BTS dropped the music video for “2.0” on 1 April 2026, and almost immediately, one member stole the entire conversation. V (real name Kim Taehyung) showed up with a full beard and mustache, a look that fans had never seen from him before. Naturally, the internet had a lot to say.
What Is the “2.0” Music Video About?
“2.0” is a B-side track from BTS’s fifth studio album, ARIRANG, released on 20 March 2026. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, while the lead single “SWIM” topped the Billboard Hot 100, marking BTS’s seventh career #1 on that chart and one of the strongest commercial comebacks of their career following their military hiatus period.
The MV for “2.0” pays tribute to Park Chan-wook’s 2003 Korean thriller Oldboy, particularly its iconic single-take hallway fight scene. However, BTS gave it a comedic, performance-driven spin rather than a straight recreation. All seven members, RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, appear in retro-inspired suits and leather jackets, carrying props like a back scratcher, a fan, a danso flute, and a newspaper. The result is a concept-focused MV that blends noir drama with deliberate humour, fitting the album’s broader theme of celebrating Korean cultural roots.
V’s Beard: The Look That Started Everything
| Detail | What Happened |
| MV Release Date | 1 April 2026, via HYBE Labels on YouTube |
| V’s Look | Full beard and moustache, retro noir-inspired styling |
| Inspiration | 1970s gangster aesthetic tied to the Oldboy tribute concept |
| Behind-the-Scenes Photos | Posted by V on Instagram on 3 April 2026 |
| V’s Own Reaction | Added a crying gif on Instagram Stories, suggesting the look did not suit him |
| Fan Reaction | Widely divided, but largely supportive |
Unlike his typically smooth, clean-cut appearance in previous BTS content, V’s bearded look in the “2.0” MV marked a clear visual departure. The styling drew on the video’s 1970s noir and gangster aesthetic, which ran through all of the members’ costumes and visual choices. However, V stood out the most. The beard gave him a noticeably more mature and rugged image, which quickly became the main talking point across social media once the MV dropped.
V Didn’t Love It Himself
Here is where things got interesting. On 3 April 2026, two days after the MV release, V shared behind-the-scenes black-and-white photos from the shoot on his Instagram. He then reposted one of those images to his Instagram Stories, adding a crying gif and writing:
“I’ve tried it. And I know. It doesn’t suit me.”
That single line sent fans into full defence mode almost immediately.
How Did Fans React?
The reaction was split, but the majority came out in support of V’s look.
Supporters pointed out:
- The beard suited the comedic, theatrical tone of the MV and was never meant to be a serious image shift
- The overall concept was deliberately playful, with one fan noting: “It’s so funny antis are flocking here being ignorant that BTS were being goofy in the music video”
- Another supporter added: “BTS made us so happy today, BTS are really giving us the fun in our lives”
- The bearded look carried a Western cinematic quality that many felt worked within the Oldboy-inspired concept
Critics argued:
- The beard did not complement V’s features
- Some sent outright negative comments about the styling, which fellow fans quickly pushed back against
Given BTS’s global scale, polarised reactions to visual choices are nothing new. Even minor changes in appearance tend to split opinion across fan communities worldwide, and this moment was no different.
The Wooga Squad Piled On Too
Beyond the MV itself, V posted a TikTok dance challenge video for “2.0” alongside his close friend group, the Wooga Squad, which includes Park Seo-joon, Choi Woo-shik, Park Hyung-sik, and Peakboy. The group wore matching “Keep Swimming” hoodies, a nod to the album’s lead single “SWIM”, and hilariously failed to follow V’s choreography. The bearded look made another appearance here, drawing playful reactions from both the Wooga Squad members and fans watching online. The clip added another layer to an already viral moment and kept the “2.0” conversation going well beyond the initial MV drop.
Key Takeaways
- “2.0” MV dropped on 1 April 2026 via the HYBE Labels YouTube channel
- The track is a B-side from ARIRANG, BTS’s fifth studio album, released 20 March 2026
- V appeared with a full beard and moustache, inspired by a 1970s noir and gangster aesthetic tied to the Oldboy tribute concept
- V shared behind-the-scenes photos on 3 April and stated on Instagram Stories that he did not feel the look suited him
- Fan reactions were heavily divided, with the majority defending the beard as fitting the comedic and theatrical context of the MV
- The moment extended to a Wooga Squad TikTok challenge that also went viral
- ARIRANG debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, with “SWIM” topping the Hot 100 as BTS’s seventh career chart-topper
Whether the beard works or not largely depends on who you ask. V clearly had his reservations, fans mostly pushed back in his favour, and the internet did exactly what it always does when BTS makes a move, which is talk about it for days. One thing is certain though: for a B-side music video meant to be fun and theatrical, “2.0” achieved far more attention than most lead singles ever do.
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