Latest news with #Taehyung
Pink Villa
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
‘Bangtan's hidden gem': BTS ARMY celebrates 12 years since V got introduced as BTS' final member ahead of debut
For most fans, it was just another early summer day. But for the K-pop world? It was the calm before a global storm. Because exactly 12 years ago today, something wild happened: BigHit Entertainment dropped a bombshell—BTS doesn't have six members, it has seven. And the face that appeared? Mysterious. Mesmerizing. Magnetic. That face belonged to Kim Taehyung, now known to millions simply as V, the final piece of BTS' puzzle, and their ultimate 'Secret Weapon.' On June 2, 2013, BTS ARMY first met V. Now, in 2025—12 years later—ARMYs are still celebrating that unforgettable moment with huge passion and love. The Phantom Trainee: V's 2 Years in the Shadows V joined BigHit in 2011 after randomly auditioning while accompanying a friend. He wasn't supposed to be there. But after a whirlwind tryout where he sang, danced, and even busted out a saxophone solo. But here's the plot twist: while RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, and Jungkook were introduced one by one to fans in 2012, V was kept in the dark. For two whole years, he trained in secret, unannounced, unseen, unheard. Even BTS stans had no clue there was a seventh member. In an industry built on visibility, V was the ghost in the machine—a phantom idol. Why the secrecy? BigHit later revealed they wanted to save Taehyung as a surprise. A strategic move. A mic-drop moment which eventually worked. When he was finally revealed on June 2, 2013—just 11 days before BTS's official debut—the internet lost its mind. 'I Felt Like a Shadow…' The glow-up is real, but don't get it twisted—V's rise wasn't without struggle. In interviews, the Slow Dance singer shared how hard it was to be left out while his fellow trainees recorded logs, shot content, and built early fanbases. 'I was very sad,' he admitted. To cope, he secretly recorded videos of himself, talking to the camera like someone trapped in a time capsule. 'Today is this day of this month in 2013,' he'd say. 'This probably won't get released, right?' Netizens Reaction As soon as June 2 hit, ARMYs took over social media, flooding platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and other social media platforms with love for V. Hashtags like #12YearsWithV, #Taehyung, and #VDay trended worldwide within hours. Fans shared throwback clips, emotional fan edits, and heartfelt messages. The Glow-Up of BTS' Legend Fast forward to now: V is one of the most recognizable and adored idols in the World. His deep, honey-smooth voice. His cinematic visuals. His vintage soul trapped in a millennial body. Whether he's melting hearts with a ballad, dropping jaw-dropping visuals on Instagram, or rocking Celine on a Paris runway, V isn't just part of BTS—he's a cultural force of his own.
Pink Villa
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Will BTS' V flash abs next after J-Hope? Kim Taehyung introduces never-before-known name Ellio, here's all about its origin
BTS' V is once again showing off his signature humor and fans are here for it. Although currently serving in the military, V made a surprise return to Weverse. He playfully responded to fan comments and sparked hilarious online buzz. And yes, there's even talk about abs! Abs reveal? One interaction that caught everyone's attention began when a fan jokingly wrote, 'I'm going to hold my breath till Taehyung shows his abs.' V didn't let it slide and replied with deadpan wit, 'You won't be able to breathe for the rest of your life then.' Naturally, ARMY erupted in laughter and some hope. This playful back-and-forth has now triggered speculation about whether the singer might actually show off his abs. While nothing is confirmed, fans are manifesting a reveal post-discharge. Recently, fellow member J-Hope showed his 6-pack abs in concept photos for Killin' It Girl on May 29. Now, fans are eagerly hoping that other members will join in on the trend too. Ellio and the sheep In another charming moment, a fan posted a blurry zoomed-in photo of V feeding sheep and asked: 'There are things I'm curious about. Is it okay to ask? what's the name Ellio in the photo? You're giving food to the sheep? Explanation please kekeke.' V responded with a wholesome surprise, revealing, 'It was my English name back when I attended English fairy tale school [English academy]. Yes, I even bought the grass.' The candid answer delighted fans and shed light on the never-heard-before fact that his name was Ellio. When is V getting discharged? V's unexpected Weverse appearance is being praised by ARMY, who are touched that he took the time to interact with fans despite being enlisted. His posts reflect his unique blend of sincerity and humor, something fans have deeply missed. V enlisted on December 11, 2023, and is scheduled to be discharged on June 10, 2025. As the date approaches, anticipation is high for his return; not only to music but to the playful, warm presence fans adore.
