Global K-pop phenomenon BTS has sent waves of concern across its worldwide fanbase after member V, born Kim Tae-hyung, opened up for the first time about a long-running hearing impairment that has progressed during his mandatory South Korean military service. The surprising disclosure came during a recent livestream with bandmate Jungkook, held just after the group wrapped a string of reunion tour shows in Baltimore, Maryland, and comes halfway through the group’s first full seven-member world tour since ending their military service hiatus.
The 30-year-old vocalist shared that he has been managing partial hearing loss in his right ear for approximately two and a half years, marking the first time he has shared the personal health issue with the group’s loyal ARMY fanbase. In candid comments during the stream, V explained the stark discrepancy in his hearing ability: while his left ear retains full functionality, he estimated his right ear only operates at around 30% capacity. He added that his condition worsened noticeably during his time in mandatory military service, a requirement that applies to nearly all able-bodied adult men in South Korea.
V admitted that when he first noticed changes in his hearing, he dismissed the issue, mistakenly attributing it to a test of “mental strength” rather than a medical concern that required intervention. Today, he says he is prioritizing treatment, regularly attending hospital appointments and taking prescribed medication to manage the condition.
V enlisted in the South Korean military in 2023, and completed his 18-month service to receive his discharge in June 2025. He was one of the final BTS members to complete mandatory service: all seven members of the record-breaking group paused their high-flying music careers at the peak of their global fame in 2022 to fulfill their national service requirements. Their long-awaited reunion tour, dubbed the Arirang World Tour, launched in South Korea this past April, marking the first time all seven members have performed together for a full global run in years.
During the same livestream, fellow member Jungkook also opened up about a persistent health issue he has been navigating throughout the tour: a nagging shin injury that he says is on the cusp of developing into a stress fracture. The 27-year-old performer noted that he is focused on careful injury management to ensure he can continue meeting fans on the remaining tour dates. The Arirang World Tour is scheduled to travel to dozens of major global cities in the coming months, including Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, Bangkok, Sydney, and Hong Kong, with hundreds of thousands of tickets already sold to enthusiastic fans worldwide.