It’s taken awhile, but artists and agencies have figured out how to keep momentum going as idols make their mandatory military enlistment. It used to be unheard of to deliver “new” content during these extended hiatuses, but now it’s become commonplace to record music and even videos for future release during enlistment. ONF managed to pull it off as a full group back in 2022, and HYBE is definitely taking advantage of the approach with BTS members.
It became clear from V’s 2023 album Layover that his solo career would pursue a more muted sound palette, and FRI(END)S feels like a natural offshoot from those songs. It’s sung entirely in English and has slightly more generic radio appeal. It follows the trend of what some have called “diary pop” — songs that aren’t particularly ambitious or original but encapsulate an SNS-friendly statement broad enough to connect with a wide swath of listeners, yet too vague to leave a meaningful mark.
Whatever the language, I’m much more interested in how the music itself resonates. On this front, FRI(END)S is a murky bore. V already has a distinctly foggy singing voice (not a bad thing… it lends him character!) and the arrangement further filters the tone until the song becomes almost weightless. Stomping percussion offers a counterpoint, but trudges along with no definable character or energy. I’m sure legions of fans will be delighted to receive this unexpected musical gift during a time of little BTS activity, but FRI(END)S is stuck in a gear that is definitely not for me.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 7 |
| Bias | 7 |
| RATING | 7 |
Grade: C-
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
My aunt will have a field day with this one (I laugh at the two “deaths” of V. That was the highlight for me lol)
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This song is very V. I love that the BTS solo era has given each of the members a chance to fully embrace their own styles.
Can someone chime in and please explain the music video to me? What’s going on there? Is each death the chance to try again? Or maybe a parallel existence? Why are there two of him at the end?
I need some Sparks notes for this 😀
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1 ) he’s single surrounded by happy couples, but ended with death (metaphorically)
2) happy with a female partner amidst angry couples also ended in death
3) finally ended with himself in bed, representing a partner of same sex is the answer. Thus the smile.
The whole scenario in the background which represents LGBTQ 🏳️🌈 theme is the hidden message (but obvious to some) which is acceptance of all kinds of sexuality.
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Ummm your way off on the 3rd one…you kids need to stop pushing this bs of trying to tie these young men into same sex relationships…hate to tell ya’ll but all of them are straight as can be, only 1 might walk the fence is Jimin and then I would say Bi at best….
The 3rd one is only signifying that he’s okay just being with himself, that he doesn’t have to be considered single or in a relationship of any kind and that you should be okay with being alone at time’s…
Then again, all of it can mean absolutely nothing and he’s laughing at ya’ll just trying to push on some meaning to every little thing shown…
Biggest thing your wrong on that the whole thing is being LGBTQ themed…like just cause they show like 3 couples being same gender doesn’t make the “Whole” thing LGBTQ, hell there were different ages and races and majority were opposite gender’s, you kids need to stop that crap and pushing it on to these K-pop idols, end of the day, their job is only to entertain us, everything else outside of their job is none of anyone’s business, just like all these idiot’s who want to push saying they will only be with someone Korean, times have changed and even in the video’s they don’t show them always with a fellow korean…better get use to it now or else your going to be sadly disappointed when the truth comes out…well speaking mostly to those idiot’s who really think V and JK are going to be a item or one or the other with Jimin…ya’ll are a joke with that mess…lol
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And you need to stop being a homophobic bigot.
Signed,
Not a Kid
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My sentiments exactly!! I couldn’t have said it better myself. All of these idiots who think they have a say in what BTS does, or anyone for that matter, need to get a life. Just enjoy them and appreciate all of their hard work!! True ARMY appreciate and love and respect them as Humans! We don’t care about anything else.
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alright hybe it’s time you let go of the autotune button now.
6.75/10 for me
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It sounds like V covering Justin Timberlake covering Imagine Dragons. I don’t love it, I don’t hate it, its just there. It exists. Plus a fractional point for being in 6/8 time. Minus that same fractional point for the autotune tinny factor stuck on On.
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I feel like I would like this a great deal more with better vocal mixing/processing(? if that’s the right word for it). Which is definitely not the first time I’ve said that when it comes to Hybe. But I think I’ll definitely be revisiting it more than his Layover stuff, it’s fun!
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the funniest part about this was that the mv is 4:13 leaving the song to be 2:28.
Something I noticed about the mv was that it felt like Sweet Venom with that loop thing that happened during the second half of the mv so, cool concept, I feel like it works with this sound.
I actually really like the melody of this song but the verses needed a little more? Also, the production was yet again too safe for my liking. The beat stays almost the exact same throughout the entire song, felt boring ig. Also yet again, this is targeted towards western fans.
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i feel like this is a kind of song that would sound great if it was a new jeans song, that kind of cutesy young peppy attitude like OMG. it needs the kind of personality that i don’t know if V has in him.
and for some reason V sounds very “hello fellow youngsters” in this, which is wild because he is still quite young so i don’t know why its coming off like that
6/10, not bad but not great
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He has a great voice but really doesn’t use it.
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Not sure what you mean???? He does know how to use it in a variety of styles?
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I feel he’s detached from his material as a solo artist. His songs are pleasant but not moving.
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Taehyung
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V has a baritone voice. He is husky with his vocals. Layover was a successful album for him as it brought out his love for jazz. I’m just confused my lovely V tends to die in each video? In IU he dies and in this one? Is he trying to say his old life pre military has changed or something? I hope we don’t lose fun V as he matures in his music. We love you! I still want to see if this song sticks. I don’t want to rate it yet!
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actually it’s clear the writer doesn’t like V and it’s your opinion. The song is nice V’s voice is very nice too.you didn’t analyse the music the lyrics the massage. I heart a lot of professionals you are the worst.listen to the song without the mv
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this writer doesn’t really cover lyrics in songs but more importantly this is not a place to start drama for the sake of staring drama. if you cant think of anything nice to say in this conversation then dont comment at all.
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This author that writes these reviews is a BTS hater. Every review they write about BTS has been negative. Army needs to move on from this reviewer.They are bias to their own groups they like and that’s it. Nothing from this author is worth a sh!t.
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Are you stupid or what?
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funny considering how the average rating score for BTS is 8.48
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Honestly, your reviews don’t mean a thing. It doesn’t change nor affect how good V is or how talented the BTS boys are. Your reviews have never really said anything good about the boys and yet, they keep on succeeding in all their endeavours. Same thing during V and JK’s album release, it was all negatives here but here we are, they did awesomely great. So yeah, keep your reviews to yourselves, it doesn’t count. Their efforts, happiness and dedication is all that matters.
I wonder how many of you so-called reviewers even know anything about music and making one.
Anyways, peace.
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lotta words for someone who doesn’t care
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nobody reading all that
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I mean the site’s called “thebiaslist” for a reason, it’s obvious that the author’s reviews are partially based on the type of music they like. So them giving a low score doesn’t mean they’re a hater, it’s just that the song wasn’t for them. Also their reviews for BTS songs aren’t always negative. I mean even for my fave groups they don’t always give a positive review but I still think it’s fair since they seem to know more about music than an ordinary listener like me so… I think some fans need to stop with the victim mentality as if the whole world is against your fave artists when it’s really not 😅
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Such kind of song make me feel sad
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