On April 12, 2025, MBC Entertainment unveiled that renowned bodybuilder Ma Sun-ho will make a special appearance on JTBC’s popular variety show, Knowing Brothers. During this episode, he is set to discuss his unique friendship with BTS member Taehyung, also known as V. The bond between the two was forged through their mutual passion for fitness, a connection Ma Sun-ho has highlighted, casually referring to him as “Taehyung.”
In an interesting reveal, Ma Sun-ho shared that a simple Instagram post featuring a gym photo with Taehyung led to a remarkable surge of 50,000 new followers. He elaborated on how their friendship blossomed naturally while they engaged in workouts together. According to a translation by @KTH_Facts, Ma commented:
“I call V by their real names, ‘Taehyung.’ We became close while working out, and when I uploaded a picture we took together on SNS, my followers increased by 50,000.”
This friendship has garnered attention before; notably, on September 25, 2024, Ma Sun-ho shared a workout selfie that included Taehyung and actor Kim Min-jae during Taehyung’s military leave. Fans were particularly intrigued by the noticeable physical transformation of Taehyung, who appeared considerably more muscular than before.
Insights into Ma Sun-ho, Taehyung, and the Anticipated Episode
Ma Sun-ho boasts a significant profile as a bodybuilder and entertainer, featuring prominently in programs like Physical: 100, Running Man, and The Zone: You Must Survive. A distinguished member of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, he has earned various accolades, including prestigious titles at the ICN Korea Grand Prix and the INBA Korea Asian Championship. His Instagram post with Taehyung and Kim Min-jae during their military leave has become one of his most discussed moments online.
In October 2024, the friendship was a topic of discussion on Kim Jong-kook’s YouTube channel. Here, Ma Sun-ho spoke about Taehyung’s approachable demeanor, which allows people to interact with him comfortably despite his fame. Kim Jong-kook praised Taehyung’s grounded personality, highlighting what makes him so relatable.
The upcoming episode of Knowing Brothers promises to deliver a variety of entertaining segments featuring not only Ma Sun-ho but also singer Kwon Eun-bi, comedian Lee Seung-yoon, and athlete Kim Min-ji. Expect a blend of amusing anecdotes, engaging physical challenges, and laughter as Ma Sun-ho demonstrates his bodybuilding expertise and shares exclusive insights into his life and friendships.
Currently, Taehyung is serving in the Special Duty Team (SDT) unit of the military, having enlisted in December 2023. He is expected to complete his service in June 2025, marking an important milestone for both him and his fans.
As BTS approaches a full reunion, excitement builds among fans. With RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook scheduled to finish their military service by June 2025, the anticipation for a reunion is palpable. With Jin and j-hope already back, fans eagerly await the moment when all seven members can come together once again for new adventures.