BTS V’s “FRI(END)S” Surpasses 520 Million Streams on Spotify — A Showcase of His Elegant Vocals



BTS’s V continues to shine with his solo track “FRI(END)S,” which has surpassed 520 million streams on Spotify, highlighting his enduring global popularity.



Released on March 15, 2024, during V’s military service, the digital single reached 520 million streams on the world’s largest music streaming platform, Spotify, as of July 18. The song is a pop-soul R&B track with a sweet melody and witty lyrics, and V’s elegant vocal delivery—seamlessly transitioning between low tones and falsetto—stands out as a defining feature of the song.



“FRI(END)S” made an impressive debut on several major global charts:



#65 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100,



#3 on Billboard Global Excl. U.S.,



#5 on Billboard Global 200,



and #13 on the UK Official Singles Chart.



It also debuted at #3 on the UK Official Big Top 40 chart after just two days of tracking.




The song topped Worldwide iTunes and Europe iTunes, and became the first song released in 2024 to reach #1 on iTunes in 100 countries. It was also selected as one of the “Best K-pop Songs of 2024” by Amazon Music and Apple Music, further solidifying V’s impact as a solo artist in the global music industry.



Adding to its mainstream appeal, “FRI(END)S” has been chosen as part of the official soundtrack for Season 3 of the popular U.S. drama series The Summer I Turned Pretty, airing from July 16.



The official Spotify playlist for the show also includes global pop hits like:



The Cranberries’ “Dreams,”



Justin Timberlake’s “Summer Love,”



Taylor Swift’s “You’re Losing Me,”



Ariana Grande’s “i wish I hated you,”

as well as tracks from Benson Boone, Billie Eilish, and Olivia Rodrigo — placing V’s song among the most loved pop icons worldwide.





In addition to audio success, the music video for “FRI(END)S” also made a significant impact. V’s outstanding acting captured the contrast between solitude and togetherness, showcasing his ability to portray multifaceted characters on screen.



Shot in the UK, the video reached #1 on YouTube’s Global Music Trending chart for 14 consecutive days. V also became the first K-pop artist to top the U.S. TIDAL Top Videos chart, while dominating local TIDAL charts in multiple countries—proof of the song’s immense popularity and reach.


Written by Mun Wan Sik
Translated by Lee So Yun