If you’ve spent more than five minutes on the "K-side" of the internet, you know that celebrity friendships usually feel like a PR fever dream. They’re polished. They’re staged. They’re basically just two famous people holding coffee cups while a manager stands three feet away with a stopwatch.
But then there’s Park Seo Joon and V.
Honestly, the bond between these two—and the rest of the Wooga Squad—is the outlier that makes everyone else look like they’re trying too hard. It’s been nearly a decade since they first met on the set of Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth in 2016. Usually, co-stars say "let’s grab dinner sometime" and then never speak again. Not these guys.
The story of how a top-tier actor like Park Seo Joon and a global icon like V (Kim Taehyung) became actual, real-life brothers is less about red carpets and more about late-night walks along the Han River and honesty that kind of hurts.
The Hwarang Era: Where It All Started
Let’s go back to 2016. Taehyung was the "secret weapon" of BTS, but he’d never acted a day in his life. He was cast as Suk Han-sung, the youngest of the Hwarang warriors.
Imagine being 20 years old, arguably the biggest idol on the planet, and suddenly you’re on a historical drama set surrounded by veteran actors. V has admitted he was "totally lost." He didn't know how to channel the emotions needed for his lines.
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Most people in Park Seo Joon’s position—already an established leading man—might have just done their job and gone home. Instead, Seo Joon took Taehyung under his wing. During the In the Soop: Friendcation series, V specifically thanked Seo Joon for helping him find his footing when he felt unstable.
Seo Joon recently joked in a December 2025 press conference for his drama Surely Tomorrow that the squad members "aren't that interested" in each other's work. But we all know that's hyung-speak for "I’ve seen every frame he’s ever filmed."
What Most People Get Wrong About the Wooga Squad
There's this common misconception that the Wooga Squad is just a bunch of actors V met on set. That’s not quite it.
The squad is a weird, beautiful mix of different worlds. You’ve got the actors: Park Seo Joon, Park Hyung Sik, and Choi Woo Shik. Then you have Peakboy, a singer-producer who has been best friends with Seo Joon since high school.
It wasn't a corporate casting. Seo Joon basically acted as the "connector." He introduced his Hwarang co-stars (V and Hyung Sik) to his childhood friend (Peakboy) and his other best friend (Woo Shik).
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The name "Wooga" itself is a shortened version of the Korean phrase "Woori-ga Gajok-inga?" which translates to "Are we family?" It’s a bit of a dad joke, which fits their energy perfectly.
Why Their Dynamic Actually Works
In the entertainment industry, everyone wants something from you. But within this group, the hierarchy is surprisingly flat.
- The Honesty Policy: They don't just give each other compliments. Seo Joon has said they give "honest feedback" that can be blunt.
- The "Intern" Energy: On the show Jinny's Kitchen, we saw a different side of Park Seo Joon and V. Seo Joon was the kitchen lead, and V was the intern. There was no "global superstar" treatment. V was washing dishes and prepping ingredients.
- The Military Gap: When V enlisted, the group didn't just post a "miss you" photo. They were there for his send-off and, as we saw in late 2025, they were the first ones there for his discharge, wearing matching "Welcome Back" shirts.
Recent Updates: Hawaii and The Han River
If you missed the December 2025 updates, the squad recently took a massive trip to Hawaii. Taehyung posted a dump of photos on Instagram showing the whole crew—Seo Joon, Woo Shik, Hyung Sik, and Peakboy—enjoying water activities and grocery shopping.
It’s these mundane moments that stick.
A few months ago, in October 2025, a fan spotted Seo Joon, V, and Hyung Sik walking along the Han River in the rain. No umbrellas. No masks. Just three guys getting soaked and laughing. That’s the kind of stuff you can’t fake for a camera.
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The "Scary" First Impression
One of the funniest details about Park Seo Joon and V is that Taehyung originally found Seo Joon "scary" to approach. Seo Joon has a very professional, sometimes intense aura on set.
It took V being incredibly vulnerable—literally going to Seo Joon and saying, "I don't know how to do this"—to break that ice. Now, Seo Joon treats him like a younger brother who needs to be looked after but also teased relentlessly.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the journey of Park Seo Joon and V, here is how to stay updated without falling for the "clickbait" rumors that often plague their friendship:
- Watch the Reality Series: If you want to see the real chemistry, skip the fan edits and watch In the Soop: Friendcation (Disney+) and Jinny's Kitchen (Prime Video). These shows capture the unscripted bickering that defines their bond.
- Follow the "Awesome ENT" and "BigHit" Links: While they rarely post "official" photos together, Seo Joon’s agency and BTS’s official channels often cross-reference their support for each other's premieres.
- Look for the Subtle Support: In early 2026, V has been seen supporting Seo Joon's new project Surely Tomorrow. He doesn't always make a big post about it; sometimes he just shows up at the private screening.
- Respect the Privacy: The squad is famous for being "quietly active." If there are no photos for six months, it doesn't mean they've had a falling out—it usually means they're just hanging out at each other's houses away from the cameras.
The friendship between Park Seo Joon and V is a reminder that even in the most manufactured industry in the world, you can still find something that's actually, well, real. They aren't just "industry friends." They're the kind of friends who show up when the cameras are off and the rain is pouring.