BTS member V will take the mound as a starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball.
On the 17th (local time), the Dodgers announced via social media, "Are you ready, ARMY?" and "V will throw the first pitch at Dodger Stadium on August 25."
The post received over 40,000 'likes' within about two hours. As news of V's first pitch spread, the ticket reservation site for the game experienced an influx of visitors, reportedly causing temporary access issues.
Previously, the Dodgers had also announced the first pitch by soccer player Son Heung-min, who joined Major League Soccer's LA FC on the 27th. V and Son Heung-min will both take the mound just two days apart, drawing global attention.
The Dodgers, known for inviting global stars from Korea to throw the first pitch, are historically famous for having players like Park Chan-ho and Ryu Hyun-jin. Currently, Korean player Kim Hye-sung is playing but is undergoing rehabilitation for a shoulder injury.
Meanwhile, BTS, which includes V, is working on an album with the goal of a full group comeback in the first half of next year. All members have completed their military service as of last June.