BTS's V has set the hearts of fans worldwide aflutter with his impeccable live performance.
On September 18, V appeared on the Japanese YouTube channel 'THE FIRST TAKE', where he presented a live rendition of the piano version of the title track 'Slow Dancing' from his solo album 'LayOver'.
'THE FIRST TAKE' is renowned for hosting not only Japan's top vocalists but also international artists like Harry Styles. As the channel's name suggests, it employs a one-take filming method without any cuts. With a single microphone, a white studio, and the one-take rule, the focus is solely on the artist's vocals, allowing viewers to enjoy a raw live performance.
In the video, V, wearing a headset, stood before the microphone and said in Japanese, "Please take care of me. Shall we begin?" before singing 'Slow Dancing'. Tapping lightly to the rhythm, V immersed himself in the song with his smooth baritone voice.
His live performance, indistinguishable from the original track, left a profound impression. The inclusion of V's breathing and whistling sounds made the live rendition even more vibrant and lifelike, drawing admiration from fans.
Since the release of his solo album, V has been meeting fans on various live stages. Rather than showcasing the intense performances he's known for as an "idol textbook", he's been revealing a new side of himself, focusing solely on his voice as a vocalist. On September 12th, he appeared on IU's YouTube channel 'IU's Palette', singing 'Slow Dancing' and 'Ending Scene'. His emotional vocals in 'Ending Scene', performed alongside IU, were particularly notable. IU highly praised him and strongly recommended forming a duo, noting their harmonious vocal blend. V responded positively, heightening fans' expectations.
On September 15, V appeared on Studio X+U's 'Tiny Desk Korea', where he performed three songs from his solo album 'LayOver': 'Slow Dancing', 'Love Me Again', and 'For Us'. Notably, this was the first public performance of 'For Us'.
News of V's appearance on 'THE FIRST TAKE' sparked an explosive reaction in Japan. 'THE FIRST TAKE' topped Yahoo Japan's real-time search, and the video featuring V also secured the top spot in Japan's popular videos. Promoting in Japan, V twice topped Yahoo Japan's real-time search in a single day, with over eight V-related search terms entering the top 20, proving his immense popularity.
