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V’s hearing revealed
BTS member V revealed during a Weverse livestream with Jung Kook that his hearing in one ear is significantly weaker after living with the problem for more than two years.
“"If one ear is at about 100, I can only hear about 30 with the other,"”
V said, "I’ve never told ARMY about this before, but I think it’s been about two and a half years. My hearing has gotten worse," and he described the difference between his ears as "If one ear is at about 100, I can only hear about 30 with the other,".
He also said the issue worsened while he was completing his mandatory military service in South Korea, telling fans, "It got a little worse in the military, and since I was surrounded by people who exercised a lot, everyone said, 'It’s a matter of mental strength,'".
V said he is now taking medication and receiving medical care, adding, "I’m going to the hospital regularly," as the first time he spoke publicly to fans about the hearing problem.
The Korea Times reported that V discussed the condition for the first time to fans during the livestream, and GMA Network said the singer shared the details with ARMY for the first time on Weverse.
Jung Kook pushes back
During the same Weverse livestream, Jung Kook stressed the importance of consistently taking care of one’s health as V described how he had initially framed the worsening symptoms as something he could push through.
V said he had been surrounded by people who exercised a lot and that they told him it was a matter of mental strength, saying, "After that, I kind of convinced myself that it was a matter of mental strength."
Jung Kook immediately responded, "You shouldn’t do that," and V replied that he is now focusing on his health and attending hospital regularly.
GMA Network also said V admitted the problem became worse while he was carrying out his mandatory military service, and that he is now prioritizing his health and regularly seeking medical treatment.
The Korea Times reported that V said he is currently receiving medical treatment and that Jung Kook urged him not to rely on willpower alone.
Tour context and next stops
The hearing disclosure came as BTS continued its ARIRANG world tour, with multiple outlets tying the livestream to the group’s ongoing schedule in North America.
“"on the verge of a stress fracture,"”
Yonhap said the two members talked over a meal in the livestream after wrapping up back-to-back concerts in Baltimore, Maryland, as part of the North American leg of BTS' "Arirang" world tour, and it reported V was receiving hospital treatment for a hearing problem that left him able to hear at only about 30 percent capacity in his right ear.
Yonhap added that Jung Kook described a shin injury near his shin that he said was "on the verge of a stress fracture," and he said, "Although I wanted to run energetically on the stage today, pain forced me to hold back at times,".
For upcoming dates, Yonhap reported the band was scheduled to perform at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Aug. 15-16 and at Rogers Stadium in Toronto on Aug. 22-23.
GMA Network said BTS is set to visit Manila for three shows in March 2027, while Contactmusic said the ARIRANG world tour is due to wrap Philippines in March 2027.
