BTS member V (Kim Taehyung) has officially become the most-loved celebrity on South Korea’s military app Goondori. During his 18-month mandatory military service, V received over 4.5 million cheering messages from fans, setting an all-time record on the platform.
He is now the first and only Korean celebrity to cross 3 million messages, making this a historic achievement for any enlisted celebrity, athlete, or creator on the app.
Goondori is used by active-duty soldiers and their supporters to track military service and send encouragement. V’s lead was unmatched, beating other top idols like Jimin (2.7 million), Jungkook (2.5 million), and Taeyong of NCT (1.8 million).
He stayed at No. 1 in both daily and total cheering rankings throughout his enlistment. At his peak, he received over 4.6 million cheering messages in a single day.
During his enlistment, V served in the elite Counter-Terrorism Unit (Special Duty Team) of the Ssangyong Military Police Special Task Force. He was promoted to Sergeant before completing his service and earned praise for his hard work and leadership.
V was officially discharged on June 10, 2025, with fellow BTS member RM joining him for a special moment at their discharge ceremony, where RM performed a saxophone piece for fans.
Fans around the world celebrated V’s record, sharing messages of pride and admiration on social media. Even while away from the spotlight, V’s deep bond with ARMY stayed strong, proving his lasting influence as a global star.
With this achievement, V has cemented his place as the most beloved Korean celebrity to ever serve in the military.
