It seems that no one in this world is without someone they admire — admiration is a natural feeling, as it reflects the values, ideals, and dreams we aspire to.

Over the years, V has become a source of inspiration for countless people around the world thanks to his talent, success, personality, and beauty. Yet, there are also many artists within the industry that he himself looks up to — figures who have shaped his artistic journey.

In an interview themed "Which artist is my main inspiration?”, V opened up for the first time about the three Western artists he considers his role models — those who have profoundly influenced his artistic direction.

The first name V mentioned was Kurt Cobain, and his admiration for the late αмєяι¢αn singer-songwriter runs so deep that even his fellow BTS members, like Jimin, are well aware of it. Often referred to as the “spokesperson of Generation X,” Cobain is regarded as one of the most influential musicians in the history of alternative rock.

His music was characterized by its gritty, raw, and “∂ιяту” sound, with introspective, often dark, anti-establishment lyrics. This unique blend of punk rock (rebellious, raw, anti-social) and heavy metal (distorted guitar, powerful sound) helped enrich the thematic depth of mainstream rock.

V admitted that Kurt Cobain was his earliest source of inspiration when he began his musical journey. “Kurt Cobain was my inspiration when I was a trainee,” he shared.

The next artist on V’s list is John Legend — who also happens to be a favorite of Jungkook. Throughout his illustrious career, Legend has won 10 Grammy Awards, 1 Golden Globe, and 1 Academy Award. In 2007, he was honored with the Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

John Legend is widely recognized as an icon of contemporary R&B, blending elements of clαѕѕic soul, gospel, pop, and jazz — the very same musical style that V pursues. His solo album Layover is a clear testament to how deeply he’s been influenced by Legend’s artistry. In fact, Jungkook and V once performed Legend’s global нιт All of Me together during a fan meeting in נαραи.

The final artist on the list is Justin Bieber — whom V identified as his biggest current inspiration. When RM teasingly guessed that V had been inspired by Bieber’s recent нιтs, saying, “Is it because…his recent songs are great?”, V nodded enthusiastically and even named Holy as one of his all-time favorite tracks.

In recent months, V has covered several of Bieber’s songs during live broadcasts with fans, such as Daises or Go Baby...

Unlike the two veteran musicians mentioned above, Justin Bieber represents the new generation of digital-era artists and global idol culture. The Canadian singer has evolved beyond music to become a pop culture icon whose influence spans multiple fields.

Bieber embo∂ιєs a “coming-of-age in public” narrative — from a child prodigy to a mature artist who faced mistakes, crises, and eventually rediscovered himself. Leveraging the power of social media and contemporary trends, he’s explored a wide range of musical styles.

He also pioneered the transition from teen idol pop to R&B-pop crossover, influencing younger artists such as Shawn Mendes, Troye Sivan, and even new-generation K-pop idols like V. As one of the best-selling artists of all time, with over 150 million records sold worldwide, Bieber stands as a model figure for modern young musicians.