the artist has donated 5 billion won, which is approximately USD 3.6 million, to establish an autism treatment facility.

The new "Min Yoon-gi Treatment Center" will serve children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). According to reports, it will offer multidisciplinary care focused on treatment, social integration, and more.

SUGA's donation is reportedly the largest ever made by an artist to the Yonsei University Health System, which oversees Severance Hospital. The center's construction began with a ceremony on the first floor of the hospital's Jejungwon Hall. It is officially scheduled to be completed by September 2025.

SUGA is best known as a rapper, producer, and songwriter in the globally beloved K-pop group BTS. He has previously shown interest in mental health issues. His previous donations, public discussions, and music have addressed depression, suicide prevention, and mental well-being.

The origins of the new project trace back to November 2024, when SUGA first met Professor Cheon Keun-ah. He is a child psychiatry expert at Severance Hospital. Through multiple discussions, he learned of the challenges faced by children with ASD in receiving long-term and individualized therapy.

Eventually, he agreed to fund a new treatment facility for autism care.

Official statement by BTS' SUGA regarding his donation

The singer reflected on the past seven months of work on the project, stating:

"Through the program preparation and volunteer activities with Prof. Cheon 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 of children with autism spectrum disorder itself was a great gratitude and happiness. I will continue to lend my strength so that more children can be part of our society."

Professor Cheon stated that SUGA's contribution went beyond financial support. He mentioned:

"I was deeply impressed by Suga's consistent sincerity and intellectual attitude. The ultimate goal of the Min Yoon-gi Treatment Center and the MIND program is to help children with autism spectrum disorder grow into independent beings and healthy members of society through the medium of music, and to eliminate prejudice and improve awareness about patients with autism spectrum disorder."

On the other hand, the hospital mentioned:

"As the program progressed, the children's emotional and verbal expressions noticeably increased, and their social skills were trained in the process of cooperating with or waiting for other children."

The facility will also conduct clinical research to evaluate the newly proposed program's effectiveness. It is being reported that authorities are also planning for academic publications and training resources. Regular programs will expand after the center's official opening in September 2025.

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