BTS member V, born Kim Tae-hyung, disclosed for the first time this week that he has spent the past two and a half years managing significant hearing loss in his right ear, a condition he said grew worse during his mandatory service in the South Korean military.

The revelation came Wednesday during a Weverse livestream with bandmate Jungkook, held after the pair wrapped back-to-back stadium shows at Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium on BTS's ongoing "Arirang" World Tour. "If the hearing in my left ear is at 100, it's only about 30 in my right," V told viewers, according to the Korea Times, which was covering the stream.

"I've never told ARMY about this before"

V said he first noticed the issue while serving in the military — a mandatory stint for South Korean men that he completed between 2023 and June 2025 — but initially brushed it off. "It got a little worse in the military, and since I was surrounded by people who exercised a lot, everyone said, 'it's a matter of mental strength,'" he said. He has since sought medical treatment. "I'm going to the hospital regularly," he told fans, adding that he is taking medication to manage the condition.

I'VE NEVER TOLD ARMY ABOUT THIS BEFORE, BUT I THINK IT'S BEEN ABOUT TWO AND A HALF YEARS. — V (Kim Tae-hyung)

"ARMY" is the name BTS's fanbase uses for itself, and V's decision to share the diagnosis directly with fans during a livestream — rather than through a formal statement — is consistent with how the group has handled personal disclosures throughout its career. Complex's report on the livestream noted that Jungkook used the same broadcast to stress the importance of staying on top of health issues, after separately revealing he is nursing a shin injury.

V, 30, is continuing to perform with all seven BTS members on the Arirang World Tour despite the hearing loss, and gave no indication the condition would affect upcoming tour dates. He did not provide a treatment timeline or long-term prognosis, saying only that he is monitoring it with regular hospital visits.

What's next: BTS has not announced any changes to the remaining Arirang World Tour schedule, and V is expected to keep performing as the group's stadium run continues. Fans and Korean entertainment outlets are likely to keep close watch on any updates V shares about his hearing in future livestreams or interviews.