BTS 'Borahae' coined by V aka Kim Taehyung turns 10 years November 13 marks a special milestone for BTS and ARMY as Kim Taehyung, aka V, completes 10 years of 'Borahae', the iconic phrase that brought a new meaning to the colour purple. First coined during BTS' 3rd Muster fan meeting in Seoul on November 13, 2016, the expression, which translates to 'I Purple You', quickly became a symbol of the special bond between the K-pop group and its global fandom. What began as a spontaneous moment during a fan interaction has since grown into a worldwide expression of love, trust and unwavering support. Here's looking back at its beautiful story. November 13, 2026, marks 10 years since BTS member Kim Taehyung, popularly known as V, gave the world one of its most cherished expressions of love: 'Borahae'. What started as a spontaneous remark during a fan meeting in Seoul has since become an inseparable part of BTS' identity and its relationship with ARMY. As the phrase celebrates its 10th anniversary, let's revisit the heartwarming moment that gave the world 'I Purple You'. The story dates back to November 13, 2016, when BTS held its 3rd Muster fan meeting in Seoul. During the event, ARMY surprised the members with a special fan project. Fans covered their ARMY Bomb lightsticks with purple plastic bags, transforming the venue into a beautiful sea of purple. The sight left the BTS members visibly touched. It was during this special interaction that Taehyung came up with the word 'Borahae', giving the fandom a phrase that would go on to define their relationship with the group. Explaining the meaning behind his newly coined expression, Taehyung said that purple was the last colour of the rainbow. He associated it with a promise to trust and love one another for a long time, until the very end. The word 'Borahae' combines 'bora', the Korean word for purple, with 'saranghae', meaning 'I love you'. The phrase is commonly translated as 'I Purple You'. What made the moment even more special was its spontaneity. Taehyung created the expression while addressing fans, without knowing that it would eventually become one of the most recognisable phrases associated with BTS. Over the years, 'Borahae' has evolved into much more than a sweet phrase exchanged between an artist and his fans. Purple has become closely associated with BTS and ARMY, with fans around the world using the expression to communicate affection, trust and solidarity. From social media posts and fan projects to concerts and special celebrations, 'I Purple You' has become a shared language for the fandom. The colour purple is also frequently used to illuminate landmarks and public spaces during BTS-related celebrations. The popularity of 'Borahae' eventually extended beyond the BTS fandom, becoming a recognisable part of the group's global cultural influence. Its significance has also entered conversations around intellectual property and trademark recognition in South Korea. For ARMY, however, the phrase's real value has always remained rooted in the promise Taehyung made that November evening: to trust and love one another for a long time. Talking about the phrase Borahae, V once said in an interview, "At that time, ARMY had covered their ARMY bombs with purple fabric, so the lights looked purple. That's when I suddenly thought of it 'let's say there is a rainbow and that rainbow represents youth or life since the last colour is purple.' I implied that we should cherish, trust, rely on and love each other until the end. I didn't think it would become such a big deal." As 'Borahae' completes a decade, BTS fans across the world have taken to social media to celebrate the special occasion and revisit the beautiful meaning behind Taehyung's iconic creation. Fans shared heartfelt tributes, expressing how the phrase continues to represent the unbreakable bond between BTS and ARMY. One fan wrote, "Happy 10 years with borahae! A beautiful symbol of trust and care that Taehyung created out of love." Another emotional tribute read, "Ten years ago today, beloved Taehyung coined Borahae, giving purple a meaning that transcends language, borders and generations." The post further described it as a "global symbol of love, trust and unbreakable bonds." Celebrating the milestone, another fan shared, "What Taehyung created from his heart became more than just a word—a beautiful symbol of love, trust, and comfort, shared by millions. A precious gift we'll cherish forever."