Pink Villa
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
BTS' V grabs 3 wins for solo music and ARMY fan award at Top50MA amid military service proving global popularity
Even while serving in the military, BTS' Kim Taehyung continues to make headlines and capture hearts across the globe. On May 14, the singer achieved a major milestone by winning three prestigious titles at the Top 50 Music Awards 2025, held in Spain. The recognition was part of the award ceremony's International Category. It has sparked a wave of celebrations across the ARMY fandom. Taehyung was nominated in three separate categories: Best K-pop Artist, Best Song for his solo track FRI(END)S, and Best Fanbase. The latter honoring his massive and loyal global supporters. In a rare yet impressive sweep, he won in all three categories. He proved that his influence and popularity remain unmatched even during his absence from the entertainment scene. The awards win served as a powerful reminder of the support V receives from his dedicated fanbase, ARMY. It symbolized the connection that has remained strong between the artist and his admirers, even during his absence from public activities. Following the announcement of his triple win, fans from across the globe took to social media to express their joy, admiration, and overwhelming pride. Countless fan edits, congratulatory tweets, and heartfelt messages poured in within hours. Many expressed how proud they were to support Taehyung. Meanwhile, the idol officially began his military duties on December 11, 2023. He joined the ranks of several fellow BTS members who are fulfilling South Korea's mandatory military service requirements. After undergoing basic training, he completed an additional three-week special forces training program. On February 8, 2024, he was assigned to the Ssangyong Unit under the 2nd Corps, a unit operating within the Military Police's Special Task Force. Serving in a demanding and elite unit, Taehyung's commitment to his duties has been praised by both fans and military insiders. Taehyung is expected to be discharged in June 2025, and anticipation for his post-military activities is already building. Many fans hope he will return with new music or even fan events to reconnect after nearly two years of limited activity. For now, the Top 50 Music Awards win stands as a touching tribute to the power of fandom and the strength of V's artistry. It also reflects the enduring love that connects an artist with their global audience, regardless of distance or time.
News18
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
BTS Star V's Journey: From An Accidental Audition To Global Stardom
Last Updated: While growing up, Taehyung liked singing and also played the saxophone. In just a few weeks, BTS will reunite after nearly three years, following their mandatory military service. While Jin and J-Hope have already made their mark with successful solo projects, the countdown is on for the remaining members—RM, Suga, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—who are set to be discharged in June. Among the septet, one name that continues to shine is Kim Taehyung, better known to millions of his fans as V. He has carved a space for himself in the ever-competitive industry with his unique deep voice and unmatchable looks. Ahead of his return from the military, here's everything to know about the K-pop powerhouse. Born on December 30, 1995, in Daegu, South Korea, Taehyung completed his studies at Korea Art School and Global Cyber University. He grew up singing and playing the saxophone. While he had a knack for music since childhood, he never planned to audition for Big Hit Entertainment. He had accompanied his friend, who went for an audition at the company. But as fate would have it, the company showed interest in Taehyung and asked him to audition as well. While his friend failed, V went on to become a trainee. During the training, he once had a difficult time and wanted to quit being a trainee. He endured the challenges and then debuted with BTS in June 2013, becoming one of the most successful Hallyu stars at present. Taehyung is one of the vocalists of BTS, as well as a songwriter and visual. Apart from his work with BTS, V is also known for singing a few K-drama OSTs, including Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth's It's Definitely You and Our Beloved Summer's Christmas Tree. In January 2019, he released his first independent song, Scenery. He wrote and composed the song along with the cover art for it. The same year, he released another single titled Winter Bear, the first all-English song. In December 2023, V released his debut solo studio album, Layover. Comprising six songs, his album debuted at the No. 2 spot on the Billboard 200 chart. Last year, V released two singles, White Christmas and Winter Ahead, while serving in the military. Besides his singing career, BTS' V also took on acting projects. He made his on-screen debut in 2016 with the historical drama Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth. The 29-year-old K-pop idol is also part of a friends group called Wooga Squad, which comprises actors Park Seo Joon, Park Hyung-sik, Choi Woo Shik and rapper Peakboy. All five of them starred in Disney+'s reality show In the Soop: Friendcation. He is also the brand ambassador of luxury brands Celine and Cartier and has been recognised as the Most Handsome Man Alive a few times. V has also been credited for coining the term 'I purple you" in 2016, which has since become a symbol of BTS and its fans. He currently enjoys a fan following of over 66 million on Instagram. Speaking of his military service, V enlisted on December 11, and after the completion of his basic training, he was assigned to the Special Task Force of the Military Police Corps. He is expected to be discharged by June 10, 2025. First Published:
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
BTS' V and IU spotted on dinner date with 2AM's Seulong and mystery woman; fans ask, ‘Where is Lee Jong Suk?
