Unboxing: V — Layover Complete Album Set (All Versions)

(Warning: This post is extremely long and photo-heavy.)

My set of V's Layover has arrived! 

Layover is V's debut studio album as a solo artist. It was released globally on September 8, 2023, at all music retailers both online and in-store. Layover features predominantly R&B- and jazz-based alternative pop songs. The EP consists of 6 tracks with a total length of 17:36. The title track is "Slow Dancing," though music videos have been released for all five vocal tracks on the album. As of the date of this post, Layover is the bestselling solo album in South Korean history with sales of over 2 million copies within its first week.

Layover has a total of 4 versions across 2 formats: 3 CD boxsets, and 1 digital boxset for Weverse Albums. This post features the complete set for Layover, which includes all 4 versions of the album and is exclusive to Weverse Shop. There is also a set for the 3 CD versions without the Weverse Albums version, also exclusive to Weverse Shop. All versions are also available individually; the CD versions can be found at all major online and in-store retailers (note that online retailers, including Weverse Shop, sells the individual CD versions as randomized so you cannot pick the version), whereas the Weverse Albums version is only available on Weverse Shop. The complete set retails for $64.75 USD or ₩69,700 on Weverse Shop Global. Note that no money is saved by buying the set as opposed to each version separately.

V — Layover — Outer Box (Front)
V — Layover — Outer Box
V — Layover — Outer Box (Front Detail)
V — Layover — Outer Box (Back)
V — Layover — Outer Box (Blue CD Version)
V — Layover — Outer Box (Purple CD Version)
V — Layover — Outer Box (Green CD Version)
V — Layover — Outer Box (Side Detail/Contents)

All 3 CD versions of Layover are packaged in cardboard boxes mimicking parcels and include the following content:

• Letter (1 version, 2 pages)
• CD + Sleeve (1 version)
• Envelope (3 versions)
• Postcards (3 versions, 2 each)
• Photocards (3 versions, 5 each)
• Checklist Pad (1 version, 100 pages)
• Lyric Pamphlet (1 version, 12 pages in accordion format)
• Magazine Photobook (3 versions, 124 pages)
• Brochure Photobook (1 version, 20 pages)
• Foldout Poster (3 versions)

V — Layover — Letter (English Translation)

V — Layover — Cardboard Protector Sleeve
V — Layover — CD + Sleeve

The tracklist of Layover is as follows:

1. Rainy Days
2. Blue
3. Love Me Again
4. Slow Dancing
5. For Us
6. Slow Dancing (Piano ver.)

V — Layover (Blue ver.) — Postcards x 2 + Photocards x 5
V — Layover (Purple ver.) — Postcards x 2 + Photocards x 5
V — Layover (Green ver.) — Postcards x 2 + Photocards x 5
V — Layover (Green ver.) — Postcards (Back)
V — Layover (Blue ver.) — Photocards (Back)

Each CD version of Layover comes with a different set of postcards and photocards. All the postcards also have different details on the back with different colours, typefaces, and handwritten messages. The backs of the photocards are meant to look like movie tickets; each CD version uses a slightly different design and typeface, but all include the same information.

V — Layover (Blue ver.) — Magazine Photobook (Cover)
V — Layover (Blue ver.) — Magazine Photobook
V — Layover (Purple ver.) — Magazine Photobook (Cover)
V — Layover (Purple ver.) — Magazine Photobook
V — Layover (Green ver.) — Magazine Photobook (Cover)
V — Layover (Purple ver.) — Magazine Photobook

The main photobook included in the CD version is meant to look like a magazine, with each version featuring a completely different cover and containing completely different photoshoots. 

V — Layover — Weekly Checklist Notepad + Foldout Lyric Pamphlet
V — Layover — Brochure Photobook
V — Layover (Blue ver.) — Foldout Poster
V — Layover (Purple ver.) — Foldout Poster
V — Layover (Green ver.) — Foldout Poster

Finally, we have the Weverse Albums version of Layover which is the digital version of the album for use on the Weverse Albums app (available for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store). The packaging here is slightly bigger than a cassette. It is boxed in cardboard as well, and features a pixellated graphic of V's pet Pomeranian, Yeontan. The Weverse Albums version includes the following content:

• Lyrics Booklet (1 version, 16 pages)
• Photobook (1 version, 64 pages)
• QR Code Card (1 version)
• Photocards (1 version, 5 each)

V — Layover (Weverse Albums ver.) — Outer Box
V — Layover (Weverse Albums ver.) — Lyrics Book, Photobook, and QR Code Card
V — Layover (Weverse Albums ver.) — Photocards x 5
V — Layover Early Bird Pre-Order Special Gifts — Holographic Photo Frame, Unreleased Photocard with L-Holder, Transparent PVC Photocard, and 3 Transparent Card Holders with Chain

Well, I don't think anyone can say that HYBE skimps on value for their physical albums. In terms of packaging, I'd say that Layover's CD version is the most unique, creative, and playful out of all the BTS solo albums. You can tell V and his team put a lot of thought into everything, from the theme to the boxes to the photoshoots to the content itself. I really appreciate the personalized touches and the attention to detail on every item. Most importantly, there's not a skippable track for me on this album. I've said this already, but this is the perfect night-time jams playlist.