BTS' Suga's students didn't know he was a star: ‘He always arrived early, read my 500-page textbook, wasn't just a donor,' says hospital's professor

Indian Express

2 days ago

BTS' Suga wasn't just a donor for Severance Hospital. Unlike the other six BTS members, the rapper (Min Yoongi) served in the public sector during his military duty due to an old shoulder injury. In a recent YouTube video, Professor Cheon Keun Ah from the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry shared how Suga didn't just show up to tick a box or fix his DUI image. He came in prepared, had read her 500-page research paper, asked sharp, professional-level questions, and brought real intent to be involved. His sincerity didn't just impress, it convinced the whole team to create MIND: Music, Interaction, Network, Diversity.
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According to the professor, before putting any financial donation on the table, Suga first wanted to see if music could actually change the lives of the autistic kids he was hoping to help. And for that, he offered his musical talent first. 'The sessions use music to help children build social and emotional skills through instruments, singing, and writing,' she said. Suga showed up every single weekend —ten sessions, 90 minutes each. 'He never missed a session, showed up before everyone else to practice, he tried hard to meet the kids at their level. His joy was visible, and we were all moved by his sincerity,' Cheon added. 'He wasn't a guest. He was one of us.' None of the children had a clue who he really was, to them, he was just a kind man who played music and made them laugh, she said. 'Thanks to Suga, the children were able to experience the harmony of words and music.' The centre in development is already being seen as a game-changer for autism treatment in Korea. Cheon said it had been her dream project for years, but it only became real when the BTS member got involved. 'His joy was visible,' she repeated. 'He truly cared.'
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The professor recalled how the Daechwita crooner first approached her in November 2024 — about three months after his DUI, which caused a dent in his career and put him under global scrutiny. 'He came to meet me and showed a deep interest in child and adolescent mental health and autism,' she said, adding, 'He had read large portions of a 500-page textbook I wrote, and his questions were sharp and insightful.' He didn't want his name slapped on a plaque. He wanted to actually help. That's how the therapy program took shape. Before returning to his music career, the rapper told her he wanted to stay involved for as long as he could. Suga later donated a staggering ₩5 billion (around $3.6 million) to establish the Min Yoongi Treatment Centre, a special facility set to open this September.
As soon as news of Suga broke in public, BTS fans across the globe stepped in to help. Within just a few hours, ARMY raised more than ₩200 million (around $145,000) to support the facility. The numbers are still growing, and hospital staff are overwhelmed with the love and support they are garnering from around the globe. So many donations poured in that the hospital's parent institution, Yonsei University Health System, added a permanent donation button for the Min Yoongi Centre on their website. Suga earlier said that he realised how powerful music can be when used the right way, not just to entertain, but to heal. 'It made me happy to be part of the treatment process for children with autism,' he said. 'I want to keep working so that more kids can live as full members of society.'