BTS member Kim Taehyung seems to have taken a military day off to celebrate IU, aka Lee Ji Eun's, 32nd birthday. On May 16, South Korean fan communities' social media handles were swamped with multiple pictures of the duo dining together at a luxurious Seoul hotel, trying to keep low-key. While initially only Taehyung's face was clearly visible in the photos, many soon decoded that the woman sitting across with a wide-brimmed hat and a flannel shirt is none other than his co-star—based on her livestream session that took place with fans on the same day, where the singer wore the same outfit. Also read: 'Taehyung, thanks to you, I never gave up': BTS' V's friend from military shares new photos, recalls beautiful memories The second youngest member of the South Korean boy band, Taehyung, earlier collaborated with IU for her music video Love Wins All, which is a bittersweet story about a young couple set in a post-apocalyptic world. The two have since maintained a good friendship, even appreciating each other in interviews and attending concerts. So it wasn't a big surprise when V took a day off to celebrate her big day, but the cosy sighting still fanned some controversy since IU is publicly dating Lee Jong Suk, who was not present during the dinner. Later, it was revealed that the duo were indeed not alone, but they also met with 2AM's Seulong and another female acquaintance. I smell collab OMG @bluemphoria 🥹 — 𝖒𝖆𝖗𝖆𝖍 🐰🧸🥢 BTS YEAR 💜 (@agusthvkooo) May 15, 2025 One user who shared the picture from the restaurant, wrote, 'I saw V at MOSU TTTTTT,' according to All Kpop. They added, 'I was always calm no matter what celebrity I ran into.. But V, I'm not even a fan but he's not human. His skin looks like it was blurred by 100 percent.. And his face is 100 percent eyes.. I'm still awestruck.. Well, at least I got to take a pic(?).' Also read: BTS' Jin admits he doesn't speak to Jungkook 'carelessly' despite being his hyung, says 'We have scary fans' Taehyung is currently serving in South Korea's SDT, which is a counter-terrorism unit. Recently, a fellow soldier of V who was discharged from the military shared an update about the singer, revealing that not only was he promoted to Sergeant Kim rank, but also won multiple awards for his exceptional performance even in unhealthy condition. The singer chose to enlist in the special duty team while the other 6 BTS members went for regular military service. IU, on the other hand, recently wrapped up her filming for When Life Gives You Tangerines with Park Bo Gum and is back to her music and concert shows. The picture went viral in seconds, and fans are hoping for a collaboration. 'Do a drama together please,' a fan commented. 'Their chemistry is just undeniable, date guys pls,' another insisted. Others were relieved to find that it was a friendly gathering and not a solo outing. 'I figured there were other people from the start — V kept glancing to the side,' one wrote. Another added, 'Ah, turns out it was with acquaintances lololololol.' Some criticised those trying to stir controversy and said, 'I really don't get why this became such a big deal. It was probably a shared gathering to celebrate both V finishing his service and IU's birthday. What are people even doing, trying to stir things up when the female celeb is already openly dating someone else?' One more chimed in, 'Fr, she's publicly dating someone else, but these delusional shippers and forced narratives need to be put in a hospital.' Meanwhile, IU is teaming up with Cha Eun Woo for a new track from her A Flower Bookmark album. The project would finally be Eun Woo's last before he enlists in the military. BTS, on the other hand, is set to reunite in June.
