BTS’ V Gives Us The Ultimate Friends-To-Lovers Anthem With ‘FRI(END)S’

Courtesy of BIGHIT MUSIC

editor, interviewer, columnist, writer, and all-around obsessive music lover.

In news that will surprise absolutely no-one, we wanna be ‘FRI(END)S’ with BTS‘s V. The group might currently be completing their military enlistments, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t making sure that they’re always at the front of our minds (as if it could be any other way!). Fresh off the back of his starring role in IU’s ‘Love wins all’ music video, Taehyung is back with new digital single ‘FRI(END)S.’

“So Let’s Put The “End” In Friends”

Every ARMY knows that BTS loves a bit of wordplay, and this extends to their solo work as well! ‘FRI(END)S’ tells a story that we can probably all relate to – we’ve all likely had a crush on a friend at one stage or another. ‘FRI(END)S’ is – quite literally – about wanting to put the end in friends. This is giving us ‘Ddaeng,’ “ille-girl” from ‘Dimple,’ and “Sarang / 사랑” vs. “Saram / 사람” from ‘Trivia: Love’ all over again.

That’s not to say this lovesong is all jokes, though – V knows the risk he’s taking with this sweet confession. The second verse is far more cautious than the first, with lyrics like “Know we’ll never be the same.” In fact, we think it’s so clever how the lyrics and the track play off one another – building in intensity that almost makes us nervous on Taehyung’s behalf! The switch-up in V’s vocal tone (which is gorgeous, BTW) actually reminded us of Taylor Swift’s frantic “Stay!” in ‘All You Had To Do Was Stay.’

“Friends… Just For Now”

‘FRI(END)S,’ like its creator in many ways, is a bit of a juxtaposition; it’s groovy but ever-so-slightly panicked. It’s sultry, but the choir and gang vocals make it almost childlike in its joy and naivety. It’s sweet and gently tumultuous, which is a combination we didn’t even know was possible. Overall, ‘FRI(END)S’ is a very convincing argument, if you ask us.

Ok, fine, we’ll say it point blank: this song is super swoon-worthy. ‘FRI(END)S’ feels like an extension of V’s solo album, Layover, from last Autumn. Except this time, spring has sprung! The timing of this release couldn’t be more perfect; the youthful sense of hope couldn’t be more apt for this time of year! If ‘FRI(END)S’ signifies the end of a friendship and the start of a romance, then isn’t spring, the season of change, the perfect time for it?

‘FRI(END)S’ Music Video

Ultimately, at the core of his work, Taehyung is a storyteller. The music video for ‘FRI(END)S’ is so in line with his sense of humor that it’s actually unreal. Two lives play out side-by-side, one where V seems to be single, and things are bleak and monotonous, and in the other he’s giddily in love while the rest of the world is miserable. The darkly comedic undertones suit both the song and Taehyung so well. V manages to walk a tightrope that many celebrities attempt, but most fail – he’s the perfect juxtaposition of silly and suave!

What are your thoughts on ‘FRI(END)S’ from V? Are you as obsessed with the storyline as we are? Tell us over on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! And if you want to chat with us and our readers, join our Discord!