Severance Hospital has officially launched the Min Yoon Gi Treatment Center, established with a ₩5 billion donation from BTS’s SUGA in June of last year.
On September 30 (KST), the hospital announced that the new facility is located on the first floor of the Jejungwon Building in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The center is led by Professor Chun Geun Ah, a child psychiatrist, and is equipped with specialized rooms for language and behavioral therapy, as well as spaces for music and group therapy, complete with soundproofing and professional acoustic systems. The waiting area for caregivers features artwork by autistic artist Lee Gyu Jae.
SUGA’s involvement extends beyond financial support. In November, he personally reached out to Professor Chun to volunteer his musical talent. Over several months, he joined therapy sessions, playing guitar for children with autism spectrum disorder. From this collaboration, SUGA and Professor Chun developed MIND (Music · Interaction · Network · Diversity), a therapy program that integrates music into treatment to help children build social and communication skills.
MIND has shown effectiveness even for children with limited speech or lower cognitive abilities. By choosing their own instruments and participating in group ensembles, children learn self-expression and turn-taking in a supportive environment.
The center also provides multidisciplinary care, bringing together child psychiatrists, music therapists, speech-language pathologists, behavioral therapists, and clinical psychologists to deliver comprehensive, personalized treatment. Severance Hospital shared encouraging outcomes:
“Children A and B showed minimal engagement during traditional speech therapy. But during SUGA’s volunteer sessions, they eagerly chose instruments and maintained rhythm, actively participating with clear enthusiasm.”
Professor Chun emphasized the program’s impact:
“At the Min Yoon Gi Treatment Center, music is not only a teaching tool but also a means to improve therapeutic outcomes and foster social skills. Watching children grow toward independence inspires hope for changing societal views on developmental disabilities.”
Looking ahead, the center will host special activities later this year. In November, around 10 children and adolescents with autism will take part in a two-day program, followed by a December concert at the Yonsei University Grand Auditorium to showcase their progress through MIND.
