“When things get hard, stop for a while and look back and see how far you’ve come. Don’t forget how rewarding it is. You are the most beautiful flower, more than anyone else in this world.”
Profile
Full Name: Kim Taehyung (김태형)
Stage Name: V (뷔)
Born: December 30, 1995 – Daegu, South Korea
Role in BTS: Vocalist, Visual, Lead Dancer, Performer, Songwriter
Kim Taehyung (V) – Roles & Contributions in BTS
| Role | Key Contributions |
|---|---|
| Vocalist | Recognized for his deep, rich baritone voice that adds warmth and texture to BTS’s vocal line. Known for his smooth vocal tone and emotional delivery in ballads and soulful tracks. Has taken lead or prominent parts in songs such as Singularity, Stigma, and Inner Child. |
| Performer | Charismatic stage presence with a unique performance style that blends subtle emotional expression and strong physicality. Often praised for his ability to embody the concept or mood of a song through facial expressions and movement. |
| Songwriter & Composer | Credited in writing and composing several BTS songs, including Hold Me Tight and Blue & Grey. Released multiple self-composed solo tracks (Scenery, Winter Bear, Snow Flower) showcasing his lyrical sensitivity and melodic creativity. |
| Actor | Acting debut in 2016 K-drama Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth as Seok Han-sung. Contributed to OST It’s Definitely You with Jin. Continues to explore acting and variety entertainment appearances. |
| Visual & Creative Contributor | Known as one of BTS’s most influential style icons. His artistic direction extends to photography (released his own photos for Scenery MV and BTS photo exhibitions). Often influences BTS’s visual concepts through styling input. |
| Global Cultural Influencer | Strong individual brand presence, especially in luxury fashion. Global ambassador for Celine, Cartier, and SimInvest, contributing to BTS’s image as cultural leaders. His personal brand merges music, art, fashion, and lifestyle. |
| Team Role | As BTS’s “hidden member” before debut, he built a mystique that contributed to the group’s reveal strategy. Known within BTS for uplifting members with humor, warmth, and emotional support, especially during challenging times. |
Kim Taehyung (V) – Career Timeline
| Year / Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1995-12-30 | Born in Daegu, South Korea. Grew up in Geochang County, South Gyeongsang Province. |
| 2011 | Secretly auditioned for BigHit Entertainment after accompanying a friend to auditions — became the only person from his area to pass. |
| 2011–2013 (Pre-debut) | Trainee under BigHit Entertainment. Kept as a “hidden member” until just before debut; trained in vocals, dance, and performance. Appeared in concept teasers without being officially announced. |
| 2013-06-13 | Officially debuted with BTS as a vocalist with the single album 2 Cool 4 Skool and title track “No More Dream”. Known for his deep, unique voice from debut. |
| 2014 | First BTS songwriting credit for Hold Me Tight from The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt.1. Participated in BTS’s rise to wider recognition in South Korea. |
| 2016 | Acting debut as Seok Han-sung in the historical K-drama Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth. Contributed OST It’s Definitely You with Jin. |
| 2018 | Released self-composed song Scenery on SoundCloud, breaking SoundCloud records for fastest song to reach multiple streaming milestones. |
| 2019 | Released Winter Bear (English-language self-composed track) and photography-based music video. |
| 2020 | Co-wrote Blue & Grey for BTS’s album BE, earning critical praise for emotional depth. Released Snow Flower (with Peakboy) as a surprise gift to fans. |
| 2022-12-30 | Made his official return to acting in variety/entertainment formats (In the SOOP: Friendcation). Continued releasing covers and OST contributions. |
| 2023-09-08 | Released first solo album Layover, featuring title track Slow Dancing and other singles Love Me Again and Rainy Days. Album topped charts globally and broke multiple records for K-pop soloists. |
| 2023-09–2024 | Undertook Layover promotional activities, including live performances, music videos, and global interviews. Established himself as a strong solo brand in fashion, music, and media. |
| 2024 | Continued brand ambassadorships (Celine, Cartier, SimInvest). Active in OST projects and ambassador campaigns during BTS’s group hiatus. |
| 2025 | Expected to release new solo music while continuing individual brand and acting ventures during military hiatus period. |
Kim Taehyung (V) – Detailed Achievements & Contributions
1. BTS-Related Achievements
- Billboard Hot 100 & Billboard 200 – Multiple chart-toppers with BTS, including Dynamite, Butter, Life Goes On, and Permission to Dance.
