Why BTS’s V Said “My Father Failed, I Succeeded” — And the Real Story Behind It

For BTS’s V, becoming a global star was never just about talent.

It was a dream that started long before fame and one that, unexpectedly, he shared with his father.

And now, years later, he’s finally opening up about that story.

A Childhood Dream That Started Against Expectations

During a recent appearance on YouTube channel Fairy Jaehyung (요정재형), V reflected on the moment he first decided to become a singer.

While most people around him encouraged stable career paths, he chose something completely different.

“I was the only one who said I wanted to be a singer,” he shared.

Even his grandmother tried to ground his expectations. Pointing at a banner of actor Kang Dong Won, she told him that only people like that could become celebrities.

But years later, that same town tells a very different story.

V revealed that banners in his hometown of Geochang now feature his own face.

A full circle moment that feels almost unreal.

“My Father Failed, I Succeeded” — But There’s More Behind It

One of the most talked about lines from the interview came when V said:

“My father also dreamed of becoming an entertainer… he’s the case that didn’t work, and I’m the case that did.”

At first, it sounds blunt.

But the meaning is much deeper.

His father once pursued the same dream and even worked at Daegu MBC, hoping to be close to the industry.

Instead of discouraging V, that experience shaped how he supported him.

When V decided to take his dream seriously, his father gave him practical advice.

“If you want to do this, learn an instrument. You need to go to an arts high school.”

That advice changed everything.

A Strategic Start That Led to BTS

V’s journey into music wasn’t random. It was surprisingly calculated.

He chose to learn saxophone for one simple reason.

It had the lowest competition.

While piano and drums had overwhelming applicant numbers, saxophone offered him a more realistic entry point.

So he trained for four years.

But even then, success didn’t come immediately.

After failing to get into an arts high school, V joined a dance academy. That’s where everything shifted.

He attended a Big Hit audition just to watch.

Then, unexpectedly, he was encouraged to try out himself.

He passed.

And just like that, his trainee life began alongside RM, J-Hope, SUGA, and Jungkook.

From 30 Fans to 18.4 Million Viewers

V also looked back on BTS’s early days, revealing just how small their beginnings were.

“At our first fan meeting, there were fewer than 30 people,” he said.

But even then, they felt grateful.

That perspective has never changed.

Fast forward to today, and BTS’s recent comeback live performance at Gwanghwamun reportedly drew 18.4 million viewers worldwide.

A number that reflects not just growth, but transformation.

A Comeback That Feels Like a New Chapter

BTS recently returned as a full group with their album ARIRANG, marking their first full-group comeback in nearly four years.

The album includes 14 tracks, with the title song SWIM delivering a message about continuing forward through life’s waves.

It’s a theme that mirrors V’s own journey.

Persistence, uncertainty, and movement.

Editor’s Insight

What makes this story resonate is not the “success vs failure” line.

It’s what that line actually represents.

V’s journey is not about surpassing his father.

It’s about continuing a dream that someone else couldn’t finish.

And more importantly, being supported by that same person along the way.

In an industry where success often feels sudden, this story reminds us that behind every “overnight star” is a long chain of decisions, setbacks, and quiet support.

V didn’t just succeed.

He built on something that already existed.

And that’s what makes this moment feel more meaningful than it sounds at first.