Twelve years ago, what began as an ordinary June morning quickly transformed into a monumental day for K-pop fans across the globe. On June 2, 2013, BigHit Entertainment shattered expectations by revealing that BTS wasn’t a six-member group as everyone believed—it was seven. The final member, Kim Taehyung, known to the world as V, stepped into the spotlight and instantly altered the trajectory of BTS forever. With his soulful gaze, magnetic aura, and air of mystery, V didn’t just complete BTS—he elevated it. The reveal wasn’t just a lineup change; it was a revelation that shook the fandom and stamped his identity as the group’s “Secret Weapon.”
For two years before that moment, V lived as a shadow within the company—training, growing, and preparing while remaining completely hidden from the public eye. Unlike his fellow members who were introduced one by one throughout 2012, Taehyung remained invisible. He joined BigHit in 2011 after an impromptu audition he hadn’t even planned to attend, originally just accompanying a friend. From there, he poured himself into his craft—singing, dancing, and even showcasing his saxophone skills during trainee days. But none of that was seen. BigHit kept him under wraps intentionally, crafting a surprise that would generate buzz and build mystique. And it worked. When his first teaser photo dropped just 11 days before debut, fans were stunned—and instantly captivated.
But that secrecy came with emotional weight. V has spoken candidly about the pain of being hidden, of watching his fellow trainees build early connections with fans while he stayed out of view. He confessed to feeling like a ghost, a silent figure walking beside his brothers without being acknowledged. To cope, he recorded private video logs, quietly narrating his feelings and archiving days in solitude, wondering if anyone would ever see them. Those early recordings are now haunting reminders of a boy who had so much to give, just waiting for his time to come.
Twelve years later, that boy is a global icon. Fans around the world flooded platforms with messages of love, celebration, and admiration as soon as June 2 arrived. Hashtags like #12YearsWithV and #VDay took over timelines as ARMYs shared their favorite moments—from his first shaky smiles during debut to his now-iconic solo stages. They remembered the tears, the laughter, the quiet moments of vulnerability that endeared him to millions. And they celebrated the man he’s become: not just a vocalist, not just a visual, but a true artist.
Today, V’s voice resonates far beyond music. It’s in his melancholic jazz-inspired solo work, his fashion statements on runways from Seoul to Paris, and his unique blend of playfulness and introspection that continues to captivate hearts. From secret trainee to a name synonymous with elegance, emotion, and raw artistry, V didn’t just emerge from the shadows—he turned them into his canvas. And on this special anniversary, fans don’t just remember the moment he was revealed. They celebrate every second of the journey that followed.