BTS member V has stepped in to defend a former military colleague after the man faced growing criticism online for sharing stories about their time serving together.

The controversy began when an Instagram user named Kim Ki Tae revealed that he had served alongside V during the singer’s military service. Over the past several weeks, Kim posted a series of videos and personal anecdotes describing life in the military and sharing memories involving the BTS star.

Initially, many fans welcomed the stories. Supporters enjoyed hearing behind-the-scenes details about V’s military experience and praised Kim for providing a glimpse into a period of the idol’s life that remained largely private

However, as Kim continued uploading videos, criticism began to emerge.

Some social media users accused him of using his connection to V to gain attention, increase engagement, and attract followers. Others argued that repeatedly posting short clips about the singer made the content appear more focused on publicity than on sharing genuine memories.

As the debate intensified, Kim uploaded what he described as a “final video” addressing the criticism and acknowledging the mixed reactions surrounding his posts.

Shortly afterward, V personally entered the conversation.

The singer initially left a brief comment encouraging Kim to continue sharing stories. His message jokingly suggested that he did not even remember some of the events being discussed and that hearing about them was entertaining.

The comment quickly spread across social media, but not everyone interpreted it the same way.

While many fans viewed the message as playful encouragement, others believed V might be responding sarcastically. The ambiguity of the short comment led to even more discussion about what the idol truly meant.

As speculation continued to grow, V decided to clarify his position directly.

In a much longer message posted on Kim’s social media account, V expressed clear support for his former colleague and addressed the controversy head-on.

The BTS member acknowledged that while many people appreciated Kim’s videos, others viewed them with concern. He emphasized that he personally found the stories enjoyable and explained that people naturally interpret situations differently based on their own perspectives.

V encouraged Kim not to become overwhelmed by criticism and reminded him that even actions carried out with good intentions can sometimes be misunderstood.

” How have you been?

It seems that while many people appreciate and are grateful for the videos you put so much effort into filming, there are also some who view them with a bit of concern. Personally, though, I found them really entertaining!

I’ve realized that in life, even when you do something with the best of intentions, it can sometimes be perceived differently because everyone has their own unique perspective. I really hope you don’t let every single comment or opinion weigh too heavily on your mind.

(That said, since you uploaded a bunch of very short clips in quick succession, it might have looked a little odd—so I can see why people might have misunderstood the situation.) 

Regardless of what anyone else says, you were definitely the ace of our platoon, and I truly enjoyed the time we spent serving together in the military. In fact, I think it might be difficult for anyone who didn’t actually live through that experience with us to fully grasp everything we went through and felt. You’d agree with that, right?

I was worried that you might be stressing yourself out because of all these reactions and taking it out on the bench presses, so I decided to leave a comment even though I usually find it a hassle. (Hold your fire! Friendlies! Friendlies!) I hope this helps.

Anyway, have a great day, and please try not to let this get to you too much” 

At the same time, he offered a lighthearted observation, noting that posting numerous short videos in rapid succession may have contributed to some of the misunderstandings surrounding the content.

The message then became more personal.

V described Kim as the “ace” of their platoon and praised him for the role he played during their military service. He also reflected on the unique experiences they shared, suggesting that people who had not lived through those moments together might never fully understand what military life was like for them.

The singer’s tone remained warm and humorous throughout the post. At one point, he joked that he was worried Kim might be taking the criticism too seriously and working out his frustrations on the bench press. He even added a playful military-style phrase—”Friendlies! Friendlies!”—to lighten the mood.

V concluded his message by offering further encouragement and expressing support for Kim’s future goals. Referring to his former colleague’s impressive physique, the idol joked that Kim might be aiming to become a professional bodybuilder and encouraged him to continue pursuing his dreams.

The response quickly attracted significant attention from fans worldwide.

Many praised V for addressing the situation directly instead of allowing speculation to continue. Others commended him for standing by someone he served with and publicly acknowledging the bond they developed during military service.

The incident has also reignited broader discussions within fandom spaces about how friends, family members, and former colleagues of celebrities are treated online. Some fans argued that individuals connected to public figures often face excessive scrutiny regardless of their intentions.

By personally defending Kim and clarifying that he enjoyed the stories being shared, V effectively ended speculation about whether he was uncomfortable with the content.

For many observers, the episode highlighted not only the close friendship that developed between the two men during military service but also V’s willingness to speak up when he believes someone is being unfairly criticized. His message transformed what had become an online controversy into a public show of support, earning praise from many fans who appreciated both his honesty and his loyalty.