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V (singer) facts for kids

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V
V in the Oval Office of the White House, May 31, 2022 (cropped).jpg
V in May 2022
Born
Kim Tae-hyung

(1995-12-30) December 30, 1995 (age 29)
Daegu, South Korea
Education Korean Arts High School
Global Cyber University
Occupation
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Honours ROK Order of Cultural Merit Hwa-gwan (5th Class) ribbon.PNG Hwagwan Order of Cultural Merit (2018)
Musical career
Genres
Instruments Vocals
Years active 2013 (2013)–present
Labels Big Hit
Korean name
Hangul
김태형
Hanja
金泰亨
Revised Romanization Gim Taehyeong
McCune–Reischauer Kim T'aehyŏng
Stage name
Hangul
Revised Romanization Bwi
McCune–Reischauer Pwi
Signature
BTS' V Signature.svg

Kim Tae-hyung (Hangul: 김태형; born December 30, 1995), known as V (Hangul: ), is a South Korean singer and songwriter. He is a member of the famous boy band BTS. Since joining the band in 2013, V has released three solo songs: "Stigma" (2016), "Singularity" (2018), and "Inner Child" (2020). All of these songs were popular in South Korea.

Beyond his work with BTS, V also started acting. He appeared in the 2016 TV show Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth. He also sang a song for the show's soundtrack called "It's Definitely You". In 2019, he released his first independent song, "Scenery", which he wrote himself. V officially started his solo music career in 2023. He released singles like "Love Me Again" and "Rainy Days". His first solo album, Layover, came out on September 8, 2023. It included another hit song, "Slow Dancing".

Early Life and School

V was born Kim Tae-hyung on December 30, 1995, in Daegu, South Korea. He grew up in Geochang County. He is the oldest of three children, with a younger brother and sister.

V first dreamed of becoming a singer when he was in elementary school. His father supported him, and V started taking saxophone lessons in middle school to help him pursue music. He later became a trainee at Big Hit Entertainment after a successful audition in Daegu.

After finishing Korean Arts High School in 2014, V went to Global Cyber University. He graduated in August 2020 with a degree in Broadcasting and Entertainment. In 2021, he continued his studies at Hanyang Cyber University.

V's Music Journey

Starting with BTS in 2013

V (Kim Tae-hyung) at the Jeonju Vivid Rock Festival in August 2013 02
V in August 2013, when BTS first started.

Before BTS officially debuted, V was a "secret member." Fans didn't know about him because his agency wanted to surprise everyone. He later said this made him feel lonely because he worried he might not be part of the group. On June 13, 2013, V officially debuted as a member of BTS. They performed their song "No More Dream" from their first album, 2 Cool 4 Skool.

V first helped write music for BTS on their 2015 album, The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 1. He co-wrote and produced "Hold Me Tight" and wrote lyrics for "Fun Boyz". For their next album, The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 2, V's melody was used for the song "Run". He also wrote and composed his first solo song, "Stigma," for BTS' 2016 album Wings.

In May 2018, V's second solo song, "Singularity", was released. It was a trailer for BTS' album Love Yourself: Tear. Many music critics praised "Singularity" for its unique sound and V's singing.

On October 24, 2018, V and the other BTS members received the Hwagwan Order of Cultural Merit medal. This award was given by the President of South Korea, Moon Jae-in, for their efforts in spreading Korean culture around the world.

V and bandmate J-Hope worked with Swedish singer Zara Larsson on "A Brand New Day". This song was for the BTS World mobile game soundtrack. It became a number one hit on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart. V also worked with Jimin on the song "Friends," which was later used in the 2021 Marvel movie Eternals. He also helped write his third solo song, "Inner Child," for BTS' 2020 album Map of the Soul: 7.

In July 2021, V and his bandmates were named Special Presidential Envoys for Future Generations and Culture by South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Their role was to help lead global discussions for future generations and strengthen South Korea's standing in the world.

Solo Projects and Acting

V (Kim Tae-hyung) at The Mood For Love Concert in Kobe in March 2016 03
V performing in Kobe, Japan, in March 2016.

In 2016, V started his acting career in the historical drama Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth. He used his real name, Kim Tae-hyung, for this role. He also sang a duet called "It's Definitely You" with bandmate Jin for the show's soundtrack. To celebrate BTS' fourth anniversary, V released "4 O'Clock" on June 8, 2017. He co-produced this song with bandmate RM.

