BTS Star V Reveals Two-Year Hearing Loss Battle During Livestream

Kim Tae-hyung, widely known by his stage name V, has opened up about a significant health issue he has quietly carried for more than two years: partial hearing loss in his right ear. The BTS member made the revelation during a livestream on Wednesday, marking the first time he has shared this information publicly with the band's global fanbase.

Hearing Loss Disclosed Mid-Tour

V, who is 30 years old, explained the extent of his condition in plain terms. He told fans that if his left ear hearing is at 100, his right ear is only at about 30. He said the problem worsened during his mandatory military service in South Korea, but that he initially dismissed it as a matter of mental strength rather than a medical issue. He has since begun regular hospital visits and is now taking medication to manage the condition.

The disclosure came shortly after BTS wrapped up a series of concerts in Baltimore, Maryland, as part of the ongoing Arirang World Tour. Bandmate Jungkook also appeared in the livestream to share his own health update, revealing he is managing a shin injury and said he is on the verge of developing a stress fracture. He noted he would need to handle the injury carefully to continue performing.

Military Service and the Band's Return

Like all able-bodied male South Korean citizens, BTS members were required to complete 18 months of mandatory military service. The group began taking staggered career breaks to enlist starting in 2022, when they were at the peak of their global fame. V entered the military in 2023 and was discharged in June 2025.

The Arirang World Tour, which launched in April in South Korea, marks the highly anticipated reunion of all seven BTS members following their military service. It is the band's first full-group world tour in years. After Baltimore, the tour will continue to cities including Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, Bangkok, Sydney, and Hong Kong.

An Outpouring of Fan Support

V's candid admission drew an outpouring of support from BTS fans worldwide, known as ARMY. His willingness to speak openly about a health struggle in the middle of one of the most high-profile comeback tours in K-pop history underlines the unique bond the group maintains with its fanbase. Both V and Jungkook's updates reassured fans that despite the challenges, they remain committed to the tour.