YouTube of Min Yoongi Treatment Center - 6/24
"SUGA exerted a LOT of effort and care into meeting the children where they were..."
DISCLAIMER:
This is not a full transcript translation (as I’ve done with BTS members’ lives)
As is the case with ENGLISH, when it comes to topic-specific jargon that I’m unfamiliar with (in this case, language surrounding Autism Spectrum Disorder and some medical/treatment terms, etc.), I look up definitions just the same as you! For this translation, I had to look up quite a bit because I hardly ever/never read this information in Korean living in the states.
I still aim to provide a translation that is more accessible than what might be available by way of auto-generated or missing subtitles. My commentary in green.
Re: the Q&A, the interviewer asks quite a few side questions - I included the most relevant ones as unnumbered and the official questions are numbered
Cheon Keun-Ah
Professor, Dept. of Pediatric Psychiatry
Director, Behavior Development Center
Overview
Background on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
ASD is a neurological and developmental disorder affecting language, communication, and social interaction
Early detection and early intervention are critical
SUGA’s Involvement & Vision
For a long time, SUGA has cared about emotional challenges in children and teens and social awareness of developmental disorders like ASD
He personally reached out to Prof. Chun Geun-ah in November
SUGA brought his own guitar to sessions and helped children play instruments, sing, write lyrics, and express feelings through music
SUGA donated 5 billion KRW (~$3.6M USD) to build a dedicated treatment center
His dream: a comprehensive program and dedicated space for children with ASD
The Min Yoongi Treatment Center
A safe, hopeful space where children can find ways to connect with the world
Supports families and offers hope
Real life testimonials from the children:
“민 선생님! 저 이 노래 아빠랑 캠핑 갈 때 자주 들어요. 먼저 연주해 주세요!”
Mr. Min! (or Teacher Min!) I listen to this song with my dad when we go camping! Can you play it for us first?
“민 선생님! 마인드 프로그램에서 배운 실로폰과 우쿨렐레를 더 많은 사람들 앞에서 연주하고 싶어요! 저 할 수 있을 것 같아요!”
Mr. Min! (or Teacher Min!) I want to play the xylophone and ukulele that I learned from the MIND program in front of more people! I think I can do it!
“민 선생님! 핸드벨이 좋은 이유는, 빗소리가 나서예요.”
Mr. Min (or Teacher Min!) I like the handbells because they sound like rain.
Creation of the MIND PROGRAM
Developed through collaboration between SUGA & Severance Hospital
MIND stands for
M - Music, sensory and emotional engagement
I - Interaction, building communication and relationships
N - Network, fostering natural social bonds in community
D - Diversity, respecting/acknowledging/regarding/”minding” individual differences and promoting inclusion
Q&A Starting 12:16
How did this project come about in the first place?
SUGA has always been mindful of the mental health issues faced by children and adolescents; he approached me in November of last year and shared his intent to donate towards something in the area of musical talent
Picture reads: “Ever since learning about psychology, philosophy, mentality, and the brain - I’ve always wanted to get certification for psychological counseling as one of my final goals - and I’m always thinking about it. …I just wanted to be a help [in this space]”
Picture reads: “Anxiety and loneliness seem like they’ll accompany us forever/throughout life.” …”Perhaps worrying every minute is just a part of life. If you and I are both anxious - I want to say let’s both learn and find a way forward together’
Although the Professor was a bit skeptical/concerned at first** - her fears were put to rest when she realized that SUGA, when he approached her, out of due diligence had read nearly the entire treatment section of her 500something page paper and had prepared very specific and targeted questions, showed up to each meeting even earlier than her on some occasions, prepped with his guitar, talking to folks getting situated to start the program, coming in on his weekends, etc. - which, in turn, helped her take him seriously and realized he’s not one to glaze over details or just “simply” check boxes - he cared to meet the staff/regulars on site at the development center to really get a feel for the daily cadence of the center
SUGA exerted a LOT of effort and care into meeting the children where they were (“at eye-level” literally and figuratively) to conduct the program. She says she’ll never forget the look of happiness on SUGA’s face as he was working with the kids. This actually really touched the hearts of all the staff.
**TOTALLLLLY understandable because SUGA is a mega world star and she was a bit nervous about how sincere/serious such a huge celebrity might treat this work (because it is hugely significant to HER) and she’d have reservations about a celebrity diving into such important work for like a photo opp or some cursory sign off of their name, etc. I can imagine how touched the staff, who have been deeply entrenched in this work, with these kids for SO long - being moved by the integrity, earnestness, and sincere effort put forward by anyone, let alone THE SUGA of BTS.
When he first approached me, he asked like “Professor, isn’t our country’s #1 reason for youth mortality - suicide?” This is something SUGA felt he really couldn’t turn a blind eye to
So he approached you after reading your work - how much did you know about BTS?
Of course she knew THE world stars BTS - but re: their songs, her song knowledge was at about Dynamite, the MOST popular songs, and maybe Daechwita
How did he involve himself in this project at all because, in fact, he was serving out his social service work and free time was probably hard to come by?
He utilized his weekends and he always came promptly, never late
How did the children with ASD engage/connect?
The MIND Program was carried out over the course of 10, 90-ish minute sessions
SUGA played an oldie (Korean song) when one of the children was like “I KNOW THIS SONG!” And SUGA was like “oh how do you know this song?” Kid: “I heard it all the time when we want camping with my dad” and then started BELTING out the song in familiarity~ The whole staff had a good laugh at this very sweet moment. Music transcends time/generations and in this moment, words were not as necessary for everyone to be able to connect in a meaningful way
Children were able to pick an instrument of their choosing, some even brought their own instruments from home, and SUGA told them - you start, and I’ll play along.
Going back to ‘meeting the kids at eye-level’ in every sense - SUGA encouraged the children to start playing, presumably this means in whatever key they were most familiar/comfortable with, at whatever speed/rhythm they knew, etc. and he’d play alongside - matching their efforts
While the parents were inevitably informed that their children’s music teacher would be SUGA of BTS, the children never knew of his celebrity the entire duration of the program.
This Prof really wanted to make it a point to emphasize that SUGA never flexed his clout or anything with these children. They simply knew him as their music teacher, Mr. Min
Interviewer: Obviously efforts like these need some support- it’s hard without support but I have heard that SUGA’s support was quite significant. How so?
Prof: In communicating back and forth, he realized that there are multiple components to comprehensive care/development and this idea of a dedicated center began to crystallize - and he donated, very generously, 5 Billion KRW
Interviewer: O_O I am hearing the amount for the first time and I’m in shock.
What’s the direction moving forward for the center?
There’s a lot planned ~~ among the multi-faceted preparations, in the fall, they’re planning a music camp; SUGA has said “I will wholeheartedly continue to support”
Please support these efforts with your continued love and interest in the center.
As anything pursued by our beloved 7 bingbongs, I believe comprehensive and informed support can come in many forms no matter what your financial situation. Beginning with educating yourself, even briefly, on what children and families with ASD might experience, what challenges they may face on a systemic level locally, and what is practically doable in your own circles to make a positive impact is a good place to start. I believe the center is working hard to create infrastructure and systems to be able to receive donations from overseas - be sure to only give through vetted sources. Be wary of scams. Further, consider donating to your local organizations doing this and other invaluable work to improve peoples’ lives.
As always, thank you for reading. I don’t take your time or attention for granted. If you’d ever like to show support, pop through my linktree and see if anything is interesting!
Take care,
TK
