Bing Crosby dreaming of BTS Christmas
SEOUL—Thanks to the power of technology, BTS member V and the late American crooner Bing Crosby sing together in an “era-bending” new version of Crosby’s classic hit “White Christmas” which was released on Friday.
The recording blends Crosby’s voice with the K-pop megastar’s vocals and a new instrumental arrangement, making it sound as if the two recorded together.
Vocals from Crosby were extracted from a 1950 recording of the Irving Berlin-penned Christmas favorite—the bestselling physical single of all time, according to the Guinness World Records.
From a classic era
Like fellow crooner Frank Sinatra, Crosby gained immediate popularity after World War II and had a long career singing classic American songs.
The recording of his voice with a K-pop megastar is not his first pairing with a singer of a much later generation.
Shortly before his death in 1977, Crosby made a surprising duet with David Bowie on television—with the rock singer harmonizing with Crosby in a Christmas medley of “Peace on Earth” and “The Little Drummer Boy.”
V, whose real name is Kim Tae-hyung and who was born 18 years after Crosby’s death, recorded a cover of “It’s Been a Long, Long Time” in 2022—another standard by the US singer.
“I was so happy and grateful to sing alongside the voice of my hero,” said V, who is currently performing compulsory military service.
“Crosby is my favorite jazz artist, and I hope you enjoy the song, which I sang with deep admiration for him as a fan,” the 28-year-old said.
The updated “White Christmas” is now on YouTube, Spotify and other music platforms.
