BTS member Suga donated $3.6 million or ₱204 million to help build a dedicated care facility for individuals with autism. Called the Min Yoon-gi Center, it is located at the Severance Hospital in Seoul, South Korea.
According to a report by Korea JoongAng Daily, the center will offer language, psychiatric, and behavioral support for young individuals with autism. It will also provide therapy programs based on clinical research.
Severance Hospital highlighted Suga's commitment to the cause, especially in using music to help prevent depression. Suga joined weekend music therapy sessions from March to June during his military service leave to help develop the program.
The facility is slated for completion in September.
Suga started collaborating with Professor Cheon Keun-ah of Severance Hospital's Department of Psychiatry in November 2024.
"While I was preparing the program with Prof. Cheon Keun-ah and doing volunteer work, I learned how music can become a pathway for communication and self-expression," Suga stated in a press release.
"It has been such a pleasure and privilege to join the journey of supporting autistic children," he added.
Suga completed his mandatory military service on June 21, the final BTS member to be discharged.
The K-Pop star served as a social service agent in the military.
After being discharged, Suga penned a letter for the BTS ARMY on Weverse.
"It’s been about two years. How have you all been. It’s been a long time since I was called off today. It’s a day I’ve been waiting for and it’s been a long time, so I had a lot of thoughts on how to say hello," he wrote as translated in English as per report by Billboard.
"First of all, I wanted to say thank you to the fans who have been waiting for us. I really missed you," he added. "Dear ARMY, thank you for your patience and thank you very much."
He also apologized for the 2024 incident in which his license was suspended and he was fined after driving an electric scooter while intoxicated. "I’m sorry for making you disappointed and worried about what happened last year. Above all, it was so upsetting that it hurt the fans’ hearts. I felt sorry for the members who must have felt heavy in their seats because of me," he stated.
Suga concluded his post, saying: "In the future, we will try our best to repay the love you have given us. I love you. Everyone, I’ll keep you posted from time to time."