The low voice softly approaching and whispers, BTS V’s freely gestures 

부드럽게 다가와 속삭이는 나직한 음성, 방탄소년단 뷔의 자유로운 몸짓들

‘V’s serene radiance once more unfurled—an effortless presence suspended in time’s gentle cadence, even in the flutter of his lashes. Amidst the lavish lighting and intricate jewelry gracing him, V’s poised demeanor exuded an irresistible allure. In the prelude of the ‘Love Me Again’ music video, a glimpse into his forthcoming solo debut album Layover, his aura resonated with the glitz of a glam rock icon. Surrounded by the mystical cavern’s grandeur, where stalactites dangled otherworldly, however, he stood as a modern embodiment of Narcissus—illuminated by suspended luminance that blazed as fiercely as the sun.

In the subsequent preview of ‘Rainy Days’, the very essence of the music video can be distilled into ‘an intensity of sentiment’. Throughout album creation, V’s aspiration was to unveil new dimension within himself, and the diverse personas nurtured through shared experiences. The seamless harmony of music videos for five album tracks appears almost as a foregone conclusion—an homage to artistic brilliance. From V’s mellifluous vocal expressions to the aura, he commands before the lens, it beckons not just ARMY, but also producers and visual artisans eager to plunge into his creative depths.

Be it the entrancing glimmer in his gaze, the captivating grace of his fingers, or the elegant contour of his silhouette, W Korea captured each essence of V through the lens. As the sun descended casting its gentle hues, ‘In these days, happiness flourishes and joy fills.’ V casually imparted.’

**introduction translation has not been retranslated. It was already beautifully worded. Source of the excerpt above is original English version of the article**

Before <W Korea> the members released solo albums or singles one by one. In June of 2022, BTS wrapped up one chapter through releasing <Proof> which holds all the collective history of the past years. Watching member’s solo activities, what kind of thoughts emerged for you? 

V: Watching member’s performances, I felt proud and even felt a surge of emotions. At home, not missing a single one, I enjoyed watching all the promotional activities that members did. 

Now it’s V’s turn. We heard the news that you are releasing a solo album <Layover> on September 8th. While putting your focus on working on it, what were your biggest concerns or topics?

“With the solo album ARMYs will be seeing my face for the first time in a long time… how should I go on a diet…’ I had this thought most often (laugh) 

<Layover> is a collaboration between Min Hee-jin, the president of ADOR and the creative genius behind NewJeans. We are curious to know what drew your attention for you to make a decision in wanting to work with Min Hee-jin executive producer. 

I wanted to show a completely new side compared to the past works and I wanted to work on my albums with someone who can maximize my aesthetics. I really liked f(x)’s album <Pink Tape>. I reached out when I remembered that. We shared many conversations together, shared small detailed ideas, and the working process was really nice. She was very sincere about working on the album. She’s a very warm and nice person.

You have probably gone through many recordings before, but it was probably different in many ways to work solely alone as a solo. There are details only you know and feel. Are there some things you discovered about yourself in the process of working on the album? 

I think I started my vocal practice from scratch again. ‘Vocalizing the sounds like this it’s new and nice’, ‘pronouncing it this way, feels like it’s coming out a bit better’ through this way, it felt like I found my own voice.

Early in your debut days, you sang “Love’s Twist” by Sul Woon-do on <Bangtan Gayo> right? You also released a video of yourself singing jazz songs in June this year. V, you have a very unique voice that is hard to find from a vocalist in their twenties. In the low register there is a ring with a mature tone. Are you familiar with the vocal range or vocal method that makes your charm stand out the most?

It’s just some humming along since I always liked and had curiosity in many various genres. (laugh) Yes, through working on the solo album this time, I was able to truly discover my vocal range and vocal style, so I was happy. 

For the solo album <Layover>, between what V is good at and what V likes, what is it closer to? 

You will be able to see both, what I’m good at and what I like. I am very confident about this type of vibes! (laugh) The specifics, that’s still a secret. 

Heard that you and team member Jungkook often share each other’s work from time to time? According to Jungkook from a video content, he mentioned that his solo single ‘Seven’ that he released in July, V you were probably the first one who got to listen after the recording finished. Then he added, “But our music taste doesn’t quite align. He likes ‘calm and cool’ things.” To you, V, what does it mean by ‘cool’?

Hahahahaha. The ‘cool’ that I picture, it’s very diverse. For example, there is an unreleased song of Namjoon hyung’s (RM), that song is a song that shows an immense amount of ‘cool’ that gets me to even think ‘one day, I hope I am able to sing a song like that’. It’s the song that Namjoon hyung sang recently at Suga hyung’s encore concert as a surprise appearance. 

For an artist to show something to the world, there are various processes that others are not aware of. Out of those, when do you feel thrilled the most?

I think I feel a huge sense of accomplishment and thrill when I am able to make the image that I had pictured come to life at music videos or photo shoots. 

Even for veterans there are moments when they get nervous. How do you get rid of the nervousness? It’s a battle within yourself that others can’t do anything for you. 

It is rather more fun to stand on stage with a bit of nervousness / tension. The nervousness that I feel while on stage is actually a joyful tremor, so I like it.  

What kind of compliments make you especially happy when you hear it? 

Hmm… if it’s a compliment, I like whatever it is. On the days I hear a compliment, I dance while on the way back home.

What is the temperament or personality of yourself that you think and like about yourself?

May be a bit slow but firm, I guess like a ‘tanker’ [tn. Tank position in games] kind of side.

What is your weakness?

That I am on a bit of a slow pace? So ARMYs might feel a bit frustrated. For instance, ARMYs waited for a very long time for my solo album. I also felt very sorry. To be honest, I was going to announce it last December but the process got long, so I have been carrying an apologetic heart.

When you are making an important choice in life, do you tend to trust your instinct and judgment or listen to the opinions of others?

While trusting my instinct and judgment, I also actively listen to the opinions of my surroundings at the same time. I believe the importance of both. 

 

A superstar who lives under huge love often has fantastic experiences inside the countless spotlight. On the other hand, as those times progresses, the degree of emotion and gratitude may diminish a bit by bit than it did as before. 

I think it is true. For me, there was a moment of stagnation on the stage, I felt, to not forget the feeling of being touched and gratefulness, I needed a new side of me. Newness, I tried to find more of mine, and through this album I tried to show that.

Even when you go through various experiences and changes as you grow older, if you think carefully, there is something that does change and maintain within one’s self. What is something that is holding its place like a pillar within V or Kim Taehyung?

If there are a lot of things that would make me laugh that day, it seems like everything goes well. The atmosphere of the set, the member’s condition are important, the thought of a day-off tomorrow, thinking about the menu for what I will eat, no matter how small it is, I put a lot of importance on ‘spending the day happily’ 

Then what kind of desire or ambition is taking a big part in V currently? 

Desire, ambition, I don’t really have much that would fall under that. I hear a lot that I really don’t have greed. I should have a certain amount of greed but I wrap up the day based on the day’s happiness level ‘I lived well, today was another happy day’. But hmmm…. I think I feel a bit of ambition when I am shooting photo shoots. (laugh) 

If the environment and conditions are met, is there a stage of your dream that you envisioned, you really want to have one day? 

Whatever it would be, anything is fine, I just want to see a lot of ARMYs.

Original Article Korean Version

tn; although the official translation provided by <W Korea> is beautifully eloquently worded, reading both Korean and English articles I noticed some of the Taehyung’s answers were missing bit of nuances in the answers that he has said along with some word choices that he had not actually said. I am aware that I am not a professional so I am not saying this version of translation is the best but I tried to make it as straightforward as possible and close to what he said.