BTS fans are thrilled to discover that V’s stunning performance of his solo song Singularity, where he wore a white mask, has been cited in a book by a Harvard professor. The book, Culture: The Story of Us, From Cave Art to K-pop, explores the evolution of human civilization through arts and humanities. The author, Martin Puchner, praises V’s performance as a remarkable example of how traditional East Asian theatrical and performance traditions are revived and transformed into visual art.

The book, which was originally published in English in 2020, was recently translated and released in Korean on February 7, 2023. In the epilogue of the book, Puchner mentions V’s performance of Singularity, which was part of BTS’ Love Yourself: Tear album in 2018. The performance, which featured V wearing a white mask and dancing with a mannequin, captivated millions of viewers with its artistic and symbolic expression.

This scene from Singularity blows my mind because Tae has a mask on while wearing an earring that says "LOVED" implying that he can only be loved when he puts on a fake persona. And it makes him sad since his true self is rejected, which is why the tear comes through the mask. pic.twitter.com/Ak3yqLOBOv

— 🚀134340 miles from sanity⁷💫🌟📀 (@naija0329) August 18, 2021

I know, but tae is still part of this genre, he who makes it visionary and this is the proof.💜

— V (@onlyfthv) February 17, 2024

Puchner writes that V’s performance is a significant moment where “the mask, a key element of traditional East Asian theater, is reborn as a visual art in the era of global pop culture.” He adds that V’s performance shows how “the mask, which has been used for centuries to conceal the identity and emotions of the performer, becomes a tool to reveal the inner self of the artist.” He also compares V’s performance to PSY’s Gangnam Style, which he says is another example of how cultural history circulates and blends in the modern world.

The reference to V’s performance in the book has created a buzz among BTS fans, who are proud of the recognition and appreciation that V has received from a renowned scholar. Fans have taken to social media to share their excitement and congratulate V on his latest achievement. They have also expressed their admiration for V’s artistic vision and talent, which has transcended boundaries and resonated with people from different backgrounds and cultures. Fans have also thanked Puchner for acknowledging V’s contribution to the global pop culture and the evolution of human civilization.

V, who is currently serving his mandatory military service since April 18, 2023, has not been active on social media for a while. However, he surprised his fans on February 14, 2024, by posting an update on Weverse, a fan community platform. He revealed that he has gained weight during his service, reaching 72.5kg, which is a significant increase from his previous weight of 62kg. He also assured his fans that he is doing well and thanked them for their support. Fans were happy to hear from V and expressed their love and admiration for him. They also complimented him on his weight gain and wished him good health and happiness.

[20240214] Taehyung 🌟 posted on Weverse! He’s achieved 72.5 kg weight so far 🫡

Way to go, Captain Kim Taehyung sir!#V #뷔 @BTS_twt pic.twitter.com/bpXtfkeSj0

— V•JIMIN Updates! (@95Z_TWTS) February 14, 2024