V, a member of South Korean pop group BTS, said in a livestream on Wednesday that he has been receiving treatment for hearing loss in his right ear for approximately two and a half years, disclosing the condition publicly for the first time while the band is midway through its Arirang World Tour.
BTS member V discloses hearing loss in right ear, says condition worsened during military service
V, a member of South Korean pop group BTS, said in a livestream on Wednesday that he has been receiving treatment for hearing loss in his right ear for approximately two and a half years, disclosing the condition publicly for the first time while the band is midway through its Arirang World Tour.
V, whose legal name is Kim Tae-hyung, is 30 years old. During the livestream he said that if the hearing in his left ear is at 100, it is only about 30 in his right.
He said his hearing deteriorated while he was serving in the South Korean military, but that he initially did not take the problem seriously, believing it to be 'a matter of mental strength.' He said he is now taking medication and attending hospital regularly.
Under South Korean law, able-bodied men are required to complete 18 months of military service, with rare exceptions. BTS members began taking career breaks to enlist starting in 2022, when the group was at the height of its fame. V enlisted in 2023 and was discharged in June 2025.
The Arirang World Tour, which began in April in South Korea, marked the reunion of all seven BTS members following their period of military service. The livestream took place after the band concluded a run of concerts in Baltimore, Maryland.
V was joined during the livestream by bandmate Jungkook, who said he had been dealing with a shin injury during the tour and described himself as being 'on the verge of developing a stress fracture.' Jungkook said he would need to manage the injury carefully in order to continue performing.
The tour is scheduled to continue to cities including Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, Bangkok, Sydney, and Hong Kong in the coming months.
- The specific medical diagnosis or clinical name for V's hearing condition is not stated.
- The name or type of treatment or medication V is receiving is not specified.
- Whether V's hearing condition has affected his stage performances or required any accommodations during the tour is not addressed.
- Medical details of Jungkook's shin injury, including any formal diagnosis or treatment plan, are not provided.
- No comment or response from BTS's management or medical personnel is included.