BTS's V Responds to Controversy Over Phone Use During Military Service

The South Korean Ministry of National Defense has addressed the controversy surrounding V (real name Kim Taehyung, 29), a member of BTS (방탄소년단), regarding alleged preferential treatment in phone usage during his military service.

On the 20th, an online community shared a response from a military police official from the 802nd Military Police Battalion, which stated that there were suspicions that Kim Taehyung used his mobile phone during prohibited hours at the Army Training Center. The official was responding to a complaint questioning whether he received special privileges due to his celebrity status. Currently, V is serving in the Special Duty Team (SDT) of the 2nd Corps at the Ssangyong Unit.

The official clarified, "Upon investigation, it was confirmed that the Army Training Center where Kim Taehyung served allows trainees to use their mobile phones for one hour on weekends and holidays. He received permission to use his phone according to the training center's guidelines and used it during the afternoon hours, not in the early morning as alleged." The official emphasized that there was no evidence of special permission granted to Kim Taehyung for phone usage outside of these designated times. Furthermore, they stated that details regarding the specific times, methods, and content of conversations cannot be disclosed due to privacy laws.

Previously, former representative Min Hee-jin appeared on the YouTube channel 'Kim Young-dae's School of Music' on the 29th of last month, where she mentioned, "V occasionally calls from the military. He is a very bright person by nature," adding that he reached out to her to check if she was okay amid her current situation. She also shared that he sent her a text message to wish her a happy birthday early in the morning, which she found very touching, attributing it to his kind heart.

Min's birthday is on December 16, just five days after V enlisted. This led to online speculation that V sending a text message during early morning hours from the Army Training Center constituted preferential treatment. One netizen raised concerns, stating, "It appears that V sent a message while still a trainee. This is a serious violation of military law, and I suspect that the officers may have overlooked his phone usage due to his fame."

In related news, Min Hee-jin announced on the 20th that she would resign from her position as an inside director and leave Ador and HYBE. She stated, "I will hold those responsible for the violations of shareholder agreements at HYBE legally accountable and will take necessary legal actions regarding the numerous illegal activities of those involved."

Ador expressed regret over her unilateral resignation notice, stating, "We will do our utmost to support NewJeans in their growth and development."