V on BTS, success and what he’d tell his younger self

V – The Autumn 2026 Issue

This story is taken from the autumn 2026 issue of Dazed, which is on sale internationally from September 10. Pre-order a copy of the magazine here.

Everywhere V goes, he is accompanied by screams. Whether he’s attending a fashion show, performing at a sold-out arena or even making the short trip from his blacked-out SUV to the foyer of a five-star hotel, the BTS star’s life is soundtracked by an unbroken chorus of ear-splitting shrieks.

When I meet him away from the crowds, in a nondescript studio in central Paris, the contrast between this mania and his calm, gentle demeanour is stark. In person, V is softly spoken, flawlessly polite and has a cheeky, slightly goofy sense of humour. Together, these qualities make for an endearing combination. Excluding the photoshoot, we are granted just two short audiences with him; both conversations are strictly off the record. (Although I can confirm that he essentially just introduced himself, asked if I’d been to Korea, said he could recommend some restaurants for the next time I was in Seoul, and thanked us for having him on the cover of the magazine.) The scale of V’s success, along with his bandmates j-hope, Jimin, Jin, Jung Kook, RM and Suga, is difficult to comprehend. In 2024, BTS became the most-streamed band of all time on Spotify, becoming the first to surpass 100bn streams across all platforms with the release

of their tenth album, ARIRANG, in March this year. Along with the Beatles, they are one of only two groups in history to score three number one albums on the US Billboard chart in a single year. In fact, in terms of cultural impact, the Beatles are the only band that offers a meaningful comparison. One in 13 tourists to South Korea cites BTS as their main reason for visiting, and the group contributes an estimated US$4.65bn to the Korean economy each year. V is the soulful “fashion diva” (his stylist’s words) of the group, known for his rich baritone voice and retro, romantic style (see: his preference for louche tailoring and Michael Rider’s Celine). He reached a million followers on Instagram within 43 minutes of opening his account in 2021 – a Guinness World Record feat – and is now, with 75 million fans and counting, the most followed male K-pop artist on the platform.

This is all to say that V is one of the most formidable forces in contemporary pop. But what do we know about the man himself? Well, at the age of 30, he’s recently completed 18 months of active service in the South Korean army, serving in an elite counter-terrorism unit under the military police. He was born on December 30, 1995, in Daegu, the fourth-largest city in South Korea, and was raised largely by his paternal grandparents while his parents worked. He debuted with BTS when he was just 17, after accompanying a friend to an audition where he was spotted by recruiters. After more than a decade with the band, he launched his solo career with his debut EP, Layover, in September 2023. He’s a Capricorn sun, an Aries moon and (according to BTS fan sites) a Sagittarius rising. He loves animals and had a black-and-tan pomeranian called Yeontan, who sadly died in 2024. He likes jazz, photography, art and fashion; Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Kurt Cobain and John Legend. And despite channelling some of these musicians into his cool-guy-in-a-smoky-club aesthetic, he doesn’t take himself too seriously – as evidenced by his unfiltered chats with fans on Weverse, the general buffoonery of Run BTS, and his willingness to eat a series of increasingly spicy chicken wings on YouTube.

The stage feels like V’s natural habitat. He performs with such ease, such deftness, that it’s clear this is what he was born – and trained – to do. At a London stop in the group’s ongoing world tour, he could be seen gliding around the stage, floating from flawless vocals to faultless choreography, barely breaking a sweat despite the sweltering July heat. Seeing him perform prompts a million questions. How is he doing? Does he enjoy this life? What’s it like being screamed at all the time? Is he happy? Does he have friends outside the band? When does he hang out with them? What do they get up to? What occupies his mind when no one is watching? What does the explore page on his Finsta look like? What was his time in the military like? Did he enjoy it? Is he still in touch with anyone from his unit? What is it like to be recognised by so many but known by so few?

The tight-lipped nature of the K-pop industry means that a lot of these questions won’t be answered – at least not here. But what follows is our attempt to get to know this idol, who stands at the very pinnacle of global pop culture.

Hi V. How would you describe this current chapter of your life?

V: 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. Every place feels unfamiliar at first, but I’ve been finding small moments of happiness that feel comforting and make me feel at home.

Your life has been very busy for a long time. What helps you feel grounded?

V: What helps me stay grounded when everything moves so quickly is learning to appreciate the present moment. I’m trying to focus on the fact that I can have a good day without always having to rush or achieve something. I’ve realised that, even during a busy life, it’s important to slow down and enjoy where I am right now.

I feel most like myself on stage, when I’m able to express who I am through performance

What helps you reconnect with yourself?

