Suga of South Korean megastars BTS has taken his autism advocacy to new heights with the release of a music-based therapy manual for young people on the spectrum.
The rapper and producer co-authored “The MIND Program” in collaboration with a group of researchers led by Professor Cheon Keun-ah, a child psychiatrist at the Yonsei University College of Medicine’s Severance Hospital in Seoul.
What is it about?
The book promotes music as a medium to develop the communication and social skills among children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
It also aims to respond to the limitations of existing language-based social skills training programmes, which, according to researchers cited by the book, are often challenging for children with low cognitive abilities or limited language development.
“This book cannot be discussed without mentioning Min Yoon-gi, and his contribution was decisive in bringing the programme to reality,” lead author Cheon says in the book’s foreword, referring to Suga’s real name.
“I hope this manual will enable experts and therapists at home and abroad to share the programme’s philosophy and specific procedures and apply them in clinical practice.”
“The MIND Program” hit the shelves on March 17, three days before the launch of BTS’ eventual chart-topping album, “ARIRANG”.
READ MORE: TV news: ‘The Boys’ season five is headed for a destructive final two episodes
How did ‘The MIND Program’ come to be?
“The MIND Program” — which stands for Music, Interaction, Network, and Diversity — was born out of a collaboration between Suga and Professor Cheon.
Suga first met with Cheon in November 2024 to express his interest in supporting individuals, particularly children, with developmental and mental issues.
Following several meetings, they both agreed on the need for a new, long-term therapeutic paradigm for autism patients.
While on military service leave from March to June 2025, Suga devoted his weekends to playing guitar and piano for children with ASD and developing a music-based therapy programme with Cheon.
The programme spans 12 sessions, allowing children to express themselves through music as well as connect and collaborate with others.
They are encouraged to choose their own instruments, sing, and join group performances.
“While I was preparing the programme with Professor Cheon Keun-ah and doing volunteer work, I learnt how music can become a pathway for communication and self-expression,” Suga said in a press release at the time.
Passion for advocacy beyond the stage
After he was discharged from mandatory military service last June, Suga donated a whopping KRW5 billion ($3.4 million at today’s exchange rates) to establish the Min Yoon-gi Treatment Center within the Severance Hospital.
The treatment centre specialising in autism officially opened its doors in September, with Professor Cheon as its inaugural director.
It is home to state-of-the-art therapy rooms for speech and behavioural support as well as soundproofed rooms for music and social skills programmes.
“At the Min Yoon-gi Treatment Center, we not only teach children music to enhance therapeutic outcomes but also educate them on social interaction,” Cheon said in a statement quoted by The Korea Times the same month.
“We hope that as the public sees these children striving for independence, perceptions of disability will change significantly.”
READ NEXT: Film news: Academy announces AI actors, screenplays ineligible for Oscars
Kamille Q. Cabreza 
John Christopher Aquino 
Simon Wilkes