V had a brief but impactful encounter with fans before the group's highly anticipated return. On the late evening of the 21st, V hosted a 10-minute broadcast via Weverse Live. Appearing in a black set-up outfit, he greeted fans casually, saying, "I just got back from a run." Instead of the "bulked-up" physique that trended during his military service, he appeared with a more lean and refined silhouette, naturally revealing that he is consistently managing his fitness for the upcoming comeback.
Starting with the remark that it felt like a long time since his last live, V stated, "I’ve been so busy lately... preparing for various things, the Gwanghwamun concert, our tour, and the upcoming 'ARIRANG' album. I've been staying busy with all of that." He also took a moment to ask fans, "How have you all been?"
Despite the short duration, the broadcast was vibrant. He relaxed the atmosphere by grooving to music and answered questions while reading fan comments. In particular, when asked about moving, he replied in a mix of English and кσяєαn: "It’s my new house! I moved. I felt like it was about time, so I moved."
V also revealed a glimpse of the interior of his new home and introduced some of the artworks he is collecting, prompting fans to remark that the apartment looked like a miniature museum. One of the first pieces that caught fans’ attention was Lunatic Beauty by Woo Kukwon—a painting that had previously been seen in his former apartment—which explores human love and emotions: beautiful and innocent, yet haunting and vulnerable.
Not stopping there, V drew attention to another artwork and explained, “There’s another painting that I really like. If you look closely, you’ll see a bear eating ice cream.” The piece he introduced to fans was Mr. Three Scoops by artist Alison Friend. The painting evokes the theme of modern people living in a world of comfort and consumerism, yet remaining naïve, lonely, and searching for fragile forms of happiness. At the same time, it serves as a subtle warning about excess, privilege, and luxury lifestyles—essentially a satirical take on flaunting wealth.
This interpretation left netizens in αωє of V’s depth of artistic insight and his humble self-awareness despite being one of the world’s top K-pop superstars. Meanwhile, the artist herself reacted on Instagram after learning that V had purchased the piece, saying, “Well! I was just sat quietly painting and suddenly lots of DM’s started pouring. Apparently this ice cream loving chap had made a guest appearance on @/thv live stream! How exciting!! Of course I’m happy to see Mr Three Scoops in his new home".
In addition to the two artworks V introduced, fans also noticed the Seeing (Pink) BFF Lamp, 2020, priced at up to $49,800, placed on a decorative shelf. V is known as a celebrity who is particularly fond of KAWS, and his previous luxury apartment also featured many plush toys and figures from the brand. What touched fans even more was that the piece is believed to have a connection to his late dog, Yeontan.
Finally, the artwork I Am Pinocchio by кσяєαn artist Kim Bong-soo, introduced at the end of the video, is a well-known contemporary sculpture among Asian art collectors. Kim Bong-soo uses the figure of Pinocchio to pose the question: “Are modern humans truly themselves, or merely versions shaped by society?” The title itself provides an answer—not who Pinocchio is, but that we are Pinocchio.
By choosing this piece, V seems to be acknowledging the truth that all of us carry the long noses of compromise. Rather than avoiding it, he confronts it head-on. He understands the pressures of becoming the “perfect version” society expects, yet that very awareness appears to grant him a sense of freedom. Moreover, Kim Bong-soo’s art uses rigid materials but conveys a sense of solitude in its form, closely aligning with V’s signature “Vante” aesthetic.
Rather than simply selecting artworks for decorative purposes or high monetary value, V places great emphasis on pieces with social commentary and critical perspectives. Witnessing the artworks and decorative items in his collection, fans cannot help but admire both his wealth and his deeply artistic soul.
However, this is still not the full extent of the meaningful and expensive artworks inside his 14.2 billion won penthouse at The Penthouse Cheongdam (PH129). As V said, “There are quite a few ‘new friends’ (artworks), but I haven’t finished organizing everything, so I’ll reveal them one by one later.” Fans are now even more eager for the next visual feast he will share.
