The Unexpected Music Icon Who Inspired BTS V’s Debut Solo Album “Layover”

BTS‘s V revealed an unexpected inspiration for his debut solo album Layover.

bts v taehyung long hair @thv 1 — BTS’s V | *BIGHIT MUSIC*

The album clearly is influenced by genres such as jazz and R&B, as it’s laced with nostalgia. V previously said BTS’s The Most Beautiful Moment in Life even provided some inspiration.

Yet, he revealed another inspiration. Recently, V guested on IU‘s YouTube show IU’s Palette to promote Layover.

F5vLWf6acAE_1m0 — IU (left) and V (right) | *이지금 [IU Official]/YouTube*

During it, V spilled on an unexpected music icon that has influenced him: English singer-songwriter, musician, and actor David Bowie.

FLOEPzlXsAMeEfw.jpg-large — David Bowie | *Masayoshi Sukita via Time*

Upon complimenting V’s concept photos, IU asked about his inspiration, to which he replied David Bowie. He thought it didn’t go quite as planned, but IU recognized it!

IU: What inspired you for the album?

V: I had a very dressy outfit on… David Bowie.

IU: I knew it! It reminded me of him.

V: That was my plan, but they say I look like an alien. I did a lot of research about the image. It was so inspiring. I wanted the overall vibe and face expression to be in that style.

This would not be the first time Bowie inspired a BTS member. Previously, ARMYs suspected that Jin‘s styling for one of his Love Yourself: Answer outfits was influenced by David Bowie’s style.