BTS V Reveals His Journey to Stardom: From Saxophone Dreams to K-Pop Success

[TV Daily reporter Hwang Seo-yeon] BTS member V opened up about the path that led him to debut.

On the 29th, the YouTube channel Yojeong Jae-hyung uploaded a video titled, \"Hello, I'm BTS' V (V). Please take care of me!\"

The episode featured V, who recently returned with BTS's fifth studio album, ARIRANG, as a guest. He shared a relaxed meal at Jeong Jae-hyung's home and spoke candidly about his early ambitions and struggles.

V revealed that his father had once dreamt of being an entertainer and supported his decision to pursue music. \"My father wanted to be an entertainer. He worked as an FD at Daegu MBC,\" V said. \"He thought working at the broadcaster would be enough, and it didn't work out for him — but it did for me,\" he added, prompting laughter from Jeong.

V said he talked with his father about his desire to become an entertainer, and his father suggested applying to an arts high school. V studied saxophone for four years because, he explained, the competition for sax was lower than for many other instruments — a strategic choice. He also noted the financial and practical burden: \"Each instrument cost over 1,000,000 KRW (about $750), and the instruments themselves were rare,\" he said, acknowledging his father's support.

V went on to explain that he ultimately failed to get into the arts high school. He returned to Daegu and decided to enroll in a dance academy, where he trained for about six months after starting high school. It was there that an unofficial BigHit audition took place, and he was offered a chance to join what would become BTS. \"At the time, my skills were poor and I had no choreography experience,\" he admitted. \"I tried because I loved dancing, but people around me — older students and instructors — kept telling me I was good, so I went to the academy thinking I really was. I wasn't, though.\"

He also shared that the audition which led to his selection began as a visit with friends. \"I went to the audition just to see people from Seoul and to watch those who had succeeded,\" he said. After the event, a staff member asked, 'Did you audition?' He replied that he was only there to observe, but ended up trying out. \"I sang a current pop song, but they didn't seem impressed. For the second round I performed a dance I felt confident in, but compared to others it didn't stand out,\" he recalled. \"I did rap, beatbox, and even played saxophone at the end. Maybe I was a bit of a novelty — I couldn't do much, but I acted like I could,\" he joked, drawing laughs.

[TV Daily reporter Hwang Seo-yeon news@tvdaily.co.kr / Photo = YouTube 'Yojeong Jae-hyung']