BTS’s Taehyung Named Most Admired Senior K-Pop Idol
On March 30, 2025, South Korea’s Star News reported that Taehyung, also known as V from BTS, earned the title of the most admirable senior among K-pop idols, affirming his influential status even during his time in military service. This recognition was based on a poll conducted by the Japanese media outlet Danmee, which captured the hearts of fans and junior idols alike.
In the poll, Taehyung distinguished himself by outperforming 26 other idols who had previously served as school uniform models. His admirers cited his ability to remain humble and supportive of younger colleagues throughout his military journey as key reasons for their admiration.
Unmatched Popularity in Japan
Taehyung’s popularity is further evidenced by his remarkable presence in Japan’s major music polls, where he has maintained the No. 1 ranking for over 200 weeks across various platforms, including NEHAN, BIHAN, K-Board, and K-pop Juice. His status as the most mentioned Korean celebrity in Japan illustrates his vast appeal, even surpassing popular global stars on Google Trends.
Taehyung’s Military and Musical Endeavors
Taehyung enlisted in the military on December 11, 2023, where he completed basic training and was subsequently assigned to the Special Task Force under the Military Police Corps. His recent posts reveal he has now advanced to Sergeant status, a milestone he celebrated enthusiastically on Instagram.
In his personal update, he shared:
“I’ve been promoted to Sergeant, Level 2. Now, I’m ranked second here. Soon, I’ll be first. Recently, I became a Special Warrior. I worked out really hard. While working out, I once fractured a rib. But I recovered.”
Despite the rigorous demands of military life, Taehyung keeps the lines of communication open with his fans, sharing gym selfies and heartfelt messages on platforms like Weverse. Recently, he humorously mentioned his weight loss:
“Still recently..! I lost a lot of weight right..? I lost 10kg.. hihihihihihi. I’ll try ever harder.”
Musical Achievements Prior to Enlistment
Prior to his enlistment, Taehyung was busy making waves in the music industry. His 2023 solo album, Layover, made history by becoming the first album of the decade by an Asian solo artist to reach No. 1 in 110 countries on iTunes. He also released several successful singles, including “Fri(end)s”and “Winter Ahead,”a duet with Park Hyo-shin, alongside a festive remix of “White Christmas.”
Notably, “Winter Ahead”became the first jazz track by a K-pop artist to break into the Billboard Hot 100 charts, while “Fri(end)s”achieved an impressive No. 65 placement.
Looking Ahead
Taehyung is expected to complete his military service in June 2025. Until then, he remains a source of inspiration for both his fellow servicemen and a new generation of aspiring idols, showing that dedication and hard work can create a lasting impact.