BTS member V, real name Kim Tae-hyung, revealed during a Weverse livestream on August 12, that he has been experiencing hearing loss in his right ear for approximately two-and-a-half years, functioning at roughly thirty percent capacity compared to one hundred percent in his left ear, amid the group’s ongoing ‘ARIRANG’ world tour.
The Bottom Line
- The Disclosure: During an August 12 Weverse livestream, BTS’ V disclosed that his right ear operates at about 30 percent capacity compared to 100 percent in his left ear.
- Military Impact: The singer noted that the hearing loss worsened while he was completing his mandatory military service in South Korea, an issue he initially tried to dismiss as a matter of mental strength.
- Current Status: V is now receiving medical treatment and attending the hospital regularly, while bandmate Jungkook continues to perform through a shin injury on the ‘ARIRANG’ tour.
Unveiling the Reality Behind the ‘ARIRANG’ World Tour
Pop superstardom often hides physical toll behind stadium-sized pyrotechnics and immaculate choreography. When BTS launched their massive ‘ARIRANG’ world tour, following the completion of their mandatory South Korean military service by V and bandmate RM in June last year, the cultural machinery swung back into high gear. But the rigorous demands of global touring collided with personal health realities this week. Speaking to fans on a Weverse livestream on August 12, V pulled back the curtain on a quiet struggle he has carried for over two years.
“If the hearing in my left ear is at 100, it’s only about 30 in my right,” V stated, according to a translation by BBC News. The confession reframes the physical stakes of the group’s current live performances. V explained that the condition noticeably deteriorated during his military enlistment, a period where he initially tried to push through the symptoms by treating it as “a matter of mental strength” before finally consulting medical professionals. According to reporting by Rolling Stone, the artist is now actively managing the condition with prescribed medication and routine hospital visits.
Health Hurdles Across the Band’s Ranks
V is not the only member navigating physical adversity on the road. During the same livestream, Jungkook addressed his own ongoing health management as the tour marches through North America. The vocalist revealed he has been battling severe inflammation in his shin, noting that the condition is close to developing a stress fracture from microdamage to the bone.
This physical strain has forced adjustments on stage, with Jungkook performing seated during portions of recent concerts. The global trek recently wrapped up two nights at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium on August 10 and 11. The North American itinerary still has stops scheduled in Arlington, Toronto, and Chicago, culminating in a four-night residency at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium in September.
| Milestone / Event | Details & Locations |
|---|---|
| Current Tour Leg | North America (Baltimore, Arlington, Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles) |
| Recent Venue Dates | Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium (August 10–11) |
| Upcoming Major Run | Four-night stand at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium (September) |
| Scheduled Conclusion | Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan (March 16, 2027) |
Global Itineraries and Long-Term Sustainability
The international schedule remains punishing. Following the North American dates, the ‘ARIRANG’ tour pivots to Latin America, the South Pacific, Australia, and Asia, with a final curtain call currently slated for March 16, 2027, at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan. Maintaining stamina across a multi-continent stadium run requires meticulous physical upkeep, especially for a group whose energetic performances earned high critical praise, including a four-and-a-half-star review from NME during the opening night in Goyang, South Korea.
That commitment to longevity was underscored by RM during the Goyang shows, where he emphasized that decisions made by the group are intentionally designed to ensure they “can keep doing this for a long time.” Alongside the release of their fifth album, ARIRANG, earlier this year, the septet has continued to chart its own course—making waves by declining to submit the record to the Grammys following the introduction of the Best Asian Pop Music category, opting instead to let the music speak directly to their global fanbase, the ARMY.
As V and Jungkook balance intensive medical care with stadium schedules, the K-pop titans demonstrate that modern pop dominance requires transparency alongside spectacle. We want to hear from you: how do you feel these behind-the-scenes health disclosures change the way fans experience stadium tours? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
