SEVENTEEN's newest special unit V8 is making its official debut with a project that puts artistic identity ahead of convention. Pairing THE 8 and VERNON, the duo's first mini album, V8, embraces electronic music, multilingual songwriting and deeply personal storytelling to present a fresh chapter within the group's expanding creative universe.
Ahead of the album's release on June 29, PLEDIS Entertainment shared an official Q&A in which both members reflected on the record's concept, their creative process and the meaning behind the project.
V8 is SEVENTEEN's sixth official special unit, following BSS, JEONGHAN X WONWOO, HOSHI X WOOZI, S.COUPS X MINGYU and DK X SEUNGKWAN. The collaboration unites performance team member THE 8 and hip-hop team member VERNON, combining THE 8's artistic sensibility with VERNON's established production expertise.
Rather than following familiar K-pop formulas, the duo built V8 around the idea of "Consumed Youth"—a reflection on uncertainty, exhaustion, recovery and growth. The eight-track release is anchored by the lead single "singasong" and features contributions from an international roster of producers, including Pharrell Williams, Mechatok, KIRARA and Dylan Brady, resulting in a genre-blurring electronic sound that reflects the pair's individual musical tastes.
From multilingual lyrics to hands-on involvement in the music video's creative direction, nearly every aspect of the project carries the duo's personal imprint. The album represents not simply a new unit, but an opportunity to broaden SEVENTEEN's musical spectrum through experimentation and self-expression.
V8 officially begins promotions with the release of its debut mini album after giving fans an early preview during a DJ-style pre-listening event.
Below are excerpts from the official interview.
Q. What does your first mini album mean to you, and why did you choose the theme "Consumed Youth"?
THE 8: This is an album filled with VERNON's and my own tastes and artistic colors. We were involved throughout the entire production process and experimented with electronic music and multiple languages. It represents who we are more honestly than anything we've done before.
VERNON: I wanted to tell a story that felt genuine. Looking back on our journey naturally brought me to the idea of youth. