BTS V’s ‘FRI(END)S’ Surpasses 520 Million Streams on Spotify with "Elegant Vocals"
BTS member V continues to showcase his global impact as a solo artist with his digital single FRI(END)S, which has surpassed 520 million streams on Spotify as of July 18.
Released on March 15, 2024, during V’s military service, FRI(END)S quickly captured listeners’ hearts with its smooth pop-soul R&B style, witty lyrics, and V’s refined, elegant vocal delivery that seamlessly blends low tones and falsetto.
Upon its release, the song made an impressive debut across multiple global charts:
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No. 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 (US main singles chart)
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No. 3 on Billboard Global (Excl. US)
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No. 5 on Billboard Global 200
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No. 13 on the UK Official Singles Chart, and
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No. 3 on the UK’s Official Big Top 40 after just two days of tracking.
The song also topped Worldwide iTunes and European iTunes, becoming the first 2024 release to reach No.1 in 100 countries on the iTunes charts. It was later selected by both Amazon Music and Apple Music as one of the Best K-pop Songs of 2024, underscoring V’s remarkable presence as a solo artist in the global music scene.
FRI(END)S has recently gained even more attention after being chosen as a soundtrack for the popular American TV series "The Summer I Turned Pretty" Season 3, which began airing on July 16. The track is featured on the show’s official Spotify playlist, alongside global hits such as:
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The Cranberries’ Dreams
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Justin Timberlake’s Summer Love
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Taylor Swift’s You’re Losing Me
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Ariana Grande’s i wish i hated you
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as well as songs by Benson Boone, Billie Eilish, and Olivia Rodrigo.
The music video for FRI(END)S also drew widespread acclaim, showcasing V’s acting prowess as he portrayed contrasting emotions when alone and when in love. Shot in the UK, the video topped YouTube’s World Trending Music chart for 14 consecutive days.
Notably, V became the first K-pop artist to rank No.1 on the TIDAL Top Videos chart in the US, and also achieved No.1 on the Top Videos chart in various countries, reaffirming the global love and enthusiasm for both his music and visuals.
Written by Mun Wan Sik
Translated by Lee So Yun