V released his first independent song, "Scenery," on January 30, 2019, through the BTS SoundCloud page. V wrote and composed this ballad and even took the photo for its cover art. The song quickly became very popular, reaching 100 million streams in just over two weeks. Seven months later, V released his second solo song, "Winter Bear," which was his first song entirely in English. He also directed its music video, which was posted on BTS' YouTube channel.

In 2020, V sang the indie pop song "Sweet Night" for the soundtrack of the drama Itaewon Class. This song, which he wrote and produced, was well-received and debuted at number two on Billboard's Digital Songs chart in the United States. On December 25, he released a Christmas song called "Snow Flower" featuring Peakboy. Another holiday song, "Christmas Tree," followed in December 2021 for the TV series Our Beloved Summer. This song became V's first solo entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, reaching number 79.

In 2022, V appeared in the Disney+ reality series In the Soop: Friendcation. He starred alongside his friends Peakboy, Park Seo-joon, Choi Woo-shik, and Park Hyung-sik. In February 2023, he was in another reality show, Jinny's Kitchen, a cooking and travel show on Amazon Prime Video. The next month, V became a brand ambassador for the Indonesian company SimInvest and a global ambassador for the French luxury brand Celine. In July, he also became a brand ambassador for Cartier.

His independent songs "Scenery," "Winter Bear," and "Snow Flower" were officially released on digital music platforms on August 28, 2023. This happened just before his first solo album, Layover, was released on September 8. Layover set a new record for K-pop solo artists, selling 2.1 million copies in its first week. In the US, it reached number two on the Billboard 200 chart, making V one of the highest-charting Korean solo artists.

V's Artistic Style

V is known for his deep, "husky" baritone singing voice. Critics often praise his wide vocal range. His performance of "Stigma" especially showed off his unique voice and high notes. On the song "Singularity," his voice was noted for setting the mood for the entire album. Many people have said that V's lower vocal range is a key part of BTS's music. V's music style is greatly influenced by his love for jazz and classical music.

As a performer, V is known for his "duality." This means he can show many different emotions on stage. During the Love Yourself: Speak Yourself World Tour, his movements during "Singularity" were described as very "precise and deliberate." V is also good at using cameras during concerts to create subtle expressions.

V's Influence and Popularity

V created the phrase "I purple you" during a BTS fan meeting in November 2016. Since then, the color purple has become a special symbol for BTS and their fans. UNICEF even used this phrase in their anti-bullying campaign with BTS.

In 2018, a study showed that "V" was the most-searched keyword related to K-pop in South Korea for five years. In a survey by Gallup Korea, V was chosen as the fourth most-liked idol in 2019, moving up from ninth place in 2018. In 2021, he was the most popular Korean celebrity in Japan for 28 weeks in a row.

Many other artists have said that V is an inspiration and a role model for them. These include members from groups like The Boyz, Golden Child, Ateez, and Tomorrow X Together.

V's Personal Life

Since 2018, V has lived in Hannam-dong, Seoul, South Korea, with his bandmates. In July 2019, he bought his own apartment.

Health Updates

In October 2018, during a concert in Paris, V had some difficulty singing due to an illness. In October 2021, his agency announced that he would not be able to do all the choreography during their Permission to Dance on Stage concerts because of a calf injury. He remained seated while singing during those shows.

Military Service

On November 22, 2023, Big Hit announced that V, along with bandmates RM, Jimin, and Jungkook, had started the process for their mandatory military service. He officially enlisted on December 11, 2023. After completing his training, he was assigned to the Special Task Force of the Military Police Corps on February 8, 2024.

Discography

Studio Albums

List of albums, showing selected details and chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
KOR
CAN
FRA
GER
ITA
JPN
JPN
Hot
NZ
UK
Dig.
US
Layover 1 39 6 4 12 2 2 3 1 2

Singles

As Lead Artist

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
KOR
KOR
Billb.
CAN
HUN
JPN Hot
NZ
Hot
UK
US
US World
WW
"It's Definitely You" (Hangul: 죽어도 너야)
(with Jin)
2016 34 15 8 Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth Original Soundtrack
"Scenery" (Hangul: 풍경) 2019 3 non-album single
"Winter Bear"
"Sweet Night" 2020 14 19 1 34 Itaewon Class Original Soundtrack
"Snow Flower"
(featuring Peakboy)
2 non-album single
"Christmas Tree" 2021 18 25 82 1 29 6 79 51 Our Beloved Summer Original Soundtrack
"Love Me Again" 2023 22 7 91 76 5 96 1 12 Layover
"Rainy Days" 56 21 91 7 16
"Slow Dancing" 24 9 60 26 5 24 51 4
"Fri(end)s" 2024 101 38 38 1 13 65 5 non-album single
"Winter Ahead"
(with Park Hyo-shin)
70 23 4 86 99 33
"White Christmas" (Remix)
(with Bing Crosby)
180 13 93 72
"—" means the song did not chart or was not released in that area.

