SUGA's donation leads to the opening of the Min Yoongi Therapy Center in Korea, focusing on autism therapy through music and art.

The 'Min Yoongi Therapy Center' established based on SUGA of BTS's donation opened today (30th) on the first floor of the Chejung building at Severance Hospital in Korea. Attending the opening ceremony were Yonsei University President Yoon Dong-seop, Severance Hospital President Lee Kang-yong, and Professor Jeong Gun-na, who serves as the director of the Min Yoongi Therapy Center. External attendees included Kim Yong-jik, president of the Korean Association for Autism. The Min Yoongi Therapy Center was established based on SUGA's donation of 5 billion won (about 5 million USD) to Severance Hospital. The center is equipped with therapy rooms for language and behavioral therapy, as well as a music and social group therapy room with soundproofing and acoustic facilities. The waiting area for parents will display works by Lee Gyu-jae, an artist known for wooden pieces related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Severance Hospital plans to expand the facility to respond to the specialization of center operation programs, sustainable long-term development, and increasing demand. Since the second half of last year to the first half of this year, SUGA has engaged in music volunteer activities with children with autism spectrum disorder, including guitar performances, alongside Professor Jeong Gun-na. Based on this, they jointly developed the 'MIND' program, which incorporates music into social group therapy, creating the world's first art-integrated therapy and independence system at a university hospital. The MIND program is effective for children with low cognitive abilities or those who do not respond to language, as it uses music as a non-verbal means of therapy. It encourages self-expression by allowing children to choose their desired instruments and supports social activities through ensemble playing. Additionally, integrated therapy by specialists will be conducted. A specialized team consisting of child psychiatrists, music therapists, speech therapists, behavioral therapists, and clinical psychologists will provide tailored therapy through case-centered discussions. Research conducted in Norway and other countries has reported that music-based therapy for autism spectrum disorder promotes self-expression and the development of social interaction skills. In fact, during SUGA's volunteer activities, children A and B, who had previously shown little response during language therapy, actively chose instruments and played along with the rhythm. Child C, who played the saxophone and had minimal verbal and emotional expression, showed emotions through facial expressions during collaborative processes with other children. An event for children who participated in the MIND program is planned for the end of this year. First, in November, 'Camp on the Spectrum' will be held, where about 10 children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder will participate in band performance practice, parent education, and family recreation over a two-day period, spending time enhancing social skills with medical staff and volunteers. Following that, in December, a performance will be prepared at Yonsei University Auditorium where children can showcase their practiced performances to family and the general public. The band practice and stage performance signify the Min Yoongi Therapy Center's role in providing a foundation for the independence and social growth of children with autism spectrum disorder beyond therapy. Director Jeong Gun-na of the Min Yoongi Therapy Center stated that the autism therapy program integrating music, language, behavior, and social training will be publicly launched for the first time in the world, and aims to continuously develop the program by incorporating various artistic activities such as art and physical education, as well as nurturing specialists like speech therapists and behavioral therapists. Based on this, partnerships will be established with overseas autism therapy institutions to promote the globalization of the program, including clinical research and academic presentations, as well as the publication of program manuals. Director Jeong Gun-na expressed, 'At the Min Yoongi Therapy Center, we aim to enhance therapeutic effects while teaching children music and educating them in social skills, and we hope that the general public's perception of children with autism spectrum disorder striving for independence in society will greatly improve.'