Blab Music
V of BTS Reflects on Solo Career, Military Service and Global Impact
V, the soulful member of the global K‑pop powerhouse BTS, sat down for an interview with Dazed in a quiet studio in central Paris. The conversation, conducted off‑record, offered a rare glimpse into the man behind the stage persona and highlighted his recent solo work, his military service, and the group’s record‑breaking achievements.
The interview opens with V’s reflections on the current chapter of his life. He said, “We’ve been really busy [lately] with our BTS WORLD TOUR ARIRANG in Europe, and I’ve had the chance to experience so many different cities along the way.” The tour, which began in April 2026, is the group’s sixth all‑stadium run and supports their tenth studio album, Arirang, released on 20 March 2026. V notes that the tour’s pace has been a source of grounding, adding that “learning to appreciate the present moment… helps me stay grounded when everything moves so quickly.”
V’s background is rooted in a modest upbringing in Daegu, South Korea. He was born on 30 December 1995 and was largely raised by his paternal grandparents. He debuted with BTS in 2013 at age 17 after being spotted during an audition. In 2024, the group became the most‑streamed band of all time on Spotify and the first act to surpass 100 billion streams across all platforms with Arirang. The album also made BTS one of only two groups in history to score three number‑one albums on the US Billboard chart in a single year.
In addition to his musical career, V completed 18 months of active service in the South Korean army, serving in an elite counter‑terrorism unit under the military police. According to the interview, he has not spoken publicly about the experience beyond acknowledging its impact on his personal growth.
V’s solo career began with the release of the EP Layover on 8 September 2023. The six‑track record, described as a pop, R&B and jazz EP led by V’s soulful voice, was accompanied by music videos for each song. Layover sold over 1.67 million copies on its opening day, setting a new record for the highest first‑day sales by any solo K‑pop artist. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, with 100,000 equivalent album units in its first week, and reached the top of the Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart. The EP’s singles—“Love Me Again,” “Rainy Days,” and “Slow Dancing”—were released ahead of the album and received significant streaming attention.
V’s Instagram presence is also notable. He set a Guinness World Record by reaching one million followers in 43 minutes after opening his account in 2021, and he currently has over 75 million followers, making him the most followed male K‑pop artist on the platform.
When asked about his role within BTS, V described himself as a balancing force, noting that he “helps to balance the energy within the group.” He also emphasized the importance of fans, stating that ARMY “remind[s] me why I chose this path and help[s] me remember the passion that started my journey.”
The interview concludes with V’s thoughts on the future. He expressed a desire to continue learning piano and traveling quietly, and he hopes that people will remember him as an artist capable of expressing a wide spectrum of emotions.
As of September 2026, V remains active in both solo and group activities. BTS is scheduled to continue the Arirang World Tour through March 2027, and V’s next solo release has not yet been announced. The group’s recent achievements—breaking streaming records on Spotify and Apple Music, and topping charts in over 25 countries—underscore their continued influence on the global music landscape.
The interview opens with V’s reflections on the current chapter of his life. He said, “We’ve been really busy [lately] with our BTS WORLD TOUR ARIRANG in Europe, and I’ve had the chance to experience so many different cities along the way.” The tour, which began in April 2026, is the group’s sixth all‑stadium run and supports their tenth studio album, Arirang, released on 20 March 2026. V notes that the tour’s pace has been a source of grounding, adding that “learning to appreciate the present moment… helps me stay grounded when everything moves so quickly.”
V’s background is rooted in a modest upbringing in Daegu, South Korea. He was born on 30 December 1995 and was largely raised by his paternal grandparents. He debuted with BTS in 2013 at age 17 after being spotted during an audition. In 2024, the group became the most‑streamed band of all time on Spotify and the first act to surpass 100 billion streams across all platforms with Arirang. The album also made BTS one of only two groups in history to score three number‑one albums on the US Billboard chart in a single year.
In addition to his musical career, V completed 18 months of active service in the South Korean army, serving in an elite counter‑terrorism unit under the military police. According to the interview, he has not spoken publicly about the experience beyond acknowledging its impact on his personal growth.
V’s solo career began with the release of the EP Layover on 8 September 2023. The six‑track record, described as a pop, R&B and jazz EP led by V’s soulful voice, was accompanied by music videos for each song. Layover sold over 1.67 million copies on its opening day, setting a new record for the highest first‑day sales by any solo K‑pop artist. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, with 100,000 equivalent album units in its first week, and reached the top of the Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart. The EP’s singles—“Love Me Again,” “Rainy Days,” and “Slow Dancing”—were released ahead of the album and received significant streaming attention.
V’s Instagram presence is also notable. He set a Guinness World Record by reaching one million followers in 43 minutes after opening his account in 2021, and he currently has over 75 million followers, making him the most followed male K‑pop artist on the platform.
When asked about his role within BTS, V described himself as a balancing force, noting that he “helps to balance the energy within the group.” He also emphasized the importance of fans, stating that ARMY “remind[s] me why I chose this path and help[s] me remember the passion that started my journey.”
The interview concludes with V’s thoughts on the future. He expressed a desire to continue learning piano and traveling quietly, and he hopes that people will remember him as an artist capable of expressing a wide spectrum of emotions.
As of September 2026, V remains active in both solo and group activities. BTS is scheduled to continue the Arirang World Tour through March 2027, and V’s next solo release has not yet been announced. The group’s recent achievements—breaking streaming records on Spotify and Apple Music, and topping charts in over 25 countries—underscore their continued influence on the global music landscape.
