"It's a beautiful tribute" — Fans react to illustrator Louise Pretzel paying homage to BTS' Taehyung's pup Yeontan via 'White Christmas' MV

On December 6, 2024, BTS member Kim Taehyung aka V, released a heartwarming duet of the holiday classic White Christmas with the legendary Bing Crosby. This groundbreaking collaboration was made possible through advanced technology and the efforts of Crosby's estate, creating an era-bridging rendition of the beloved track.

The release was a tribute to the timeless appeal of White Christmas, a song first performed by Crosby in 1941. The duet marked a significant milestone, happening 47 years after Bing Crosby’s passing in 1977.

Meanwhile, on December 7, 2024, Louise Pretzel, who is the illustrator for White Christmas, paid tribute to Taehyung's pet pup, Yeontan, who passed away.

Louise Pretzel created an illustration of Yeontan's face with stars and constellations to symbolize the pup's journey beyond the stars. In his heartfelt caption, he revealed how the staff came up with the idea of including Yeontan in the last scene of White Christmas and wrote:

"In the middle of working on this project, we got the tragic news of the passing of Yeontan, the beloved dog of V. As the project moved forward, the team came up with the idea for the final scene to show Yeontan in the stars to honor his legacy. Despite the sad news, I'm so proud of how the team worked together, and of the final production!"

For the unversed, just days before the song's debut, Taehyung’s beloved pet Pomeranian, Yeontan, passed away. Known affectionately as Tannie, the dog had become a fan favorite, often appearing in Taehyung's social media posts and live streams.

The timing of the duet release serves as a poignant reminder of cherishing moments with loved ones, a sentiment echoed in White Christmas.

The BTS fandom expressed their gratitude to illustrator Louise Pretzel paying a homage to the puppy. One fan wrote on X:

"And now I'm crying again. It's a beautiful tribute"

Fans speculated based on the illustrator's caption that Yeontan must have passed away a while back even though BTS' Taehyung announced the news on December 2, 2024, via Instagram.

"I love just how many stars it took them to make his eyebrow," one fan wrote.

"Oh, I was wondering when the video was made. So it's a while since he flew to the stars. I'm happy he received this tribute. He'll live forever," another fan speculated.

"This season has just been a sob fest!" one other fan wrote.

Others highlighted that Yeontan would always be cherished and remembered by everyone.

"This is so lovely :(( tannie you’re so loved," one fan wrote.

"Yeontan will be always remembered and loved by everyone," another fan said.

"I hope taehyung finds comfort in knowing his beloved yeontan was cherished and loved by a lot of people.. that little furball of sunshine deserves to be immortalized for the happiness he brought to our lives.." one other fan added.

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BTS' Taehyung spreads holiday cheer with a posthumous Bing Crosby duet on White Christmas

The project followed in the footsteps of Crosby’s earlier cross-generational duet with David Bowie in 1977, further solidifying his impact on music. This version of White Christmas maintained its nostalgic charm while adding a modern touch through Taehyung's distinct vocal style. Fans have praised the song’s ability to connect the past and present, reflecting the universal themes of love and hope.

Originally penned by Irving Berlin, White Christmas became the world’s best-selling single and a holiday staple. With its wistful lyrics and Bing Crosby’s soothing delivery, the song provided comfort during challenging times, from its initial release during World War II to its enduring presence today.

Accompanying the latest rendition of the track is a range of holiday-themed merchandise, including exclusive vinyl and CD designs, making the release a celebration of the season. Fans began pre-ordering these limited-edition items, eager to own a piece of this historic collaboration.

Mary Crosby, daughter of the late legendary American musician, told Billboard that BTS' V was the "right person" to do this duet with her father.

"The fact that V was such a huge fan was so heartening to us. Until he came along, there wasn’t the right person. Because of V, Dad is going to be reaching an entirely different audience."

Following the success of his 2023 solo album Layover, this collaboration reinforces his status as a global star capable of transcending genres and generations.

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White Christmas by BTS' Kim Taehyung and Bing Crosby is now available on all major streaming platforms.