- GRAMMY Nominations – Nominated with BTS for “Best Pop Duo/Group Performance” (2021–2023).
- Global Stadium Tours – Performed to millions worldwide across tours like Love Yourself, Speak Yourself, Permission to Dance on Stage.
- UN & Cultural Diplomacy – Participated in BTS’s 2018, 2020, and 2021 UNGA speeches and performances as South Korean cultural envoys.
- Streaming Milestones – Contributed to BTS’s status as the most-streamed group on Spotify and YouTube history.
Sources:
Billboard
GRAMMY
United Nations
2. Songwriting & Production
- Credited with co-writing several BTS songs including:
- Stigma (Wings, 2016) – co-writer and co-producer.
- Hold Me Tight (The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt.1, 2015) – lyric and melody contributions.
- 4 O’Clock (2017, SoundCloud) – co-composed and performed with RM.
- Blue & Grey (BE, 2020) – originally intended for solo work, later adapted for BTS’s album.
- Known for lyrical depth blending personal emotion with poetic metaphors.
- Frequently contributes melody lines and vocal arrangements to group songs.
Sources:
KOMCA
BIGHIT MUSIC
3. Global Impact
- Fashion Influence – Consistently listed on best-dressed lists; considered a major trendsetter in menswear globally.
- Art & Culture Promotion – Frequently shares and promotes art, photography, and jazz music, sparking global fan interest in niche cultural fields.
- Tourism Impact – Known for boosting interest in places featured in his work (e.g., locations from Winter Bear, Scenery).
- Global Fan Engagement – His “V-cut” hair trend, outfits, and mannerisms often go viral, creating global social media movements.
4. Major Awards (with BTS)
- Billboard Music Awards – Multiple wins including “Top Social Artist” (2017–2021) and “Top Duo/Group” (2019, 2021).
- American Music Awards – “Artist of the Year” (2021).
- MTV VMAs – Multiple awards for Best Group, Best K-Pop, and Best Pop.
- Seoul Music Awards, Golden Disc Awards, Mnet Asian Music Awards – Multiple Daesangs (Grand Prizes).
Sources:
Billboard Music Awards
American Music Awards
Mnet
5. Major Awards (Solo)
- MAMA Awards 2023 – “Best OST” (Christmas Tree).
- Melon Music Awards 2023 – Record-breaking iTunes No.1 for Christmas Tree across 118 regions.
- Circle Chart Music Awards – Digital Bonsang (Christmas Tree).
- Asia Artist Awards – Popularity Award, Best OST (Christmas Tree).
Sources:
Mnet
Circle Chart
6. Cultural & Intellectual Contributions
- Introduced jazz and classical influences into K-pop mainstream with songs like Stigma, Singularity, and Slow Dancing.
- Elevated visual storytelling in music videos through narrative symbolism and art-inspired imagery.
- Advocated for self-reflection, inner growth, and healing through his lyricism.
- Recognized for reviving interest in traditional Korean elements via fashion and media appearances.
Sources:
Rolling Stone
The Korea Herald
7. Individual Recognitions – Media & Industry
- “Most Handsome Face” rankings (TC Candler, multiple years).
- Featured in GQ and Vogue for fashion influence.
- Consistently ranked among top K-pop idols in Gallup Korea’s annual idol polls.
Sources:
TC Candler
GQ
8. Music Industry Honours
- KOMCA Registered Lyricist/Composer – Holds multiple songwriting credits.
- Holds record for fastest OST to reach #1 on iTunes in most countries (Sweet Night, 118 regions).
- First Korean solo artist to top iTunes in over 100 countries with two different songs (Sweet Night and Christmas Tree).
Sources:
KOMCA
iTunes Charts
Kim Taehyung (V) – Solo Works & Projects
1. Early Solo Contributions within BTS Albums
- “Stigma” (Wings, 2016) – First full solo song on a BTS album. A neo-soul/jazz-infused track that showcased V’s falsetto range and emotional depth. The lyrics explore themes of guilt and regret, delivered with raw vulnerability.
- “Singularity” (Love Yourself: Tear, 2018) – Served as the comeback trailer for the album. Known for its sultry R&B style, intricate choreography, and art-heavy music video. The track solidified V’s position as an experimental vocalist within BTS.
- “Inner Child” (Map of the Soul: 7, 2020) – A hopeful, uplifting song addressed to his younger self, blending pop-rock and orchestral arrangements. V’s vocal performance here highlights his storytelling ability.
