After completing 18 months of mandatory military service in the South Korean army, BTS member V officially returned to civilian life last week. Throughout his time in the military, the singer -- whose real name is Kim Tae-hyung -- received overwhelming love and support from his fans.
According to an Allkpop report, V received over 4.5 million messages on Goondori, a popular fan community platform. It is a military service tracker used by South Korean soldiers, which also allows fans to send messages to enlisted individuals, including public figures such as celebrities, athletes, and creators.
As of June 9, 2025, a day before his official discharge, V became the first and only celebrity to cross 3 million messages on the platform.
The singer, who was released from mandatory military service on June 10, 2025, along with BTS leader RM, greeted fans and the media at a brief ceremony.
The duo stepped out in uniform at the Sports Park in Chuncheon, Gangwon, around 74 km from South Korean capital Seoul. While RM gave a saxophone performance for the people present at the location, V stood behind him holding bouquets.
Several pictures and videos of the two K-pop superstars from their military discharge went viral on social media.
V enlisted in December 2023 and served in the elite Counter-Terrorism Unit, also called the Special Duty Team (SDT) of the Ssangyong Military Police Special Task Force. The singer was promoted to the sergeant rank due to his exceptional service and dedication.
BTS plans to reconvene as a group sometime in 2025. Details about an official reunion are awaited.