V is doubling down on holiday releases this year, with the BTS star announcing a new seasonal duet with Park Hyo Shin titled “Winter Ahead” on Thursday (November 21).
Arriving Nov. 29 ahead of V's highly anticipated “White Christmas” collaboration with Bing Crosby, “Winter Ahead” is described in a release as a jazz-pop collaboration inspired by the 28-year-old K star's “wish for his fans” -pop. let's have a warm and happy winter.” It will add to a long line of Christmas releases from V, who has previously graced the festive season with tracks 'Snow Flower' and 'Christmas Tree'. The star also covered 'It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas' in 2022.
V has long been open about his love of jazz and personally approached Park — with whom he has a “long-standing friendship,” according to the release — to record “Winter Ahead” together. The track was written by Jesse Harris, the songwriter behind Norah Jones' contemporary jazz-pop hit Don't Know Why.
The collaboration comes just one week before another festive duet from V, who teamed up with the Crosby estate to release a brand new version of “White Christmas.” Produced by Gregg Field, the track will combine the 'FRI(END)S' singer's voice with a restored, isolated recording of one of the late legend's archival performances of the famous track.
“I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to appear on a song with my all-time favorite jazz artist, Bing Crosby,” V said in a statement when the project was first announced on Nov. 6. “I grew up listening to his song 'It's Been a Long, Long Time' countless times a day, and I feel incredibly lucky and honored to sing along to 'White Christmas' with the voice of someone I consider an idol.”
V is currently finishing his mandatory service in the South Korean military, as are four of his fellow BTS members: SUGA, RM, Jimin, and Jung Kook. Earlier this year, Jin and J-Hope separately completed their service obligations, and full-band activities are expected to resume in 2025.
Just a few months before he enlisted, V released a six-track EP titled Stop in September 2023. The project reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/bts-v-park-hyo-shin-holiday-song-release-date-winter-ahead-1235835363/
