V from BTS, aka Kim Taehyung, aka Tae (ARMYs use these names interchangeably) released a new song today. “Winter Ahead” is a collaboration with Park Hyo-shin, a song that highlights V’s musical leanings. 

 

Each member of BTS has their own personal style sound and preference. Jin, for example, has leaned into big ballads and pop soft rock. Jungkook’s solo work is heavily influenced by pop R&B. All of them, as a group, are versatile, of course, and they can migrate seamlessly across genres, but when they’re on their own, they have the opportunity to more deeply explore and live in a specific music vibe. And for V, he has gravitated towards jazz, the standards, and that’s where “Winter Ahead” lives. He’s also releasing a Bing Crosby collaboration “White Christmas” due out in December. 

 

Tae’s voice is so velvety and rich, it comes through beautifully on this new track. The video is dreamy although I have to say, it confuses me that Park Hyo-shin isn’t in it. Because when a different voice comes in and we don’t see him, to me there’s a disconnect. I watched it while I was getting my hair done with Caitlin today and she was into it for sure but when Tae started singing and Park Hyo-shin came on, given that she’s not all that familiar with Tae to begin with, Caitlin was like… why did he change his voice? And then we went back to enjoying the visuals. As usual, the hair and makeup and clothing choices here are perfect. I want this f-cking cardigan, and that silver shirt is sexy AF on him. Also, he’s just so goddamn pretty, it’s unfair. 

 

This of course was filmed before V enlisted for military service, when his hair was still in idol mode, well before the “transformation”. It’s a thing with Korean stars. They go in looking one way and they come out… 

Let me show you. 

Here’s one version of V, pre-army: 

 

And here’s the other V in a video that’s gone viral from this week, at a dance session that was likely on one of his scheduled leaves from military service. 

 

He’s been active on socials the last few days, likely to increase anticipation for the new song. The hair is short because he’s in active duty but I think you can see what I mean about the “transformation”. Like I said, Korean stars, they go into the army and they come out ripped. For the actors, this usually means that in the first drama they film immediately following their discharge, there’s almost always a shirtless scene, so that they can show it off. 

 

Not long now for BTS. It’ll be just over six months when RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook complete their service, followed shortly after by Suga. Next month marks two years when Jin was the first to go in. By this time next year, the comeback will be imminent, if not already in progress.