As Featured Artist

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
CAN
Dig.

JPN
Dig.
NZ
Hot
UK
Dig.
US
Dig.
WW
"Wherever U R"
(Umi featuring V)
2023 10 9 3 6 5 99 Non-album single

Other Charted Songs

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
KOR
KOR Hot
CAN
Dig.

HUN
JPN
Dig.
JPN
Hot
UK
Dig.
US
Dig.
US World
WW
"Stigma" 2016 26 8 22 1 Wings
"Intro: Singularity" 54 10 40 23 34 44 1 Love Yourself: Tear
"Inner Child" 2020 24 19 30 7 22 9 1 Map of the Soul: 7
"Blue" 2023 144 22 13 100 89 12 89 Layover
"For Us" 151 27 15 85 49 113
"Slow Dancing" (Piano version) 19
"Slow Dancing" (FNRK remix) 28 Slow Dancing (Remixes)
"Slow Dancing" (Cautious Clay remix) 32
"Fri(end)s" (Instrumental) 2024 16 Fri(end)s (Remixes)
"Fri(end)s" (Sped Up) 32
"Fri(end)s" (Slowed Down) 34
"Winter Ahead" (Silent Carol version)
(with Park Hyo-shin)
31 Non-album songs
"Winter Ahead" (Instrumental)
(with Park Hyo-shin)
"White Christmas" (Remix Instrumental)
(with Bing Crosby)
23
"Winter Ahead" (Yun Seok-cheol Trio version)
(with Park Hyo-shin)
24
"—" means the song did not chart or was not released in that area.

Other Songs

List of other songs released, showing year, other performing artist(s), and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"95 Graduation" 2014 Jimin Non-album releases
"4 O'Clock" 2017 RM

Writing Credits

V has helped write many songs. Here are some of them:

Songs V has helped write, with the artist, album, and year
Song Artist(s) Album Year
"4 O'Clock" RM and V Non-album releases 2017
"95 Graduation" Jimin and V 2014
"Blue & Grey" BTS Be 2020
"Boyz with Fun" BTS The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 1 2015
"Hold Me Tight" BTS The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 1 2015
"In the Soop" BTS Non-album release 2020
"Inner Child" BTS Map of the Soul: 7 2020
"Introduction: Youth" BTS Youth 2016
"Outro: Circle Room Cypher" BTS 2 Cool 4 Skool 2013
"Run" BTS The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 2 2015
"Run" (Alternative Mix) BTS The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever 2016
"Run" (Ballad Mix) BTS The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever 2016
"Scenery" V Non-album releases 2019
"Snow Flower" V and Peakboy 2020
"Stigma" BTS Wings 2016
"Sweet Night" V Itaewon Class Original Soundtrack 2020
"Winter Bear" V Non-album release 2019

Videography

Music Videos

Music videos V has released or appeared in
Title Year Director(s) Description
"Singularity Comeback trailer" 2018 Yong-seok Choi (Lumpens) V sings and dances in a dark room with theater masks. He also appears with flowers and thorns, and interacts with water.
"Winter Bear" 2019 V A video with clips of V exploring cities like Los Angeles and Paris during BTS' tour. It includes shots of animals and landscapes taken by V.
"Sweet Night" 2020 Unknown Features scenes from the show Itaewon Class. V's voice is heard, but he does not appear in the video.
"Christmas Tree" 2021 Features footage from the show Our Beloved Summer. V's voice is heard, but he does not appear in the video.
"Love Me Again" 2023 Filmed in a cave in Mallorca. V sings in shiny clothes, surrounded by old TV screens showing the lyrics.
"Rainy Days" Shin Dongle V spends a "gloomy" day at home. He is shown relaxing, cooking with his dog, watching cartoons, and working in his art studio.
"Slow Dancing" V goes on a road trip with friends to a sunny beach. They swim, dance, and watch the night sky from a yacht. The video ends with V and his dog, Yeontan.
"Blue" A black and white video where V searches for someone. He knocks on an apartment door and makes phone calls, but gets no answer. He looks for a spare key and then sits on a swing, looking sad.
"For Us" This video shows outtakes and behind-the-scenes moments from V's other music videos, made to look like an old home video.
"Fri(end)s" 2024 Samuel Bradley V is shown alone, then surrounded by happy couples. He gets hit by a car. The video then repeats, but this time V is with his girlfriend, and the other couples are fighting. He gets hit by a car again and wakes up next to himself.
  • V also appeared in BTS Wings Short Film #3 Stigma, a short film released in September 2016 to promote BTS' fourth album Wings.

