Jungkook’s Live Vocals Spark Scathing Backlash Towards BTS

“HYBE please get rid of them.”

Fans are praising Jungkook after a recent clip of his live vocals in “SWIM” went viral, but the rest of BTS have been hit with scathing criticism.

jungkook gq
| GQ Magazine

The video, taken from a Netflix documentary about BTS’s Arirang comeback album, shows Jungkook singing his verse with clear, strong vocals… something fans say was missing in the studio version buried under heavy auto-tune.

It sounds better when Jungkook just sings it straight through his way, rather than the version recorded with heavy post-production

— Fan via X

A post sharing the clip on popular community site TheQoo has quickly gone viral with more than 35,000 views. In the comments, netizens praised Jungkook and his vocal abilities. However, the rest of the BTS members and the “OT7” version of “SWIM” were not spared from being slammed.

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| TheQoo
  • “The studio version was frustrating because it was buried in auto-tune. Watching Jungkook in this video is so satisfying. Why did they overdo it with auto-tune in the first place?”
  • “This version is so much better.”
  • “He sings really well.”
  • “He’s good. His version is way better.”
  • “He’s really good.”
  • “He’s amazing… I keep wanting to listen to it over and over.”
  • “HYBE, please get rid of the old, stuck-in-their-ways guys. I’m begging you.”

The clip has reignited debates about BTS’s vocal production choices, with many calling for less reliance on auto-tune and more emphasis on the members’ natural talent.

You can listen to the original version of BTS’s  “SWIM” below.

BTS

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