BTS V aka Kim Taehyung shared his efforts to lose weight before his military discharge, prompting fans to express support and concern for his health. The idol revealed he dropped from 80kg to 66kg to “look good” for fans, but ARMYs urged him to prioritize well-being over beauty standards.
On June 10, BTS members RM and V (Kim Taehyung) were officially discharged from their mandatory South Korean military service. During a celebratory Weverse livestream hosted by BigHit Entertainment, V opened up about his physical transformation during enlistment. He admitted gaining weight in the military, reaching 80kg, but worked hard to slim down to 66kg before reuniting with fans.
“I really wanted to look good for ARMYs, so I completely cut out carbs lately since they can cause bloating. I’ve been waking up at 5 am to work out on my own, just to get rid of the puffiness!” V said during the livestream .
🐻 so I wanted to look my absolute best. I was sweating like crazy… even wore a winter parka (coat) on purpose to sweat more.
Fans quickly reacted on social media, with many expressing sadness that V felt pressure to conform to strict body standards. On X (formerly Twitter), one fan wrote:
“But I like him huge and heavy weight, he doesn’t need to be skinny.”
But I like him huge and heavy weight, he doesn't need to be skinny 😢
— nyanya (ʟᴀʏᴏ(ꪜ)ᴇʀ SLAYOVER) (@nyanyadake) June 10, 2025
Another added: “Please stop… you don’t have to! I wish he would read how much we actually don’t care about this stuff,”said a fan on X.
Can someone please tell him he's already looking good without any effort 🥺
V explained his pre-discharge routine included intense workouts, carb restriction, and even wearing a winter parka to sweat more. While some fans praised his dedication, others emphasized his health mattered more than his appearance.
“You look good in any shape. Building up to 80kg wasn’t an easy task either. The most important thing is for you to be healthy,”a fan tweeted.
“Pls he doesn’t need to be skinny, I want to see him healthy…want to see big boy Tae more, I feel we only got some few pics that’s all but it’s not enough,” commented a netizen.
“i wish he didn’t have to lose all that weight he gained he was alr perfect. i hope he doesn’t think or he’s forced to go down to skinny again. but important thing is him being healthy,” stated a fan.
“TAEHYUNG LISTEN TO ME you dont need to lose weight if you dont want to okay???????? You good. So good. I NEED SOMEONE TO TELL HIM PLS,” added an X user.
More fans and netizens talked about how they were saddened to see that the idol felt the need to fit into the beauty standards and empathized with him.
The discussion highlighted ongoing pressures in the K-pop industry regarding body image. V, known for his deep voice and charismatic stage presence, has previously spoken about his struggles with self-confidence. Despite his global fame, his honesty about weight loss resonated with fans who worry about industry expectations.
V’s Military Service and Solo Projects
V enlisted in December 2023 alongside RM, serving in the Special Task Force of the Military Police Corp. During his service, he continued releasing pre-recorded music, including the hit single “FRI(END)S” and the jazz-pop collaboration “Winter Ahead” with Park Hyo Shin .
His debut solo album, Layover, released in September 2023, was a commercial success, topping charts in Japan and earning awards. Even during enlistment, V made history—his duet with Bing Crosby, “White Christmas”, hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Holiday Digital Song Sales chart .
What’s Next for V?
With his military service complete, V is set to rejoin BTS for group activities in 2025. However, HYBE has also announced solo projects, including potential concerts and new music. Fans eagerly await his next steps, but many hope he prioritizes health over harsh diets.
“TAEHYUNG LISTEN TO ME… you don’t need to lose weight if you don’t want to! You’re good. So good,” pleaded one fan on X.
As the conversation continues, ARMYs worldwide are sending messages of support in waves, reminding V that his worth isn’t tied to his weight at all.
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