Support for BTS Member Kim Taehyung from Chuncheon City Mayor
On March 7, 2025, Chuncheon City Mayor Yuk Dong-han took to Instagram to show his admiration for BTS’ Kim Taehyung by recreating the singer’s iconic military photo. This heartfelt gesture quickly gained traction among fans, with the post going viral by March 18, showcasing the deep connection between K-pop and local culture.
The mayor’s post featured a collage of himself seated on a bench, mimicking Kim Taehyung’s pose against a vibrant, tree-painted wall. While Taehyung donned his military uniform and gazed away thoughtfully, Mayor Yuk wore a formal suit, humorously attempting to pay homage to the beloved artist’s Instagram moment.
Kim Taehyung originally shared his military photo on February 23, 2025, prompting enthusiastic responses from his fandom, known as ARMY. Following Mayor Yuk’s post, fans filled the comments section with positive affirmations. One Instagram user noted the influence of K-pop idols on boosting tourism in Chuncheon City, to which the mayor promptly agreed, expressing his gratitude.
The homage resonated widely across social media, leading ARMYs to express their pride in Taehyung’s impact. A user even tweeted:
“Taehyung Prince of Korea indeed.”
Fans highlighted the extraordinary influence Taehyung has on both local and global scales. One fan remarked:
‘You’re the best!! Thank you for always working hard,’ a fan reacted.
“Taehyung’s impact is insane… he literally got the Mayor to visit the place he took his photo,”a fan shared.
“We know it’s a well-known spot, but Taehyung turned it into a tourist attraction where people go just to take pictures like him,”a fan commented.
Many fans even hailed Taehyung as the “Prince of South Korea.” One user expressed their thoughts:
“Taehyung is really South Korea’s prince because, what do you mean he got the mayor of Chuncheon and his wife to take a picture at the same spot as him,”a user reacted.
“This level of influence is just unheard of, wowow,”a user shared.
“We need to be louder because this is crazy,”a user commented.
Kim Taehyung’s Military Promotion and Recent Music Releases
On February 23, 2025, Taehyung elevated his military career by announcing his promotion to the rank of Sergeant through an Instagram post. He celebrated this achievement with various photos, captioning his post with the words:
“I came to report Sergeant Kim’s survival! It’s D-107. The scary winter is over, and I’ll take care of yourself in the warm spring and get ready for it.”
In the music realm, Taehyung continues to shine. He released his new track “Winter Ahead”in collaboration with South Korean singer Park Hyo-shin on November 20, 2024, accompanied by two music videos posted to the official BANGTAN TV YouTube channel. Furthermore, on December 6, 2024, he delivered a festive rendition of “White Christmas,”originally by Bing Crosby via Geffen Records.
As it stands, BTS’ V is expected to complete his mandatory military service and return in June 2025, much to the excitement of fans around the globe.