We are right in the thick of festive season—and with Vogue Singapore’s Jan/Feb issue with BTS shining on the cover, there are only more things to celebrate. If you are picking out last minute Christmas gifts for loved ones, or simply want to do something nice for the biggest BTS fan you know, here’s our special edit of BTS-inspired gifts that anyone will love—whether they are a long-time fan of the boys, or are just starting to fall in love with them.
RM
It’s a known fact that Kim Namjoon aka RM is an art aficionado. In our cover story, he admits that it is his way of ensuring that the things that matter most to him remain close to him. “I believe hanging a piece of art in your home can be a spiritual experience. It’s living with and examining a piece of the artist’s life. It allows the work to breathe. It lets you have a conversation with it”
Being in the US also brought the star closer to his Korean roots, which explains his penchant for Korean art. As he told Vogue: “I like keeping things that are close to my heart near me, and that’s why I’ve started buying works by Korean painters.”
If you want to channel your favourite band’s leader, consider a painting or a photo-print that honours the dansaekhwa style—Korean monochrome painting.
Suga
Suga’s musical prowess needs no introduction—after all, he has just become the first Korean soloist to ever debut at number one on Billboard’s Digital Song Sales Chart. But here’s a talent of his that fans may be less familiar with. If you’ve heard of the hashtag #슈가의_시선, you’ll know that it translates roughly to “Suga’s eyes”. This is the tag which the 28 year old publishes his own photography under, capturing a beautiful variety of scenery, animals and the people around him. Back in university, Yoongi used to be a photography major before he switched courses—still, his shots clearly display his flair with a camera.
For the person in your life who loves to capture memories and would like to follow in Suga’s footsteps, the perfect gift comes in the form of a classic polaroid camera. Chic in design, it’s a great partner to bring along wherever you go—always ready to immortalise a special moment.
V
After V’s 2016 acting debut in Hwarang; The Poet Warrior Youth, fans and production companies alike have been begging for the king of visuals to return to the silver screen. While V may not have any serious plans as of yet to appear in another drama or film, he sure loves watching them. Classics, in particular, have a special place in his heart, and he has confessed in the past to loving oldies like The Godfather.
For film-buffs who love V as much as they do a good flick, a membership to indie theatre The Projector will offer discounts and exciting perks every time they book a ticket. Alternatively, the Lumos home projector may be a better fit for homebodies who still want to watch quality cinema—just from the comfort of their homes.
J-Hope
J-Hope’s fanboy tendencies don’t come out often—but they certainly do for internationally renowned artist Kaws. The rapper has displayed his impressive collection of Kaws figurines on Instagram in the past, and clearly has a penchant for the artist’s moody characters.
For your friend who is devoted to J-Hope, there are a plethora of Kaws fashion collaborations to choose from that will allow them to rep their beloved celebrity’s favourite artist without breaking the bank. Our favourite is Nike’s three-way collaboration with Sacai and Kaws: a series of brightly coloured sneakers that will set its wearers apart.
Jimin
Jimin may be cheeky, but he has many unexpected interests. For one, he loves studying and learning, hence the President’s Award he received from Global Cyber University in 2020. In Vogue‘s cover story, he opened up about a hobby that is more recent: running. “The reason I got into running was that the sound of the breeze silenced my inner voice. I used to hate being alone because there were too many thoughts going around in my head, and it scared me, but now I feel I need time alone. Running helps clear my mind,” he says.
For anyone who wants to pick up this healthy habit for the new year, set yourself up for success with great music and the latest AirPods. With longer battery life and spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, you’ll feel immersed in sound—and the miles will fly by.
Jin
The senior most member is also the most happy-go-lucky person, hence the nickname mannae. That said, Kim Seok-jin (Jin’s birth name) is also well known for his nurturing character: he keeps his bandmates in good spirits and even cooks for them. Jin’s love for food was captured for posterity (by him, no less) in Eat Jin, but he reportedly had to curb his cravings due to some food allergies. Nevertheless, no garlic allergy is going to keep foodie Jin from kimchi.
Why not take the healthy route then with artisanal handmade kimchi? Wanting Kimchi is Zen Wanting, a former retail/event management professional’s eponymous brand. Her kimchi is handmade—sans, MSG and minimal added salt and sugar—and uses the freshest of produce. Consider a selection of their kimchis or buying The Full Wanting Kimchi Army Stew Experience, which you can instantly whip to bubbling life at home. Tag a video to @btsbang1an and it may just lure Jin back to his favourite hobby.
Jung Kook
If one were to do a story on the number of times the youngest member of BTS’ art has made waves on social media either on personal assets, band memorabilia or videos, one would need more than two hands. The multitalented artist is an avid photographer and painter aside from being a class lyricist. As he himself admits in our cover story, change and challenges are two things he eagerly seeks out.
For that friend who is into all things Jung Kook and learning new things, how about a chic paint set that takes you through the basics—think step-by-step guidance by an experienced artist. You can pick an art set based on the medium of choice, from marker pens and watercolour to calligraphy and gouache techniques.