V: Right now, while I’m on tour with BTS, what helps me reconnect with myself the most is being on stage. That’s the moment I feel the most like myself, when I can fully express who I am through performance. Another important part is our fans, ARMY. They remind me why I chose this path and help me remember the passion that started my journey in the first place.

What do you think you would be doing if you weren’t a musician?

V: I’ve thought about it before, but whenever I do it feels a little scary, so I just tell myself to stop overthinking. It reminds me how grateful I am to be making music. I’m happy with the life I have now, so I just try to enjoy each moment and do my best.

You were 17 when you debuted with BTS. What advice would you give to your younger self?

V: If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, I would tell him to stay focused on music. There may be moments when he becomes curious about things beyond music, and exploring new experiences is important, but I would remind him to always remember why he started this journey and continue to put his heart into music.

Has your definition of success changed since you first debuted?

V: When I first debuted, I think I had a very simple definition of success. I thought that, if I could appear on TV, that meant I had succeeded. But now I see success a little differently. Being able to share my music and my story with people is still meaningful, but I also think success is about being able to continue doing what I love and being remembered in a positive way.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given? And who was it that gave it to you?

V: One piece of advice that has stayed with me is, ‘You’ve done well, you’re doing well, and things will work out, so get some good rest’. It was something a close older friend told me a long time ago, during a moment when I was lacking confidence and needed some encouragement. I still remember those words, because they gave me comfort when I needed it most. Sometimes, even after all these years, that simple message comes back to me and reminds me to keep going.

What was turning 30 like for you? Has your mentality changed since hitting this age?

V: Honestly, I don’t think there was a big difference when I entered my 30s. Other than realising I need a little more time to recover than I used to, I don’t feel like much has changed. I’m still the same person, with the same passion and mindset.

You’ve often spoken about how important your grandmother was in your life. Is there a particular memory of her that still stays with you today?

V: My grandmother is someone who means so much to me. When I was growing up, she always made delicious meals for me, so I don’t really remember having many experiences of eating out until I was in elementary school. I think the first time I had a meal outside was probably my elementary school graduation day. I still remember how special that moment felt, and how much I enjoyed her meals. Looking back, those moments with my grandmother were filled with so much love and care, and they are memories I still cherish today.

How would you describe the new BTS album? How would you like it to make people feel?

V: ARIRANG is about BTS’s identity and our roots. I believe this album shows our growth and who we have become over the years. During the making of the album, our different personalities and perspectives came together, and I think those differences are what made the music more colourful and honest. Ultimately, we hope ARIRANG becomes a timeless piece of work that can resonate with people across generations and cultures.

When I first debuted, I had a very simple definition of success. But now I see [things] differently

How would you define your role in the group, musically and also in terms of personality?

V: I think of myself as someone who helps to balance the energy within the group. If the mood gets too high, I will try to bring it down and create a sense of calm, and if things feel a little too quiet, I’ll try to lift the vibe. I feel like I help create the right balance.

What makes you feel confident?

V: I feel the most confident right after a performance. When I walk back into my hotel room after a show, I’m usually filled with so much energy and confidence because I’m still carrying the excitement from the stage. I come back to my hotel, take a shower and get ready to sleep feeling really content and proud, but because the adrenaline is still there it’s not always easy to fall asleep right away.

What’s one thing people often assume about you that isn’t quite true?

V: I’m a pretty honest person, so I’m not sure if there’s anything people often misunderstand about me. But if there’s something people are curious about or want to know, I’d be happy for them to ask.

What are you curious about at the moment? Is there something you’re trying to learn or understand that has nothing to do with your music?

V: These days, I’ve been really into learning the piano. It’s something I’ve been enjoying and exploring at my own pace. If we’re talking about something completely unrelated to music, I would say travel. I’m looking forward to a quiet kind of travel where I can slow down, take in new surroundings and have time to enjoy the moment.

When people look back on your career many years from now, what do you hope they remember – not just about your work, but about you as a person?

V: I hope people remember me as an artist who could express a wide spectrum of emotions. I want my work to reflect different feelings and stories, and I hope those emotions can reach people in their own way.

This story is taken from the autumn 2026 issue of Dazed, which is on sale internationally from September 10. Pre-order a copy of the magazine here.

Style direction Boyeon Hur, hair Mujin Choi, make-up Sunghee An, set design Alice Jacobs at New School Represents, photographic assistants Florent Marti, Oscar de Château-Thierry, set design assistants Silvia Muñoz Nieto, Hugo Guénand Dalby, digital operator Clément Jurkew, production Jordan Doucet, Meme Meng and Aleks Aleksic at Angels Production, production coordinators Michi Zimmermann, Antim Gelew, production assistants Eliza Kania, Olivia Casabianca, post-production Cross Post.

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