BTS V Shares Rare Photos With Son Heung-min and Pianist Cho Seong-jin at Birthday Celebration
The K-pop star posted an intimate snapshot celebrating the Tottenham captain's 33rd birthday, featuring the unlikely trio of entertainment, sports, and classical music stars
BTS member V has given fans a glimpse into his star-studded social circle with a surprise Instagram story post featuring soccer star Son Heung-min and world-renowned pianist Cho Seong-jin.
The photo, shared on July 8, shows the three Korean celebrities sitting casually on an outdoor bench under evening lights, all smiling warmly at the camera. V captioned the post with "HBD" and tagged both Son Heung-min and Cho Seong-jin to celebrate the Tottenham captain's 33rd birthday.
Son Heung-min was born on July 8, 1992, making this his 33rd birthday celebration. The soccer star appeared relaxed in casual shorts, while V wore his signature effortless style with a red cap and shirt. Cho Seong-jin completed the trio in a crisp shirt and jeans.
The gathering came just two days after V's high-profile appearance at Celine's 2026 Spring/Summer show in Paris on July 6, where he reunited with fellow brand ambassadors Park Bo-gum and Suzy. V was officially discharged from military service on June 10, 2025, alongside BTS leader RM.
The Paris fashion event marked V's return to the spotlight after completing his mandatory military service, but this intimate birthday celebration reveals a more personal side of his friendships beyond the entertainment industry.
The meeting has captivated Korean netizens, who expressed amazement at seeing these three accomplished figures from vastly different fields together. Son Heung-min captains both Tottenham Hotspur and the South Korean national team and is widely regarded as the greatest Asian footballer of all time.
Cho Seong-jin, born in 1994, made history as the first South Korean to win the 2015 International Chopin Piano Competition. The classical musician has since established himself globally, with an exclusive Deutsche Grammophon contract and regular performances with top orchestras worldwide.
Korean fans have dubbed the combination a "national pride" gathering, marveling at how celebrities from entertainment, sports, and classical music have formed genuine friendships. Comments ranged from surprise at seeing the classical pianist in such a casual setting to appreciation for the authentic camaraderie among the trio.
The photo demonstrates how Korean cultural figures often maintain relationships across different industries, with V's diverse friendship circle spanning from fellow K-pop idols to internationally acclaimed athletes and musicians.
This rare glimpse into V's personal life comes as BTS prepares for their long-awaited group reunion, with all members expected to complete their military service by mid-2025.