2. Self-Composed & Self-Released Tracks
- “Scenery” (2019) – A self-composed ballad with poetic lyrics, inspired by his love for photography. Broke SoundCloud records upon release.
- “Winter Bear” (2019) – His first English-language self-composed track, with a music video entirely shot by V.
- “Snow Flower” feat. Peakboy (2020) – A holiday-themed R&B ballad released during BTS’s winter break, symbolizing warmth and comfort during challenging times.
- “Blue & Grey” (BE, 2020) – Originally written in English for his solo mixtape but later included in BTS’s album. Lyrics discuss burnout, sadness, and the emotional impact of the pandemic.
3. OST Contributions
- “Sweet Night” (Itaewon Class, 2020) – Self-written, produced, and performed. An acoustic indie-pop ballad that topped iTunes charts in over 118 countries — a then-world record for most #1’s by a song on iTunes.
- “Christmas Tree” (Our Beloved Summer, 2021) – A heartfelt winter ballad with orchestral strings. Achieved strong streaming numbers and entered the Billboard Hot 100, making V one of the few K-pop soloists to do so.
4. First Official Solo Album – Layover (2023)
- Released September 8, 2023 under BigHit Music.
- A six-track project blending R&B, soul, and jazz influences, produced with Min Hee-jin of ADOR.
- Featured title track “Slow Dancing” along with “Rainy Days”, “Love Me Again”, “Blue”, and bonus piano version of Slow Dancing.
- The album broke multiple records for a K-pop soloist:
- Fastest K-pop soloist album to surpass 2 million sales on Circle Chart.
- Set Spotify records for highest single-day streams for a K-pop solo debut.
- Music videos for Slow Dancing, Love Me Again, and Rainy Days were highly praised for their cinematic and art-house style.
5. Fashion & Artistic Collaborations
- Celine – Attended the brand’s Paris fashion shows, appeared in campaigns, and modeled for editorial shoots.
- Cartier – Became a global ambassador in 2022, fronting the Panthère de Cartier campaign.
- SimInvest – Selected as brand ambassador for the Indonesian investment company in 2023.
- His collaborations often merge his music aesthetic with fashion and visual art concepts.
6. Unreleased & Anticipated Works
- Previously confirmed to be working on a solo mixtape before Layover.
- Rumored collaborations with Western R&B artists remain unreleased.
Summary Table – Kim Taehyung (V) Solo Works & Projects
| Year | Work | Type | Notes | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Stigma | BTS Album Solo | Neo-soul/jazz track from Wings | BIGHIT MUSIC |
| 2018 | Singularity | BTS Album Solo | R&B comeback trailer for Love Yourself: Tear | BIGHIT MUSIC |
| 2020 | Inner Child | BTS Album Solo | Pop-rock/orchestral uplifting track | BIGHIT MUSIC |
| 2019 | Scenery | Self-released | SoundCloud ballad inspired by photography | SoundCloud |
| 2019 | Winter Bear | Self-released | First English self-composed song | SoundCloud |
| 2020 | Snow Flower (feat. Peakboy) | Self-released | Holiday R&B ballad | SoundCloud |
| 2020 | Blue & Grey | BTS Album Track | Emotional pop ballad from BE | BIGHIT MUSIC |
| 2020 | Sweet Night | OST – Itaewon Class | Record-breaking iTunes chart success | Soompi |
| 2021 | Christmas Tree | OST – Our Beloved Summer | Entered Billboard Hot 100 | Billboard |
| 2023 | Layover | Solo Album | First official solo project; 2M+ sales | Spotify |
| 2023 | Slow Dancing | Album Title Track | Jazz-infused R&B single | Spotify |
| 2023 | Rainy Days | Album Track | Lo-fi R&B ballad | Spotify |
| 2023 | Love Me Again | Album Track | Emotional retro-soul track | Spotify |
Brand Ambassadorships
Celine
- Appointed as global brand ambassador in March 2023.
- He quickly became a fixture in pop-up events, magazine campaigns—including ELLE Korea—and fashion lineups in Seoul and Tokyo.
- Fans affectionately dubbed him the “Celine Boy”, praising his seamless fit with the brand’s modern and elegant aesthetic K-POP NEWSWIREReddit.
Cartier
- Became the global ambassador for Cartier’s Panthère de Cartier collection in July 2023.
- Lauded by Cartier for embodying the panther’s aura—mystique meets elegance. Pieces he showcased reportedly sold out immediately, demonstrating immense demand K-POP NEWSWIREticketfairy.comReddit.
