BTS’s V Was a “Great Guy” Even in the Military… A Late-Disclosed Boot Camp Story

[Sports Seoul | Reporter Bae Geun] A heartwarming story from BTS V's days as a trainee soldier was revealed late. Even off stage, his signature kindness remained the same.

V recently talked about an episode from training camp on Weverse Live, reminiscing about his time in military service with the members.

He said that while heading to a Catholic Mass with the trainee soldiers, they talked about baptismal names. When V asked, "What baptismal name are you going to get?" some of the trainees replied with names of game characters such as "Mordekaiser," "Miss Fortune," and "Lux," drawing laughter.

A fellow training camp comrade who watched the broadcast also shared a story about V, albeit belatedly.

He recalled that when he enlisted, the news was buzzing because two BTS members were entering the military, and that he was assigned to the same 1st platoon as V.

According to the comrade, V gave the trainee soldiers a gift of Hanwoo beef, saying they had worked hard training. On Christmas, they went together to watch a church musical, and although V covered his face so that only his eyes were visible, everyone recognized him.

During his time as a trainee soldier, V also volunteered to serve as a platoon leader. The comrade said, "A platoon leader has a lot to do and is a role that you'll regret taking in the military because it's a position where a trainee soldier has to comfort other trainee soldiers," but added that V always led the platoon with a positive atmosphere.

He went on to say about V, "He was truly kind and positive, so he was always a good person who led things in a good direction," and added that "he was a big-hearted person with a lot of mischief and warmth." He also said he remembers V as "an outstanding senior and life coach."

V enlisted on December 11, 2023, completed basic training, and then served in the Army 2nd Corps Military Police Special Duty Team (SDT).

Even while serving in the SDT, he was known for making efforts to create a better environment, such as buying food for his senior and junior comrades and donating exercise equipment. His fellow soldiers remembered V as "someone they could comfortably open up to and rely on."

The camaraderie continued even after his discharge. V reportedly visited the unit to celebrate the discharge ceremony of a junior comrade, about 40 days after his own discharge, despite his busy schedule.