SUGA’s Mental Health Center Garners Praise as Heartwarming Backstory Goes Viral
A post titled “The Story Behind the Establishment of Min Yoongi’s (SUGA) Mental Health Center” recently went viral on Korean community site Pann Nate, drawing widespread admiration for the BTS member’s sincerity and long-term commitment to mental health advocacy. The original poster (OP) shared background information and quotes from SUGA, highlighting his intentions, preparation, and the true purpose behind his efforts.
According to the OP, SUGA once said:
“I’ve always had this thought: my ultimate goal is to study psychology, philosophy, the mind, and the brain, and then earn a counseling license… because I want to help others. Anxiety and loneliness feel like lifelong companions… I believe life is about constantly facing inner struggles. I want to say, ‘I’m also anxious, and so are you—let’s search and learn together.’”
The OP explained that SUGA’s interest in mental health, particularly involving children and adolescents, led him to meet Professor Chun Geun-ah in November last year. There, he expressed his desire to offer his musical talents for a meaningful cause. With a long-standing concern for developmental disorders and autism spectrum disorder, SUGA decided to partner with Seoul’s Severance Hospital to develop a structured therapeutic program.
What stood out most – Suga never revealed he was a BTS member, choosing instead to introduce himself simply as “Min Yoongi.” He taught the children music, played instruments, and genuinely connected with them as a person, not a celebrity.
Professor Chun recalled:
“During our first meeting, he had already read most of my 500-page textbook and asked about teen suicide, one of the leading causes of death among youth. He said he couldn’t turn a blind eye. He never once arrived late—in fact, he came early to practice guitar and always made an effort to meet the kids at their level. His sincerity was moving to all of us. He declared his willingness to contribute his musical talent, which moved me to start designing what eventually became the ‘MLND (Mind)’ program.”
Throughout the program’s preparation and delivery, SUGA was deeply involved—not as a distant sponsor, but as an active volunteer. He showed up early to every session, held meetings with therapists, and practiced guitar before interacting with the children. His presence was consistent over 10 sessions, each lasting around 90 minutes. “He tried hard to match the kids’ energy and needs,” said Professor Chun. “Watching him smile while reading their letters was unforgettable. It wasn’t just meaningful for the children—it clearly brought him joy and healing too.”
Notably, while parents were told about SUGA’s role, the children did not know their “music teacher” was an international superstar. This allowed them to engage with him naturally and fully.
According to the OP, SUGA once asked Professor Chun, “Professor, isn’t suicide the number one cause of death among Korean youth?” This awareness sparked even more resolve. His song “AMYGDALA”—named after the part of the brain linked to emotions and memory—is also cited as a reflection of his interest in how the mind and emotions are shaped by brain function.
His dedication didn’t stop at volunteering. Moved by the need for a permanent, structured mental health platform for children and teens, SUGA made a personal donation of ₩5 billion KRW (approx. 3.6 million USD) to support the creation of a dedicated therapy space. “SUGA told me he wanted to remain involved in every way—not just through money,” said Professor Chun. “With his continued support, we plan to expand and upgrade the center.”
The viral Pann post quickly drew thousands of likes and supportive comments. Some of the top responses included:
- Just the fact that he openly put his own name on the center shows it’s not something he intends to use briefly for show and then discard. Going to work five days a week and volunteering on weekends is truly not an easy thing to do.
- It’s more than just a donation. It really feels like the genuine beginning of something for the kids.
- Yoongi smiling after reading the letters from the children 😭
- I watched the broadcast with Professor Chun Geun-ah, and it really seemed like autism-related research needs financial support.
- It’s admirable that he didn’t just donate money but continued to meet with the kids, helped develop the program, and volunteered using the music he’s so good at.
Through his agency, Suga also shared, “Over the past seven months working with Professor Chun and volunteering, I’ve realized how powerful music can be as a tool for emotional expression and communication. I’m deeply grateful to have had this experience. I’ll continue to support children with autism so they can become an active part of our society.”
SUGA’s efforts have resonated deeply with fans and the wider public, not only because of the scale of his donation, but because of the sincerity behind every action. From studying dense medical literature to showing up early for weekend therapy sessions, he has proven that healing begins with empathy, consistency, and showing up—even when no one is watching.
