BTS’s V Becomes Muse for Global Street Artists: San Francisco Mural Unveiled
Global K-pop superstar V from BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan) has once again captivated the art world, this time emerging as the muse for a massive graffiti mural in San Francisco. The striking street art was unveiled by Korean graffiti artist STAZ (also known as Lee Jong-bae), showcasing the idol in a traditional Korean warrior outfit as seen in the 2021 episode of BTS’s variety show, Run BTS — ‘Joseon Dynasty in BTS Village.’
V continues to serve as a global cultural ambassador, praised not only for his musical talents but also for his influence in visual arts. His visage has appeared in murals around the world, symbolizing the far-reaching impact of K-culture and his status as an international icon.
STAZ previously represented South Korea at the renowned “Meeting of Styles” graffiti festival in Hualien, where he once again highlighted V as his central figure. Another notable mural, titled “BTS V Mural Performance,” was revealed in Haenggung-dong, Suwon City, commemorating the 10th anniversary of Suwon’s Eco Mobility celebrations.
STAZ began his BTS mural series in 2021, with the first featuring V making a surprise appearance on KBS2‘s popular show, The Return of Superman. “V is my favorite BTS member,” the artist revealed. “His visuals and voice inspire my creativity, and I pay special attention to every detail when designing his artworks.”
Fellow graffiti artist Wezet (WEZT.ONE), who gained acclaim after winning the 2019 Asia Graffiti Championship and participating in campaigns for brands like the Samsung Notebook and Seville Tivoli, also unveiled a mural of V. He has previously worked with BTS’s fan community platform Weverse for the ‘BTS Cinema’ project.
Wezet’s latest tribute, painted over five hours on an abandoned factory wall, features a high-visual portrait of V that captures his unique aesthetic appeal.
Further solidifying V’s global influence, Nicaraguan artist collective Indixilot created a 4-meter-high pop art-inspired mural in downtown Nicaragua, capturing V’s signature pose — known affectionately among fans as the ‘V-gnature.’
These artistic tributes underscore V’s undeniable global appeal, merging pop culture with urban artistry, and elevating BTS’s presence in contemporary visual culture worldwide.
