Who is Kim Taehyung?

🐻 Meet Kim Taehyung 🐯

Kim Taehyung 김태형, known as his stage name V, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, record producer and actor. He is a member of BTS, as well as a successful solo artist. He is a baritone, known for his wide vocal range and unique musicality. He is heavily influenced by his love for jazz and classical music. As a dancer and performer he is recognized worldwide for his engaging stage presence and versatility.

🌱 From Daegu to Debut

Born on December 30, 1995, in Daegu, South Korea, Kim Taehyung was raised in a loving family with strong values. As the eldest of three children, he grew up under the warmth of his grandparents, who played a pivotal role in shaping his early life. He graduated from Korean Arts High School in 2014. He also received his degree in Broadcasting and Entertainment from the Global Cyber University in 2020. Tae has shown his love for music from a young age. He picked up the saxophone in middle school and fell in love with the way it made him feel.

Taehyung auditioned for Big Hit in 2011, purely by chance. He was only accompanying a friend. A staff member encouraged him to try out, and he ended up becoming a trainee. While other members were introduced early, V remained a mystery to fans until the very day BTS debuted. His first appearance sparked curiosity and admiration. That deep voice! That gaze! That energy! He may have been the last surprise of the debut line-up, but he quickly proved himself as an irreplaceable piece of the BTS puzzle.

🎤 The BTS Years

Debuting with BTS on June 13, 2013, Taehyung immediately stood out with his deep baritone voice, rich stage charisma, and unconventional artistic sensibilities. As part of the vocal line, his unique tone brings texture and depth to BTS’s sound, whether it's the raw vulnerability of Spring Day or the sultry harmony of Boy With Luv or his brooding elegance in Black Swan, his parts often add emotional gravity to key moments in their discography.

Vocally, his harmonies and lower-register ad-libs form the emotional undercurrent of many BTS songs like The Truth Untold and 00:00 (Zero O’Clock). A standout moment of his vocal versatility is his signature growl in Jump, where his raw power and intensity add a dynamic layer to the track, showcasing his unique ability to shift between smooth, emotional delivery and explosive vocal energy.

Beyond his vocal role, V’s songwriting and conceptual influence have grown steadily. He received his first official writing credit on Hold Me Tight (2015), showing early promise as a composer. In 2017, he co-composed the soft, introspective track 4 O’Clock with RM, a reflective piece released during BTS Festa, inspired by moments of solitude and companionship. He co-wrote and co-composed the introspective track Blue & Grey for the BE album, originally intended for his solo project. The song captured themes of burnout, anxiety, and quiet yearning, striking a chord with listeners worldwide.

On stage, his performance style blends elegance and instinct, adding drama and dimension to every show. V remains one of BTS’s most enigmatic yet grounding forces—quietly shaping the group’s sound and soul.

V’s creative eye is evident in the group’s visual projects as well. He contributed to the artistic direction of various photo concepts and was closely involved in curating the mood and visuals of BTS’s exhibitions. In every era, his input—musical, aesthetic, and emotional—has quietly shaped BTS’s evolution.

🎤 Solo Within and Beyond BTS

Outside BTS, V has steadily carved out a unique space as a solo artist within and beyond the group’s discography. His first solo track with BTS was Stigma from the “WINGS” album (2016), a jazz-tinged ballad showcasing his deep register and emotional nuance, foreshadowing his evolving artistic voice.

In 2018, he unveiled Singularity, the opener for “Love Yourself: Tear.” With hypnotic choreography and a neo-soul soundscape, the track earned critical acclaim, landing on the New York Times’ “65 Best Songs of 2018.” His haunting delivery became central to BTS’s artistic identity at the time.

V began sharing independent work in 2019 with Scenery, a self-composed acoustic ballad paired with nostalgic visuals. It broke SoundCloud streaming records and introduced fans to his cinematic storytelling. That same year, he released Winter Bear, his first all-English track and self-directed video—revealing his introspective lyricism and visual artistry.

His OST journey began with It’s Definitely You, a 2016 duet with Jin for the drama Hwarang, where his warm vocals contrasted vibrant instrumentation. In 2020, he dropped Sweet Night for Itaewon Class, debuting at #2 on Billboard’s U.S. Digital Song Sales and gaining global OST recognition. That Christmas, Snow Flower (feat. Peakboy) brought comfort during the pandemic. He closed 2021 with Christmas Tree, a gentle ballad that entered the Billboard Hot 100 and resonated for its intimacy.

In 2023, V released Wherever U R with UMI, a tender fan-dedicated track gifted on his birthday before enlistment. Its lo-fi R&B sound and bilingual lyrics conveyed warmth and quiet affection. In 2024, he returned with FRI(END)S, a soulful, conversational single that debuted at No. 65 on the Billboard Hot 100, peaked at No. 3 on the Global Excl. U.S. chart, and topped iTunes in 102 countries—affirming his global reach. That winter, he offered Winter Ahead (with Park Hyoshin), a soft, jazz-leaning ballad steeped in seasonal nostalgia. He also fulfilled a dream by collaborating posthumously with his idol Bing Crosby on White Christmas, merging vintage holiday charm with his own warm tone in a timeless tribute.

💜 V's Legacy: “Borahae”

V is also credited with coining the phrase, “Borahae (보라해) - I purple you” in November 2016 - a heartfelt expression of trust and love. Since then, purple has become a symbol of BTS and their fans’ unbreakable bond, even inspiring campaign's like BTS’s anti-bullying collaboration with UNICEF.

