BTS’s V Opens Up: “My Father Dreamed of Being a Star, and I Finished the Journey for Him”

Growing up, Taehyung wasn’t always the “Most Handsome Man in the World” in the eyes of his family. He shared a hilarious yet touching memory of his grandmother pointing at a banner featuring actor Kang Dong-won.

“My grandmother used to point at Kang Dong-won hyung’s face and tell me, ‘Singers and actors are for people who look like that,'” V reminisced with a laugh. At the time, while others were pushing him toward a “stable” office job, the young Taehyung was busy dancing for pocket money during Chuseok holidays. He wasn’t embarrassed; he was happy. He simply loved the stage, even if that stage was just a living room floor in front of his relatives.

V wearing a pinstripe suit stands confidently outdoors, surrounded by greenery, with a natural stone fountain in the background.
V isn’t the first in his family to chase the spotlight / Vogue

Like Father, Like Son: A Tale of Two Ambitions

Perhaps the most surprising revelation was that V isn’t the first in his family to chase the spotlight. It turns out, V’s father was the original dreamer.

“My father actually dreamed of becoming a talent (actor) himself,” V shared. His father even took a job at Daegu MBC, hoping that being close to the broadcast world would open a door for him. “My father was the case that didn’t quite make it, and I’m the case that did,” V joked, showing the comfortable, lighthearted bond he shares with his parents.

It’s clear now where V gets his classic, cinematic aura it’s a inherited passion that he finally brought to the finish line for his family.

From 30 Fans to Global Dominance

Even as BTS sits at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with their recent hits, V hasn’t forgotten the humble beginnings. He looked back at their very first fan meeting with a sense of pure gratitude that felt incredibly raw.

“There were fewer than 30 people at our first fan meeting,” he recalled. “But I was so happy because more people showed up than there were members in the group. The fact that anyone came just to see us was a huge emotion for me.”

V with long dark hair is looking thoughtfully at the camera while wearing a stylish beige trench coat, set against a sunny outdoor background.
V isn’t the first in his family to chase the spotlight / Vogue

Editor’s Insight: The V-Factor in 2026

What makes this interview so engaging in 2026 is how V bridges the gap between the “Global Icon” and the “Son from Daegu.” While BTS’s B-sides from the Arirang album are currently colonizing the Billboard charts, V chooses to talk about his father’s failed auditions and his grandmother’s skepticism.

It’s a reminder that BTS didn’t just happen—it was built on generations of quiet dreams and a relentless, “shameless” love for music. By successfully fulfilling the dream his father once held, V has turned his career into a beautiful full-circle moment for the Kim family.

Quick Stats: BTS in April 2026

  • Billboard King: Their latest title track “SWIM” remains at the top of the Hot 100, aimed at giving “courage and comfort” to the world.
  • Solo Power: V’s appearance on Fairy Jae-hyung reached 5 million views in just 48 hours.
  • The Legacy: BTS’s Arirang has become the first K-pop album to have every single track enter the Hot 100 simultaneously.

Does V’s story inspire you to chase your own “unstable” dream? Whether you’re dancing for pocket money or aiming for the Billboard charts, remember it only takes 30 people to start a revolution.