On the morning of September 30, Severance Hospital inaugurated the Min Yoon-gi Treatment Center at the Lounge’s Concert Hall, marking a new beginning in the specialization of programs for children with special needs, long-term sustainable growth, and meeting increasing demands.
The opening ceremony was attended by the President of Yonsei University, the President of Yonsei University Health System, the President of Severance Hospital, the Director of Severance Children’s Hospital, and the Head of the Department of Psychiatry at Severance Hospital, as well as Professor Chun Geun-ah of the Department of Child Psychiatry, who is the director of the Min Yoon-gi Treatment Center, along with other visiting guests.
Notably, the main benefactor behind the establishment of the Center – SUGA – although not present in person at the event, sent a pre-recorded video to extend his congratulations. In the video, he expressed: "I’m truly happy that a dedicated space has been established for social therapy through music" and "In the future, when the children’s ward is newly built, this place will be reborn as an even broader and more advanced facility. Until then, I hope this space can serve as a source of hope and a starting point for showing the power of music".
As fans already know, the construction of the Min Yoongi Treatment Center began in June this year, made possible by SUGA’s donation of 5 billion won – the largest contribution ever made by an idol to the hospital. Beyond financial support, he also volunteered to teach music to children with autism spectrum disorder at the pediatric department and collaborated with Professor Chun to develop “MIND,” a social group program that integrates music into therapy.
SUGA’s sincerity and kindness have spread within the fan community, inspiring many other acts of kindness. At today’s opening ceremony, ARMYs also received words of thanks and praise from Professor Chun Geun-ah for donating up to 550 million won (about $400k) since SUGA’s donation was first reported.
Remarkably, in just 24 hours at that time, ARMYs had already raised around 200 million won. Since then, fans have continued to mobilize global contributions for the Min Yoongi Center’s charity fund.
Thanks to SUGA’s sponsorship and ARMY’s ongoing donations, the new Center has been fully equipped with language therapy and behavioral therapy rooms, as well as a soundproof music-social group therapy room, and a cozy waiting area. In addition, in-depth research and the implementation of the “MIND” program in practice have also received the funding needed to operate.
This is not the only time ARMY has joined hands with BTS members in charitable work. In fact, for the past 10 years, global ARMYs have consistently maintained donations to social organizations and carried out charitable projects in many countries under the name of the fandom or their idols.
When SUGA donated 100 million won to Hope Bridge to aid in ¢σνι∂-19 relief in кσяєα, global ARMYs also pitched in with about 400 million won. Most strikingly, ARMY once ѕнσ¢кed the world by donating $1 million to the Black Lives Matter movement just one day after BTS made a donation of the same amount.
The charitable projects carried out by BTS and ARMY worldwide are countless. Their goodwill has made a significant contribution to building a better world!
Social media is now flooded with proud reactions about what the fandom and SUGA have accomplished together:
- Wow like idol like fans. Armys like the tannies, so pure hearted
- So proud of you, Yoongi. Thank you for leading us in such a great path
- I swear I got goosebumps, thank you all, army
- Proud of Yoongi Min, proud of Army!! This proves that the immense love that Yoongi shares with everyone is worthy of imitation... I hope this project will be a divine blessing for thousands of generations... Always by your side, Min Yoongi!!
- I’m so happy that I could be a small part of this all the way from here in Australia-it restores my faith in humanity
- This is real power of love. Respect ARMY and SUGA
- so proud of yoongi AND army right now. the world is better because of you
- This is a beautiful community. thank you for all your efforts n contributions!
- Wow, that's a lot of money donated. you guys are amazing as always!
- that's insane... unprompted. donations out of pure love and support.
- like an idol like a fan I swear I'm touched and thank you all ARMY I hope you are always happy
