On June 23, Severance Hospital announced the groundbreaking of the “Min Yoon-gi Treatment Center”, to be built with BTS Suga’s donation. This marks the largest-ever personal contribution from a celebrity to Yonsei University Health System.
According to the hospital, Suga was inspired to give after a discussion with Professor Chun Geun-ah of the Psychiatry Department, where they talked about the urgent need for tailored mental health infrastructure for children with autism.
However, not everyone sees the donation in a purely positive light. Critics argue that it may be an attempt to restore his image following a drunk driving incident during his military alternative service in 2023. At the time, Suga was found operating an electric scooter while intoxicated, crashing into a curb with a blood alcohol level of 0.227% well above the legal limit.
Although Suga publicly apologized and initially downplayed the severity by claiming he had only consumed “one beer,” police investigations later revealed this to be false, stirring allegations of a cover-up. Some fans even called for his removal from BTS at the time.
Reactions online are sharply divided. Detractors have criticized the donation as a “redemption strategy,” warning that it could send the wrong message to young fans that wealth can erase wrongdoing. Comments include, “You can’t buy forgiveness,” “Donations don’t erase a criminal record,” and “It’s manipulative.”
On the flip side, many netizens and fans defended Suga, praising the impact of his gesture: “₩5 billion is not a small amount,” “We should still recognize good deeds,” and “It’s making a real difference for people in need.”
Suga recently completed his military substitute service on June 21, after using his remaining leave days starting from the 18th. With all seven members now discharged, anticipation is building for a full-group BTS comeback later this year.
