'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
BTS' Kim Taehyung aka V's recent collaboration with legendary Korean singer Park Hyo-shin, Winter Ahead, officially debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Released on November 29, 2024, the song entered the chart at No. 87, marking V's second solo entry on the prestigious ranking, following his earlier success with Slow Dancing. It is Taehyung's fifth entry on the Billboard Hot 100 as a solo artist.
Winter Ahead is a jazz-pop masterpiece, blending Taehyung’s soulful voice with Park Hyo-shin’s rich, emotive tones. The song featured a cozy, winter-inspired instrumental arrangement, including saxophones, trumpets, and a prepared piano.
The theme centered on the comfort of shared moments with loved ones, with lyrics reflecting the importance of finding companionship amidst one's loneliness.
Trending
Fans rejoiced to see BTS' Taehyung achieve yet another "historic" feat despite being busy serving in the military and not being able to promote Winter Ahead.
"Historic moment for K-pop and jazz! Taehyung's "Winter Ahead" with Park Hyo Shin breaks barriers, becoming the 1st K-pop jazz song to enter Billboard's Hot 100!" exclaimed a fan on X.
The BTS ARMY flooded social media boasting with pride over Taehyung's latest accomplishment.
"HE DID IT! They did it with a JAZZ SONG," one fan wrote.
"Job well done to everyone who still stands next to him. Every little helps." another fan said.
"I can't believe we did this with no US promotion, no CDs, no HYPE support, and we did this with zero playlist. No playlists reach no promo BigHit," one other fan stated.
Others underscored how Winter Ahead allegedly didn't get any promotional support from BIGHIT MUSIC (now HYBE Labels).
"I'm very proud of him..despite the fact that he was sabotaged by geffen, he got into the charts with a jazz song and without support." one fan wrote.
"A JAZZ SONG WITH ONLY ONE WEEK NOTICE AND NO COMPANY SUPPORT," another fan emphasized.
"IMAGINE DEBUTING ON HOT 100 WITH 6 PLAYLISTS AND 9M PLAYLIST REACH WHICH 8M OF IT IS FROM YOU OWN GROUP AND YOUR OWN PLAYLIST," one other fan praised.
BTS' V and Park Hyo-shin's Winter Ahead is a Jazzy winter ballad
This collaboration showcases both artists’ vocal mastery, with a perfect harmony that resonates deeply with listeners. The music video, directed by Korean filmmaker, Lee Hangyeol (HANBAGO), casts V as a sculptor creating art amid a dreamy winter landscape, emphasizing themes of introspection and connection.
Beyond its Billboard debut, Winter Ahead has garnered widespread acclaim. It topped South Korea's Gaon Digital Chart and debuted at No. 1 on iTunes charts in over 60 countries. In the United Kingdom, the song entered the Official Singles Chart at No. 86, making it V’s third solo entry on the chart, following Slow Dancing and FRI(END)S.
On digital platforms, the single’s success is equally remarkable. It climbed to No. 1 on the Official Singles Downloads Chart and secured No. 2 on the Official Singles Sales Chart, reflecting its popularity among listeners worldwide.
Furthermore, Park Hyo-shin, renowned for his ballads and a seven-time Golden Disc Award winner, brought a depth of artistry that complements Taehyung's versatile vocal style. HYBE Labels also released a second official Cinematic Version Film on Winter Ahead starring BTS' Taehyung and Park Hyo-shin, sharing a meal at a restaurant.
In a statement released by BigHit Music, the two artists expressed their excitement about the song. They described Winter Ahead as a tribute to the joys of simple, meaningful connections, encouraging listeners to embrace the warmth of companionship as the year draws to a close.
Following the release of his debut solo album Layover in September 2023, which included hits like Slow Dancing and Rainy Days, Taehyung has steadily climbed the global charts. His solo English single, FRI(END)S, released in March 2024 climbed on iTunes charts in over 100 countries.
Additionally, his latest duet, White Christmas, with Bing Crosby topped both the Worldwide iTunes Song Chart and the European iTunes Song Chart on December 7, 2024. The song was released on December 6 as a posthumous project of the late Bing Crosby.
