V: “I tried my best to make this album.”

V
He spent most of his childhood with his grandmother in Geochang, a small town in southern South Korea. He had a taste for old music, from Chet Baker to Frank Sinatra to Elvis Presley, and a brooding, smoldering vibe that made him stand out among his bandmates. He’s got a voice to match, delivering a smoky baritone on his bedroom-inspired debut EP. Transfer. He has always been and always will be an integral part of BTS’s sound. Ariranghis songwriting contributions included such important songs as “Into the Sun”. He seems quietly confident about everything except for his inability to hit the high notes that come naturally to someone like Jimin. “I’m at the bottom,” he said in an interview at Hybe’s headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, in February. “But I’ve learned a lot. I’ve gotten better since learning from past albums, but it’s always a challenge for me.”

How did you feel when it became clear that the end was approaching in 2022? This is all you have known for a long time.
Well, even if I wanted to act, I couldn’t do it while I was in the military. So I was really looking forward to appearing in it. I wanted to release an album, and I wanted to sing and dance. I definitely felt it…desire? Let’s call it desire. But we were needed by our country, so we had to do the best we could with the circumstances at the time. So I tried hard to forget about BTS’s V for a while so I could focus on living my life as Kim Taehyung.

He said that after being discharged from the hospital, he rebuilt his mind and body and reset himself. What does that mean to you?
That idea was very important to me. I knew that my time in the military would be quite long, so I seriously thought about how I could make the most of it and not waste it. First, I thought about my values ​​and health. I looked back on myself and thought about what kind of person I wanted to be in the end, sorting out my inner self and thinking about it. So, during that year and a half, I did a lot of training. I read a lot of books and listened to a lot of music. And I think that was the trigger for me to rebuild my mind and body.

What is the most important thing you have read?
I asked my friend, “I want to read it! Do you have any book recommendations?” And they were very excited and recommended books by Han Kang and Keigo Higashino. This is literally all I’ve read. There was also a book called Eleven steps. It was a kind of philosophy book. But no matter what book I read, I found myself replacing the text. For example, it’s like imagining yourself as a character in a novel. At that time, I was very immersed in my imagination. Was it helpful? I’m not sure.

Rolling Stone’s May issue features the most ambitious cover story package in the magazine’s nearly 60-year history. A total of 8 different covers are featured. In addition to the group covers and stories, we’ll be releasing seven solo covers (each with a video and solo Q&A) until Monday, April 20th. click here For continued coverage, and click here Buy the box set that includes all 8 covers.

Rolling Stone’s May issue features the most ambitious cover story package in the magazine’s nearly 60-year history. A total of 8 different covers are featured. In addition to the group covers and stories, we’ll be releasing seven solo covers (each with a video and solo Q&A) until Monday, April 20th. click here For continued coverage, and click here Buy the box set that includes all 8 covers.

ARMY said you seem more confident. Do you feel that way?
But…I actually noticed that after I exercised, I looked and felt different, both on the outside and on the inside, than when I wasn’t exercising. I think that’s why I have a more confident body.

You are very careful about your solo music. There are a lot of songs that you have created, but they are either not released to the world or they are deleted. what did it mean to get layover Will it be completed and released into the world?
layover These words came to mind when I felt the need to reflect on my journey as V of BTS. The word “layover” refers to a stop between destinations, but for me it expresses that my life is not a straight path. What I’m trying to say is, “I can make this kind of music, but I also like many other styles.” I love jazz, classical music, and even alternative music, so I wanted to share it with ARMYs and listeners. I truly love music, layover It’s a representation of me.

BTS’ new album is very different from your solo work. So what were your personal goals for the album?
First and most importantly, there is not a single song on this album that is not my style. It’s all my style and the kind of music I wanted to make. I think this was also a color I wanted to pursue in terms of genre. So I tried my best to make this album, and there’s a lot of love in this album. this Arirang Album, that is.

Watch the video interview below

Do you have a favorite moment for yourself or the other members on this album?
Because we worked on so many songs, there were a lot of songs we loved that didn’t make it onto the album. Of course, some of the songs included are my favorites. But most of all…I can’t wait to get back on stage. Because my favorite songs always change every time I play them.

In a group of seven members, sonic territory is limited. Does ego ever come into play, like “I want to be more involved in this song” or “This song where I’m featured more didn’t work”?
Well, I think I was more worried about whether I would be able to work. No matter how much you like listening to something, playing it yourself is a completely different experience. So even if you love something, you have to work very hard to interpret and reimagine it in a way that makes sense to you. But I don’t think it’s a bad thing if my part is reduced or I don’t play a central role in the song. Because another member will take his place. But…in a way, I felt relieved. However, if the seven of us don’t get along, the song will just be inherited.

I think this group is good at making everyone feel pretty much equal.
right. And now that all seven members have been doing solo activities, their egos have become stronger. We thought things might be different if we got together again, but we actually amplified each other and were able to make a better album. Therefore, I feel that my work is more refined than before.

Is it accurate to say that you have no desire to be a solo pop star?
If you have zero desire, shouldn’t you quit being an artist? I learned so much from [the other members] While working on this album, I gained a lot from observing their trajectory. I really learned a lot. So when the time comes to make my next solo album, I will absorb the best strengths of all the members.

I love jazzy sounds like the solo song “Winter Ahead.” It’s a really beautiful song. But it seems like you’re open to making a pop album.
Yeah. Even that is a style of music that I love and a style that I have pursued. Of course. I don’t know when that will happen, but it’s a genre that I have to try someday, and I’d like to try it. I think so.

ARMY loves your acting, but we would like you to play a role where the character doesn’t die. Do you do more and look for parts where the characters come to life?
I think my way of thinking is the same for acting and music. When acting, it’s important to try out different parts that you wouldn’t be able to experience in real life. Similarly, I don’t want to limit my music to one genre. I want to experience all the genres I love. I also hope that someday, if I have the opportunity, I will be able to play many of the roles that I have always wanted to try.

If there is one jazz artist you want ARMY to fall in love with, who would it be?
Oh, there are too many! Etta James!