Compose Coffee
- Named brand ambassador in December 2023.
- Following the partnership, Compose Coffee’s app soared from 6M (2022) to over 15M subscribers by September 2024. Product sales spiked 72% in just two days after the campaign launch! Fans dubbed this success “The KIM TAEHYUNG effect.” Sportskeeda.
SimInvest (Investment Platform)
- Joined this Indonesian investment app as ambassador in early 2023, symbolizing financial empowerment and appealing to Gen Z and millennials K-POP NEWSWIRE.
Seoul Tourism
- Appointed Honorary Tourism Ambassador of Seoul in mid-2023, starring in the “Seoul Edition 23: New Tradition” global campaign to attract visitors to the city K-POP NEWSWIRE.
Coca-Cola Korea (Coke Zero)
- Selected as brand ambassador for Coca-Cola Korea’s “Best Coke Ever” campaign, announced July 31, 2025.
- The teaser campaign—highlighting his signature energy and style—surpassed 10 million views within 19 hours, inspiring a surge in fan-made merchandise such as keychains, photocards, and digital art. SoompiFAN N STARSportskeeda
- However, the endorsement sparked controversy due to Coca-Cola’s presence on the BDS “boycott” list, prompting debate among fans about the ethics of the partnership. The Express TribuneIndiatimes.
The “C-Club” Phenomenon
- Fans highlight that every major brand V endorses begins with the letter C—Celine, Cartier, Compose Coffee, Coca-Cola—jokingly referring to him as a “C-Brand Collector Idol.” Sportskeeda.
Selling Power Spotlight
- Following his military discharge in June 2025, items he wore—like a $13,500 Cartier watch, an orange designer chair, a comfort Seoul bear keychain, and even a book—sold out almost instantly, reinforcing his extraordinary influence on consumer behavior. Indiatimes.
Summary Table
| Brand / Campaign | Role / Ambassadorship | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Celine | Global Ambassador (Mar 2023–) | Fashion campaigns, “Celine Boy” aesthetic |
| Cartier | Panthère de Cartier Ambassador (Jul 2023–) | Jewelry campaigns; instant sell-outs |
| Compose Coffee | Brand Ambassador (Dec 2023–) | App users from 6M → 15M; surging sales |
| SimInvest | Ambassador (2023–) | Investment platform appeal |
| Seoul Tourism | Honorary Ambassador (2023–) | City-wide campaign, “Seoul My Soul” |
| Coca-Cola Korea (Coke Zero) | Ambassador (Jul 2025–) | Viral campaign, fan art trend; some backlash |
| Iconic Influence | “C-Brand Collector” | Fans coined nickname based on endorsement pattern |
| Midas Touch | Unofficial Influence (Jun 2025–) | Items he uses sell out instantly |
In short, V’s ambassadorships span luxury fashion (Celine, Cartier), lifestyle and local brands (Compose Coffee, SimInvest, Coca-Cola Korea), and regional pride (Seoul Tourism). His endorsements consistently deliver record-breaking results and cultural impact
Unique Facts
- Coined the phrase “I purple you,” symbolizing trust and love in BTS fandom Wikipedia
- Holds Instagram world records for fastest to 1M and 10M followers Wikipedia
- “Layover” broke all-time solo album sales records and played during his military enlistment
KOMCA Credits (Song writing & Composition)
- A total of 18 songs credited, both group and solo compositions, reflecting consistent artistic involvement
Individual Awards & Honors
- iMBC Awards 2025: Best Solo
- Fact Music Awards: Best Music – Fall & Spring (solo categories)
- Korea Grand Music Awards 2025: Trend of June: K-POP SOLO
Summary Table
| Category | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Profile | Vocalist, Visual, Performer; songwriter and composer |
| Career Timeline | Debut (2013) → Solo tracks (2019) → Layover (2023) → Military & Awards (2025) |
| Songwriting & KOMCA | 18 credited songs |
| Global Impact | Layover sales, charting; streaming milestones; cultural symbolism |
| Awards | iMBC, Fact Music, KGMA Trend, Cultural Merit orders |
| Solo Projects | Layover album; SoundCloud releases Scenery, Winter Bear |
| Brand Ambassadorships | Celine, Cartier, Compose Coffee, SimInvest, Seoul Tourism, Coke Zero |
| Unique Facts | Instagram world records, “I purple you” origin |
