Suga (real name Min Yoon-gi, 32), a member of the group BTS, donated 5 billion won to Severance Hospital. This is to treat children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder characterized by difficulties in communication and emotional interaction, often resulting in repetitive behaviors or an unusual interest in specific topics.
Severance Hospital announced on the 23rd that it will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the 'Min Yoon-gi Treatment Center' on the first floor of the Jejungwon. The treatment center will be completed in September. Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder will be trained in social skills through music at this facility. Additionally, it plans to support language, psychological, and behavioral therapy for individuals with developmental disabilities and publish clinical research and academic papers.
Suga, who has been interested in adolescent depression, connected with Professor Cheon Geun-a of the Severance Hospital Department of Child Psychiatry last November. Through this process, he realized the need to establish a center for the long-term treatment of patients with autism spectrum disorder and expressed his intent to donate to the hospital.
Suga and Professor Cheon developed a program called 'MIND' for children experiencing autism spectrum disorder to enhance their social skills. The children play instruments, sing, write, and express their feelings and thoughts. Suga met with the children from March to June this year to harmonize together. As a result, the children have increased their emotional and verbal expression, and they were able to train their social skills through mutual cooperation.
Professor Cheon noted, 'The goal is for children with autism spectrum disorder to grow into healthy members of society.' Suga said, 'I felt that music becomes a pathway for expressing feelings and communicating with the world,' adding, 'I will support children to be part of our society.'