BTS's V Reveals Hearing Loss in Right Ear as Jungkook Performs Through Leg Injury on ARIRANG Tour

BTS member V (Kim Tae-hyung) disclosed on a Weverse livestream on Wednesday, August 12, that he has significantly reduced hearing in his right ear, a condition he says has persisted for about two and a half years. On the same stream, fellow member Jungkook said he has been dealing with leg inflammation and minor bone damage, which has led him to perform some shows seated. Both disclosures come during the group's ongoing ARIRANG world tour, currently in its North American leg, which is scheduled to wrap up on March 16, 2027, at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan, Philippines.

What V said about his hearing

According to a translation of the livestream reported by BBC News, V said that if his left ear's hearing is rated at 100, his right ear is about 30. He believes the condition worsened during his mandatory military service in South Korea. He initially dismissed it as psychological and did not seek treatment, but later sought medical help. He is currently on medication and receiving regular hospital treatment.

V and fellow member RM enlisted in 2023 and were discharged in June 2025, meaning all seven BTS members have now completed South Korea's mandatory military service.

On the same livestream, Jungkook said, "There's a lot of inflammation in my calf," adding that there may be minor bone damage, and that he would take care of himself to complete the full tour.

Status of the ARIRANG tour

BTS played two nights at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Monday, August 10, and Tuesday, August 11. The North American leg continues with two-night stops in Arlington, Toronto, and Chicago, followed by four shows at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles in September. The tour will then move on to Latin America, Asia, and Australia, concluding on March 16, 2027, at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan.

• August 10–11, 2026: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore (completed)
• Arlington, Toronto, Chicago: two nights each
• September 2026: four shows at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
• Following legs: Latin America, Asia, Australia
• March 16, 2027: Philippine Sports Stadium, Bulacan (final show)

The tour opened in Goyang, South Korea, in April this year, with NME giving the show a four-and-a-half-star review and noting that RM spoke onstage about the choices the group has made in order to keep going for the long term. The night closed with "Into The Sun" accompanied by extensive fireworks.

The ARIRANG album and the Grammy controversy

BTS's fifth album, ARIRANG, was released in March this year. NME gave it four stars, describing the group as returning to what they do best while acting as both "ambassadors" and "explorers."

The group also decided not to submit the album for Grammy consideration, after the organizers introduced a new "Best Asian Pop Music" category. They said they hope their music can be heard and loved "across regions and languages," and thanked ARMY and everyone who has supported them along the way.