BTS V reveals hearing impairment in right ear

BTS member V has revealed for the first time that he has been undergoing treatment for hearing impairment for approximately two and a half years. He explained that there is a significant disparity in his hearing, noting that if his left ear's hearing is set at 100, his right ear only registers about 30.

On the 12th, following a performance in Baltimore, V carefully disclosed his condition to fans during a Weverse Live session conducted alongside Jung Kook [BTS].

“I have never mentioned this to ARMY, but my hearing hasn't been good since two and a half years ago,” he confessed. He went on to explain, “If the left side hears at about 100 right now, the right side only hears at 30.”

He admitted that the symptoms worsened during his military service, but at the time, he failed to recognize the signals his body was sending.

Recalling those days, V said, “Since everyone around me was full of energy and focused on exercising, I thought, ‘It’s just a matter of willpower,’ so I also believed it was a mental issue, almost as if I were under hypnosis.”

He had mistaken a physical abnormality for a matter of willpower. However, he revealed that he later visited a hospital to confirm his exact condition and has been continuing consistent treatment. He is reportedly still taking medication and undergoing treatment even amidst his overseas tour schedules.

V enlisted in December 2023, served in the Special Duty Team (SDT) of the Military Police, and was discharged last June. Considering the unique environment of military service followed by a world tour, managing his physical condition was likely a difficult task.

Nevertheless, the story V shared with fans did not stop at his own health issues. While answering a fan's concern, he shared his philosophy on living a life without comparison.

When a fan asked for life advice, V thought for a moment and said, “Do not live while comparing yourself to others.”

He suggested that the moment one envies another person's life, abilities, or economic situation, one risks losing their own sense of self. “I think the battle with oneself is what matters,” he advised. “Do not envy others by asking, ‘Why can't I be like that?' while comparing yourself to them.”

He also added, “Everyone lives their own life, so focus on your own tempo.”

These words resonate deeply with his recent experience. Not being able to run at the same speed as others does not necessarily signify a deficiency. V, who once dismissed his physical condition as a 'matter of willpower,' ultimately chose to acknowledge his reality and continue his treatment at his own pace.

It is particularly meaningful that he disclosed such a vulnerability despite the pressure to maintain a perfect image as a K-pop star. While he radiates energy toward tens of thousands of spectators on stage, off-stage, he remains a human being who must constantly tune both his body and mind.

V's confession ultimately culminates in one message: there is no need to compare your speed with the speed of others.

Some may run faster, while others may need to pause to receive treatment. The important thing is not to get ahead of others, but to listen to the signals sent by one's own body and life, and to continue moving forward at one's own pace.