BTS’s V Breaks Instagram Record During Military Service, Fans’ Loyalty Accelerates

Still in uniform, but more connected than ever. The world might have temporarily pressed pause on seeing Bulletproof Boy Scouts (BTS)’s V in the spotlight, but that hasn’t stopped him from creating new records. In the midst of his military service, V posted a simple message: “Private Kim reporting for duty! D-107”—accompanied by casual pictures. Within 11 hours and 28 minutes, the post had garnered over 10 million likes. One week later, that number soared past 15 million. As of now, the post has achieved a staggering 16.38 million likes.

That’s not just a big number—it’s the most liked Instagram post in 2025 worldwide, surpassing global icons like Billie Eilish and Cristiano Ronaldo. And it came from a post during V’s military service, showing just how undeniable and enduring his global impact is.

Remarkably, this isn’t just a fluke of fandom. Despite the limitations (comments are disabled on his account), V’s follower engagement rate is a jaw-dropping 20.2%—one of the highest on the platform. He consistently stays at the top in Google and Wikipedia searches among Asian celebrities. For someone silently serving his country, the world has never stopped listening.

From Silence to Strategy: How Waiting Became a Brand

V opened his personal Instagram account in December 2021. He broke a Guinness World Record by reaching 1 million followers in just 43 minutes, and hit 10 million in 5 hours. By August 2022, he had 50 million followers in only 257 days. Today, he maintains the highest average likes per post at 12.4 million.

Military duty may have slowed public sightings, but it didn’t dull his presence. V posted thoughtfully, shared heartfelt updates, and even casual selfies reminiscent of magazine editorials. More than content, these posts have become emotional anchors for fans, preserving a sense of presence during absence.

Disappearance as Power: Why V’s Scarcity Boosts His Appeal

In social media culture, declining activity often leads to dwindling fan engagement. But V defies this trend. Psychologically, this aligns with a known consumer behavior—scarcity heightens value. His absence has crafted a paradoxical clarity: though we see him less, we feel him more.

This is the essence of symbolic interaction theory, which suggests humans assign deeper meaning to brief interactions. To fans, his “survival check-in” wasn’t just a status update—it was a moment of real connection. With each post, V reaffirms his role not just as a celebrity, but as an emotional presence embedded in daily lives.

Countdown to Return: From Waiting to Expectation

V’s mandatory service wraps up shortly—he’s set to be discharged on June 10. While he was physically away, fans weren’t just waiting for him—they were upholding the meaning he carries. As his return nears, anticipation turns into acceleration. They’re not thinking of a comeback; they’ve been emotionally ready all along.

Ultimately, V’s story is not one of disappearance, but transformation. Through strategic silence, meaningful signals, and a loyal fanbase, he’s proven that visibility isn’t just about being seen—but being felt.