Filmography

1117 V (BTS) Dispatch Photo Shoot LA (4)
V in a photoshoot for D Icon magazine, November 2017.

Television Shows

V's TV appearances
Year Title Role Notes
2014 Show! Music Core Himself Host, with Kim So-hyun
2015 Music Bank Host, with Park Bo-gum and Himchan
Show! Music Core Host, with Zico and Kim So-hyun
2016 Celebrity Bromance Season 1, episodes 1–4; with Kim Min-jae
Inkigayo Host, with J-Hope, Moonbyul, and Wheein
2016–2017 Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth Seok Han-sung Supporting role
2017 Music Bank (Singapore Special) Himself Host, with Park Bo-gum and Irene
Inkigayo Super Concert in Daejeon Host, with Jisoo and Jinyoung
2022 In the Soop: Friendcation Cast member
2023 Jinny's Kitchen Prime Video exclusive series; cast member
Jinny's Kitchen: Team Building

Music Video Appearances

Title Year Other Performer(s) Director Description
"Love Wins All" 2024 IU Um Tae-hwa In a world where people are hunted by floating Cubes, IU and V play a couple on the run. They find a camcorder that shows them a happier reality. The video shows them pretending to have a romantic dinner and taking wedding photos before they are found by a Cube.

Awards and Recognitions

Awards V has won or been nominated for
Award Ceremony Year Category Nominee(s)/Work(s) Result
APAN Star Awards 2020 Best OST "Sweet Night" Won
2022 "Christmas Tree" Nominated
Asia Artist Awards 2023 Popularity Award – Actor V Nominated
Popularity Award – Male Singer Nominated
Circle Chart Music Awards 2024 Artist of the Year – Album Layover Nominated
DDU Korean Drama Awards 2022 Best OST "Christmas Tree" Won
The Fact Music Awards 2023 Best Music – Fall "Slow Dancing" Won
2024 Best Music - Spring "Fri(end)s" Won
Hanteo Music Awards 2024 Artist of the Year V Won
Global Artist Award – Africa Won
Global Artist Award – Europe Won
Global Artist Award – Asia Nominated
Global Artist Award – North America Nominated
Global Artist Award – Oceania Nominated
Global Artist Award – South America Nominated
iHeartRadio Music Awards 2024 Favorite Debut Album Layover Won
Korea First Brand Awards 2024 Male Idol Variety Star V Won
Korea Grand Music Awards 2024 Trend of the Year K-pop Solo V Won
MAMA Awards 2022 Best OST "Christmas Tree" Nominated
Song of the Year Nominated
2023 Album of the Year Layover Longlisted
Artist of the Year V Longlisted
Best Male Artist Nominated
Best Vocal Performance – Male Solo "Love Me Again" Nominated
Song of the Year Longlisted
2024 Fans' Choice Top 10 - Male V Won
Melon Music Awards 2017 Best OST "It's Definitely You" Nominated
2023 Millions Top 10 Layover Nominated
Seoul International Drama Awards 2022 Outstanding Korean Drama OST "Christmas Tree" Nominated
Soompi Awards 2018 Best Idol Actor V Won
2019 Best Choreography "Singularity" Won
Seoul Music Awards 2024 Main Award (Bonsang) V Won
Fan Choice of the Year Won
Hallyu Special Award Nominated
Popularity Award Nominated
UK Music Video Awards 2024 Best Pop Video – International "Fri(end)s" Nominated

State Honors

Honors V has received
Country or Organization Year Honor or Award
National Tax Service Gyeonggi-do 2022 Conscientious taxpayer from Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do

World Records

World records held by V
Publication Year World Record
Guinness World Records 2021 Fastest time to reach 1 million followers on Instagram
Fastest time to reach 10 million followers on Instagram

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: V (cantante) para niños

kids search engine
V (singer) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.