BTS member SUGA has co-authored a clinical therapy manual titled The MIND Program, a structured music-based approach designed to help children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder develop social and communication skills.
Known globally for his music, SUGA has now stepped into the world of clinical care in a meaningful way. His collaboration with leading medical experts at Severance Hospital in Seoul has produced a published manual that could shape how therapists around the world approach autism support. Here is everything confirmed about the project.
The MIND Program: Key Details
| Detail | Info |
| Manual Title | The MIND Program |
| Full Name | Music-Interaction-Network-Diversity |
| Co-Authors | Professor Chun Geun-ah and SUGA (Min Yoon-gi) |
| Published By | Hakjisa Publisher |
| Published Date | March 17, 2026 |
| Target Group | Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder |
| Program Structure | 12 progressive sessions |
| Available | For preorder via online bookstores |
| English Edition | No plans announced at this time |
What Is the MIND Program?
The MIND Program stands for Music-Interaction-Network-Diversity and serves as a clinical manual for music-based social skills training. Severance Hospital developed it specifically for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.
Conventional social skills training programs tend to depend on a certain level of language comprehension and cognitive ability, which makes them difficult to apply to children with lower developmental functioning. The MIND Program takes a different approach entirely. Rather than relying on verbal communication, it encourages children to build interpersonal skills through musical performance activities such as choosing instruments, listening, waiting, and coordinating with others in group performances.
According to Severance Hospital’s research team, some children who had difficulty expressing emotions or thoughts verbally became noticeably more engaged through instrument-based interaction.
How the Program Is Structured
The MIND Program consists of 12 progressive sessions that build gradually over time:
- Early sessions focus on basic interaction and engagement through simple musical activities
- Mid-program sessions develop emotional recognition, information exchange, and communication
- Later sessions advance into collaborative music projects where participants work together as a group
- The manual also includes intervention methods for challenging situations based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for use in clinical settings
In pre- and post-program assessments of seven children and adolescents who participated in the pilot, researchers found meaningful improvements in:
- Social adaptation skills
- Recognition of non-verbal cues
- Motivation for social participation
SUGA’s Role in the Project
SUGA’s involvement in The MIND Program goes well beyond co-authorship. His connection to this initiative began in fall 2024, when he began collaborating with Professor Chun Geun-ah, a leading authority in child and adolescent psychiatry at Severance Hospital, after both identified a shared need for longer-term therapeutic support for children with autism.
Here is a summary of his confirmed contributions:
- Contributed ideas from the planning stage, shaping the program’s philosophy from the beginning
- Volunteered as a music instructor during the pilot phase, working directly with children in sessions
- Donated 5 billion Korean won (approximately $3.35 million USD), which funded the establishment of the Min Yoon-gi Treatment Center at Severance Hospital, which opened in September 2025
- Co-authored the clinical manual, with Professor Chun serving as lead author
In the foreword to the manual, Professor Chun wrote that SUGA’s contribution was decisive in bringing the program into being, noting that his involvement reflected the sensibility of an artist who understands the power of music, combined with a sincere commitment to supporting vulnerable groups.
What the Lead Author Said
Professor Chun Geun-ah, who serves as the inaugural director of the Min Yoon-gi Treatment Center and as director of child and adolescent psychiatry at Severance Hospital, expressed clear ambitions for the manual’s reach. She stated that she hoped both domestic and international clinicians and specialists could use the manual to understand the program’s philosophy and procedures and apply them in actual clinical practice.
She also noted that previous research had shown group musical experiences could support relationship-building and emotional development, and that the MIND Program represents one of the first efforts to translate those findings into a concrete clinical model.
The significance of this project extends beyond its clinical value. Mental health awareness and neurodevelopmental support carry significant stigma in parts of East Asia, including South Korea, where cultural attitudes around seeking help can make it harder for families to access care. A high-profile public figure like SUGA directly and visibly investing in autism support sends a strong message about the importance of this work.
The MIND Program manual is now available for preorder through online bookstores in Korea via Hakjisa Publisher. There are no current plans for an English-language edition, though Professor Chun has expressed hope that therapists and specialists worldwide will be able to engage with and apply the program.
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