BTS member V, known as Kim Taehyung, touched fans’ hearts with a recent Weverse post on May 10, 2025. The post featured a photo of a sleepy golden retriever, stirring emotions among ARMYs worldwide. Many fans believe the image reflects V’s longing for his late dog, Yeontan, who passed away in December 2024. With V nearing the end of his military service, set to conclude on June 10, 2025, the post has sparked widespread love and support. The tender moment highlights V’s deep connection with his fans and his beloved pet.
Yeontan, a black-and-tan Pomeranian, was more than a pet to V. Introduced to fans during a 2017 livestream for Jin’s birthday, the fluffy dog became a beloved figure in BTS content. Yeontan appeared in V’s social media posts, vlogs, and even inspired visuals for V’s solo album, Layover, released in 2023. The dog’s presence brought joy to ARMYs, who adored his playful moments with V. Yeontan’s health struggles, including two unsuccessful heart surgeries, made his bond with V even more special.
On December 2, 2024, V announced Yeontan’s passing in an emotional Instagram post.
“To be honest, the reason why I’m posting this is because Yeontan recently left for a long journey to the stars. I worried about how to tell you this, but seeing as ARMY loved Yeontan so much up to now, I thought it was right for me to tell you, and that is how I ended up conveying the news like this.”
Fans flooded social media with tributes, expressing grief and love for Yeontan.
The recent Weverse post, showing a cozy golden retriever, left fans emotional. Some saw it as a subtle nod to Yeontan, with one fan writing on X,
“My love came with a cutie dog; maybe he wants to pet them. I don’t know, just a guess.”
Another fan commented,
The post reminded ARMYs of V’s love for animals and his ongoing grief.
V’s military service began on December 11, 2023, when he enlisted in the Special Duty Team. Despite his duties, he has stayed connected with fans through occasional updates. The May 10 post came as a surprise, delighting fans eager for his return. V and bandmate RM are both scheduled to complete their service in June 2025, marking a major moment for BTS fans. The group has been on hiatus as members fulfill their mandatory military obligations.
Yeontan’s legacy remains strong among ARMYs. In April 2025, Billboard named Yeontan the Most Beloved Celebrity Pet in a National Pet Day poll. The Pomeranian won with 94.56% of votes, surpassing pets of stars like Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande.
“BTS #V’s pet dog Yeontan has won ‘Most beloved pet in the world’ in a Billboard poll. Yeontan won with 94.56% of the votes.”
Fans celebrated, with one writing,
“Taehyung’s pet dog Yeontan has become a star in the sky, but he is still receiving a lot of love.”
V’s bond with Yeontan was evident in many moments. The dog featured in the music video for V’s song “Winter Bear” and appeared on stage during a Slow Dancing performance. Yeontan’s image graced the cover of Layover, and V even wore a T-shirt with his pet’s face during a fan meeting. These gestures showed how much Yeontan meant to him.
The Weverse post also coincided with excitement for V’s musical projects. In December 2024, V released “Winter Ahead”, a duet with Park Hyo Shin, and announced a collaboration with Bing Crosby’s estate for “White Christmas”. The animated video for “White Christmas” included a tribute to Yeontan, showing him among the stars.
“In the middle of working on this project, we got the tragic news of the passing of Yeontan. The team came up with the idea for the final scene to show Yeontan in the stars to honor his legacy.”
Fans have speculated about the timing of Yeontan’s passing. Some believe it occurred weeks before V’s December 2024 announcement, based on earlier cryptic Instagram posts. One fan noted on X,
“It happened 8 weeks ago didn’t it… the day he commented on this photo of Yeontan. My heart is aching.”
Others recalled V sharing BTS’ “Jamais Vu” with a caption about overcoming tough days.
V’s openness about his grief has deepened his connection with fans. His Weverse post, though simple, carried emotional weight. It reminded ARMYs of Yeontan’s impact and V’s love for his pet. Fans continue to share messages of support, with one writing,
“We will always have you in our hearts, Yeontan. Fly high, little angel.”
Another said,
“Thank you Yeontan for giving Taehyung so much love and joy through the years.”
As V prepares to return from military service, fans are eager to see him reunite with BTS. The group plans to resume activities in 2025, with all members expected to complete their service by mid-year. V’s recent post has heightened anticipation, while also serving as a reminder of his bond with Yeontan. The golden retriever image, whether a tribute or a moment of comfort, has left a lasting impression on ARMYs.
Credits: Weverse
