Bing Crosby Dreaming of a BTS Christmas

BTS superstar V (far left) will duet with legendary crooner Crosby on the festive favorite. Jung Yeon-je / AFP
BTS superstar V (far left) will duet with legendary crooner Crosby on the festive favorite. Jung Yeon-je / AFP
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Bing Crosby Dreaming of a BTS Christmas

BTS superstar V (far left) will duet with legendary crooner Crosby on the festive favorite. Jung Yeon-je / AFP
BTS superstar V (far left) will duet with legendary crooner Crosby on the festive favorite. Jung Yeon-je / AFP

BTS member V and Bing Crosby sing together in an "era-bending" new version of the late US crooner's classic "White Christmas" set for release Friday -- thanks to the power of technology, South Korean media reported.
The song blends Crosby's voice with K-pop megastar V's vocals and a new instrumental arrangement, making it sound as if the two recorded together, the reports said, citing the K-Pop star's agency HYBE.
Vocals from Crosby were extracted from the 1950s recording of the Ivring Berlin-penned Christmas favorite, the best-selling physical single of all time according to Guinness World Records, AFP said.
V, whose real name is Kim Tae-hyung and who was born 18 years after Crosby died in 1977, recorded in 2022 a cover of the US singer and actor's "It's Been a Long, Long Time", the reports said.
"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 song was due to be released at 2:00 pm (0500 GMT) along with a video.



Taylor Swift Makes Surprise Visit to Kansas City Children’s Hospital

US singer-songwriter Taylor Swift arrives for the 65th Annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 5, 2023. (AFP)
US singer-songwriter Taylor Swift arrives for the 65th Annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 5, 2023. (AFP)
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Taylor Swift Makes Surprise Visit to Kansas City Children’s Hospital

US singer-songwriter Taylor Swift arrives for the 65th Annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 5, 2023. (AFP)
US singer-songwriter Taylor Swift arrives for the 65th Annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 5, 2023. (AFP)

Taylor Swift has made a surprise stop at a Kansas City children’s hospital, shocking parents and patients alike as she laughed with them, posed for photos and exchanged gifts.

All parent Cassie Thomas was told beforehand was that she might want to brush her hair and teeth because there was going to be a special visitor. But she was stunned when Swift, fresh off her Eras Tour and one day before her 35th birthday, walked into her son's room on Thursday at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.

“No rumors. Like, we literally had absolutely no idea this was happening,” Thomas recalled.

Her 13-year-old son, Beckett Thomas, is a cancer patient and a fan of Swift's Kansas City Chiefs tight-end boyfriend, Travis Kelce. Beckett uses a 3D printer to make earrings bearing his and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes' names, walking around the hospital unit selling them to nurses.

Now, Swift has a pair as well.

“She was amazing,” Beckett's mom said. “So down to earth.”

Another patient told Swift that her favorite song was “Love Story" and they later discussed the song “Paper Rings,” in which Swift sings, “I'd marry you with paper rings.” When their conversation veered to discussion of San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy, whose team played the Chiefs in the Super Bowl earlier this year, Swift expressed surprise.

“Brock Purdy, What? I mean, I don’t mind Brock Purdy.” Swift said, then continued: “He put me through a lot last February.”

Asked before the Super Bowl whether he was prepared to disappoint Swift, Purdy responded: “Yes.”

The game ended with Mahomes rallying the Chiefs to their second straight Super Bowl title, 25-22 over the 49ers in overtime.

“I was very stressed for a second, but it all ended up fine,” Swift told the girl, their recorded conversation posted online.

The girl then chimed in: “I like Travis now.” Swift responded with: “Me too. That’s an absolute yes on that one."

There is no word on whether Swift will be in the stands when the Chiefs play the Browns on Sunday in Kelce’s hometown of Cleveland.