🎬 Acting Career

Taehyung possesses a rare and unforgettable aura, making him effortlessly unique and setting him apart from everyone else. Not to forget, he is ambidextrous, a small but remarkable detail that reflects his natural versatility.

Taehyung’s love for acting has always been a quiet part of his artistry. Long before his official debut, he often created skits and playful roleplays with fellow BTS members, showing his natural expressiveness and imagination.

In 2016, he made his acting debut in the historical drama ‘Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth’, where he portrayed the warm-hearted warrior Hansung. His sincerity and innocence on screen touched many viewers. Taehyung also contributed to the drama’s soundtrack, collaborating with his fellow BTS member, Jin on the heartfelt song ‘It’s Definitely You’ in 2017, blending his love for music and acting into one beautiful moment.

🐾 Introducing: Kim Yeontan

Taehyung is also well-known for his love of his late dog, Kim Yeontan, a pomeranian first introduced to fans in December 2017. Yeontan or "Tannie" was a huge part of Taehyung's life.

Tannie was cited as his muse for his debut album, ‘Layover.” His image graced the cover of the album, and he is featured in the music videos earning him The K-Pup Idol title.

Yeontan even joined V on stage during a music show, stealing the spotlight with ease. The fan-favorite pup even received his own official fan cam, delighting fans and adding a sweet, personal touch to V’s performance. The moment quickly went viral, highlighting the duo’s charm and unbreakable bond.

V also used Yeontan’s image for the cover art for his collaboration with Bing Crosby, “White Christmas.” The music video also featured a cartoon Yeontan, ending in an image of Tannie in the stars. Taehyung later announced the passing of Yeontan in late 2024.

🎨 The Culture of Tae

Beyond the spotlight, Taehyung finds solace and inspiration in various forms of art. As an avid photographer, he often shares his work under the pseudonym “Vante”, a nod to photographer Ante Badzim. His photos are quiet, thoughtful reflections of how he sees the world — tender, detailed, and deeply emotional.

He also enjoys video games, where he relaxes, explores, and shares small moments with fans in his own quiet way. For Taehyung, art isn’t just a hobby, but a reflection of his inner self. He doesn’t just create; he curates meaningful experiences.

His SoundCloud releases, like "Scenery" and "Winter Bear," blend his visuals and vocals. With heartfelt lyrics, ambient sounds, and self-shot visuals, these tracks revealed an introspective and poetic side of Taehyung. As a member of BTS, he brings depth to their music with his rich baritone and stands out as a captivating stage performer, known for his charisma and emotional expression.

🎶 The Voice of V: Layover Era

V released his first solo album, “Layover” on September 8, 2023.

Layover consists of six tracks in total - five tracks and a bonus track. From soulful ballads to sleek R&B rhythms, Layover captures V’s introspective journey. To fully appreciate the album's flow, Taehyung recommends listening to it in sequence from start to finish.

Tracklist:

• Love Me Again
• Rainy Days
• Slow Dancing
• Blue
• For Us
• Slow Dancing Piano

‘Love Me Again’ and ‘Rainy Days’ were pre-released on August 11, 2023. ’Slow Dancing’ is the Title Track of the album.

The entire album felt like a letter to the fans. During promotions, he appeared on variety shows charming audiences with his natural charisma. Taehyung stepped out of his comfort zone, quite literally, by donning a teddy bear costume and taking to the streets. Disguised and anonymous, he sought unfiltered reactions to his music, free from the influence of fame. The playful stunt revealed his sincere desire to connect through art on a purely human level, letting the music speak before the name. From Tiny Desk Korea to First Take, he proved that V, the artist was just as magnetic as V the idol. With each movement, each look, he reminded the world: he isn’t just singing the music. He *is* the music.

Some of the achievements the album received are:

• The highest first day sales first-day sales of any solo album in Hanteo history, at $2,101,974 copies.
• #1 on iTunes Top Albums chart in 65 regions. ‘Slow Dancing’ reached #1 on iTunes Top Songs in 75 regions.
• #2 on Billboard’s Top 25 K-Pop Albums of 2023.

💌 TaeTae’s Whispers

Taehyung speaks with his fans, listens to them, and comforts them like a friend. He appears spontaneously when he misses them either through his Instagram posts or a very short Weverse Lives or through his replies to fan posts. He creates a space that feels personal, safe, and full of love. He has the record of doing the 8 second short live where he just came to say "Hi" to his fans.

During his live, he asks fans how their day went, plays music, reads comments out loud, and even shows Yeontan curled up beside him. Taehyung being just Taehyung. In his replies to ARMY, he’s witty, playful, and thoughtful. When fans express sadness or insecurity, he gently reminds them of their worth. When they joke, he laughs along. Through the screen, he turns a million voices into a quiet, honest conversation.

"If home could be a person, it would feel like Taehyung."

In response to a fan's letter about Layover Anniversary project, he responded, "Hmm I was running in front of the military camp & I saw the pictures and I blushed from seeing it.

In another post, a fan told him that he's always in our thoughts.

Some of Taehyung's comforting words that gave warmth to fans:

🙏 Thank You! 💚

Thank you, Taehyung, for being a light in the quiet moments and a comfort in the loud ones. Your warmth, sincerity, and timeless love for your fans create a place where we can always feel safe and seen.

You teach us that even the smallest gestures — a smile, a word, a song can hold immense healing. We love you endlessly, just as you are.