BTS Star V Reveals Hearing Loss in Right Ear

South Korean singer Kim Tae-hyung, better known by his stage name V, has revealed that he has been experiencing significant hearing loss in his right ear and is currently undergoing treatment.

Speaking during a recent livestream, the BTS member said he had been dealing with the problem for more than two years. According to V, his hearing in the right ear has fallen to around 30 per cent compared with his left ear. He also said the condition became more severe while he was completing his mandatory military service, which ended in June 2025.

V acknowledged that he did not initially take the problem seriously. He had believed that he could manage the situation through mental strength and did not immediately seek extensive medical attention. As the issue persisted, however, he began taking medication regularly and maintaining contact with a hospital in accordance with medical advice.

The singer did not provide a specific diagnosis or explain what had caused the deterioration in hearing. He also did not indicate how long his treatment is expected to continue. His comments therefore offer limited detail about the underlying medical condition, although they make clear that he is receiving professional care.

The disclosure comes as BTS has resumed group activities following a lengthy period during which its members completed their mandatory military duties in South Korea. The country requires most able-bodied men to fulfil military service, and BTS members have completed their respective duties over recent years.

The group reunited this year after more than four years away from a full-scale world tour. All seven members have now completed their mandatory 18-month military service or equivalent duties, allowing the group to return to joint musical activities.

V said he intends to continue taking part in BTS’s ongoing Arirang World Tour while also receiving treatment for his hearing problem. The tour marks a significant stage in the group’s return to collective activities after its extended break.

For a performer such as V, hearing is closely connected to professional work. Singers rely on accurate hearing to follow melodies, maintain pitch and respond to musical cues, particularly during live performances. However, V has indicated that he is continuing his professional commitments while addressing the health issue.

His disclosure has also drawn attention to the importance of seeking medical advice when hearing difficulties persist. Hearing loss can have a range of possible causes, and its treatment depends on the underlying condition. In V’s case, no further medical details have been publicly disclosed beyond his account of reduced hearing in the right ear and his ongoing treatment.

For now, the BTS star is balancing the demands of the group’s international tour with his medical care. He has not suggested that the hearing problem will prevent him from continuing his activities, but his decision to seek treatment represents a change from his earlier approach of largely ignoring the issue.