With the winter season well underway, low temperatures are expected to continue affecting many people -- including BTS’ Army -- all around the world.

Korea has had to withstand below-zero temperatures for weeks, while much of the Midwest in the US experienced one of the coldest winters to date caused by a polar vortex. Europe has seen similar weather conditions, with heavy snowfall battering continental Europe.

Sure, snuggling up with a blanket or a cup of hot cocoa could keep you warm for a while, but they might not be enough when you could use a heavy dose of sentimental warmth to get you up and going.

And that’s why we have put together a winter-themed BTS playlist of slow and mid-tempo tunes to get you in the winter spirit.

(Big Hit Entertainment)

1. “4 O’Clock” by V & RM

The duet between the two bandmates was released for free in June in celebration of the group’s fourth anniversary, becoming one of the group’s most streamed tracks not to be officially released. V’s husky and raw voice and RM’s smooth rap flow seamlessly meld together, giving birth to a solid laid-back tune.

Strong acoustic guitar riffs continue to elevate the general mood of the track throughout, conjuring up an image of frosty early morning in the minds of the listeners.

2. “Epiphany” by Jin



The solo track by Jin from the group’s latest album, “Love Yourself: Answer,” is a powerful rock ballad.

Having received the music video treatment, the 4 1/2-minute video on YouTube has racked up over 40 million views so far. Laden with catchy piano and bass riffs, the string-heavy tune is an emotional roller coaster that gradually reaches a climax and makes for great winter listening.

3. “Butterfly”

Co-written by none other than Bang Si-hyuk, also known as “Hitman” Bang, “Butterfly” is packed with beautiful harmonies and carefully written lyrics. The song begins quietly with acoustic guitar riffs before it gradually develops into BTS’ classic poppy and beat-heavy chorus that makes for easy listening.

The simple lyrics at the end of the chorus go “Butterfly, like a butterfly, just like a butterfly,” which is complemented by the swirling psychedelic sounds before RM’s skillful rap delivers home the song’s powerful message of romance.

4. “The Truth Untold”

The mid-tempo song featuring Steve Aoki is off of the group’s third studio album, “Love Yourself: Tear.” The beautifully written tune pulls on the heartstrings with its moving lyrics. Heavy piano riffs are dominant throughout the song, which, coupled with strong drum beats, brings back memories and instantly raises the body temperature. It is worth noting RM was involved in the production of the song.

5. “Magic Shop”

“Magic Shop” is sprinkled with catchy beats and slick electronic drops, replicating the cutting-edge pop sounds that have been dominating the charts.

The group of people working on the 2018 track from “Love Yourself: Tear” included Jungkook, RM, Suga and J-Hope. The group sang the mid-tempo banger during its concert in Seoul in August as part of the set list for its world tour. The chorus lyric “You gave me the best of me so you’ll give you the best of you” is a classic example of the BTS message of self-love.

6. “Love Maze”

With the help of Grammy-winning producer DJ Swivel, the rhythmic tune with playful lyrics is an instant mood lifter. RM and J-Hope’s quick-witted rap yet again adds a layer of depth.

The rapper at one point sings, “I know it’s going to be cold like the winter but I want to tackle it,” a little winter reference as he gets his fighting spirit while discussing a relationship not approved by everyone.

7. “Two! Three!”

“Two! Three!” ? “Dul! Set!” In Korean ? is a bit of a throwback. Released in 2016 as part of the group’s second album, “Wings,” the song has a straightforward message of positivity.

One lyric goes, “It’s alright, now count one to three and forget, erase all sad memories, hold my hand and smile.” Though of a different stripe in terms of sound, the message that encourages people to continue on after experiencing hardships still stands, particularly in cold winter weather when people can feel less motivated.

8. “Serendipity” by Jimin



“Serendipity” embodies psychedelic pop brilliance in the form of a mid-tempo rhythm and blues tune.

This solo track from Jimin was first created as an intro on “Love Yourself: Her” before it was released again as a full song on “Love Yourself: Answer.” Songwriters Ray Michael Djan Jr. and Ashton Foster told Billboard magazine that they were given a “very deep, meaningful paragraph” and a concept to work on so the two focused on creating a strong melody.

9. “Singularity” by V



If you were looking for a song to listen to before bed, “Singularity” is the perfect choice.

Laden with rich percussion sounds and jazz piano riffs, the sensual song can create an air of melancholy, complete with V’s soothing voice. His opera mask-inspired performance in the music video and live shows fits well with the song’s general tone as well.

10. “Sea”

And last but not least, “Sea” also makes the list. The hopeful song might be less well-known than the other tracks as it was released as a hidden track on “Love Yourself: Her,” coming only after the last track ends on the physical copy. The lyrics capture the essence of nature landscapes ranging from deserts to seas.

The song also conjures up images of a winter sea breeze in your mind, which makes for a great theme song for a weekend getaway in Korea, where going to the seaside is a popular winter escape.

By Yim Hyun-su (hyunsu@heraldcorp.com)