BTS' V heads to a vehicle at Chuncheon Station in Gangwon Province to transfer to his unit on Feb. 8. Yonhap

The military unit where BTS member V (Kim Tae-hyung) served during his training period denied allegations of preferential treatment after claims that the singer used a cell phone in the early hours to send a birthday message.

Former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin sparked the dispute during an appearance on a YouTube channel, where she said, "V occasionally calls me from the military. He's a cheerful and lively friend. On my birthday, he even sent me a message at dawn to wish me well."

Min's birthday is Dec. 16, which was just five days after V enlisted in the army, leading some to allege that he had been granted special privileges to use a phone during restricted hours.

Some netizens raised suspicions of celebrity favoritism, arguing that it would have been impossible for V, as a recruit, to send a text message at dawn without receiving special privileges.

The controversy prompted a formal inquiry filed with the national petition system, to which the military responded on Nov. 21.

The Army's 2nd Corps Military Police Command said, "At the Army training center where Kim Tae-hyung trained, recruits are permitted to use cell phones for one hour during weekends and holidays. It has been confirmed that Kim used his phone during the designated afternoon usage period, not at dawn."

The statement added that there was "no instance of granting or condoning special privileges" for V to use a cell phone.

V is currently serving in the Army's 2nd Corps Military Police Command Special Mission Unit where he continues his mandatory military duty.

Former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin / Korea Times photo by Shin Yong-joo

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.