The track was recorded before the release of his debut solo album in the fall of 2023
V of 21st century pop icons BTS has shared his new digital single “Fri(end)s,” along with an accompanying music video via BigHit Music. Following the release of his first solo album Layover in September 2023, which showcased V’s distinctive musical style and emotional depth, the soulful vocalist returns with “Fri(end)s” to captivate audiences again with his unique charms and tastes.
The pop/soul/R&B track sings of a heart-warming confession that heralds the onset of spring. V’s rich, soulful vocals that effortlessly traverse between low and high ranges, accompanied by a dulcet melody and cozy rhythm, enhance the forthright sincerity and sweetness of the emotions conveyed in the track. Furthermore, the powerful energy of the choir towards the end propels the song to its climax. Through its witty lyrics, “Fri(end)s” expresses the desire to “put the ‘end’ in friends” and elevate a longstanding friendship to a deeper level as cleverly hinted by the title’s wordplay—’End’ bracketed in the word ‘Friends.’
“‘Fri(end)s’ is a track I recorded while searching for something special to offer my fans,” V shares. “It’s full of charm, so I truly believe it will be loved by Army.”
The track was recorded before the release of Layover, during which he left a message for his fans.
The music video, also available, was directed by renowned British photographer and director Samuel Bradley. It consists of elements that evoke empathy and surprise through its unexpected twists, deviating from stereotypes that portray the familiar narrative of transitioning from friends to lovers. As explained by the director, “The video depicts V as a conflicted protagonist experiencing love from two different perspectives”—one as a single individual and the other involved in a romantic relationship. As his day unfolds twice, in one scenario, he is alone amidst couples, evoking bitterness and loneliness, while in the second, he is part of a couple himself, radiating the warmth of springtime with a smile on his face.
The music video’s aesthetics are elevated by the meticulous attention to detail seen in V’s subtle changes in attire, hairstyle, props, and facial expressions that heighten his effortlessly cool charm. Coupled with his dreamy visuals and versatile range of looks that shift between eccentric and sleek, the repetition in the black comedy-style video wittily unfolds as two distinct narratives.
Moreover, incorporating death as a motif to distinguish between the lives of a ‘lonely man’ and a ‘lovestruck man’ makes for an intriguing plot twist. This provides a fresh perspective, interpreting the word “End” in the song’s title as not only the conclusion of a friendship but also “the end” or death itself—an uncommon theme in a song about confessing romantic feelings.
