Fan Outrage Over Taehyung’s Absence from 2025 Seoul Music Awards Nominations
On March 26, 2025, the K-pop community erupted in frustration after Taehyung, known as V from BTS, did not receive any nominations for the upcoming 2025 Seoul Music Awards (SMA). Scheduled to be held on June 21 at Inspire Arena, this annual ceremony celebrates excellence in the K-pop industry.
Despite the eligibility criteria covering music released between January 2024 and March 2025, fans were dismayed that Taehyung’s notable solo projects, which achieved significant success both domestically and internationally, were overlooked. The nominations draw upon data from Circle Chart, adding to the disbelief surrounding his omission.
Taehyung’s track “Fri(end)s” , released on March 15, 2024, and his collaboration with Park Hyo-shin, “Winter Ahead” , launched in November 2024, both qualified under the eligibility period. In contrast, other BTS members, including Jin, RM, Jimin, and Jungkook, garnered multiple nominations across various categories, highlighting the glaring absence of Taehyung’s name.
A Growing Storm on Social Media
This apparent oversight ignited a wave of outrage among fans, who took to social media to voice their concerns. Many accused the SMA organizers of bias and unfair treatment. One user, commenting on X, stated:
“If #SMA criteria are based on Circle Chart, then Taehyung absolutely deserves a nomination for ‘FRI(END)S.’ WHERE ARE V’S NOMINATIONS, SMA? V DESERVES BETTER!”
Fans conveyed their disappointment, interpreting the lack of nominations as a deliberate snub. They urged the music industry to recognize all artists for their contributions instead of letting them go unnoticed. Comments from the fan community included:
“I sincerely hope that these awards go up in smoke without prestige. It is unacceptable that after ‘FRI(END)S’ achieved so many milestones, it was not nominated,”one fan remarked.
“He deserves it! The chart and sales show it!!! WHERE ARE V’S NOMINATIONS, SMA?,”wrote another.
“Based on the criteria for #SMA nominations, V deserves recognition for ‘FRI(END)S.’ Why isn’t he nominated? We need clarification!,”a fan questioned.
“Taehyung truly deserves better. His songs meet the award show’s criteria, yet he is still overlooked. This raises suspicions. We must make our voices heard for Taehyung. He has given us so much during military enlistment,”noted another user.
Some fans directed their frustrations at Big Hit Music, suggesting the agency failed to provide adequate support for Taehyung’s achievements.
“Taehyung is the BTS member that the company neglects the most. I hope Korean fans continue to speak up. It’s time this company respects Taehyung’s hard work,”a netizen added.
“Is anyone else confused? Disappointing, but his talent for creating timeless music will not be overshadowed. Time will honor his success and legacy,”commented another user.
“The intentional disregard for V’s highly eligible song releases is outrageous,”a fan stated.
Taehyung’s Ongoing Journey and Recent Updates
For those unfamiliar, V’s single “Fri(end)s” secured numerous accolades, including debuting at No. 1 on YouTube’s Global Top Music Videos and ranking No. 3 on Billboard Global Excl. U.S., while also reaching No. 5 on Billboard Global. It made history as the first K-pop solo song of 2024 to achieve over 100 No. 1s on iTunes worldwide.
The track maintained an impressive ten-week run on the UK Official Singles Download and Sales Charts, making V the first K-pop solo artist to accomplish this feat. Amidst the ongoing controversy, Taehyung has remained engaged with fans during his military service, sharing personal updates.
On March 23, 2025, he posted a gym update on Weverse, revealing a remarkable weight loss of 10 kg while committing to strength maintenance, writing:
“But recently…! I lost a lot of weight, right? I lost 10kg. Hahahaha.”
His physical fitness and dedication were highlighted through a mirror selfie, with fans showering him with compliments.
Taehyung has actively engaged with fans, casually mentioning that he continues to sing during this period and often hums his favorite tunes. Displaying his playful side, he interacted with fans regarding a sticker of Pororo on his phone, explaining that it was a thoughtful gift from a younger soldier.
Taehyung released his debut solo album, “Layover”, in September 2023, followed by a collaboration with Park Hyo-shin on “Winter Ahead” in December 2024, and a remake of Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas”. He also published a photobook titled “TYPE” in June 2024, along with a vinyl edition of “Layover”in October.
Currently, he is serving in the Special Duty Team (SDT), renowned for its rigorous training. Having been promoted to sergeant in February 2025, he is expected to complete his service in June 2025.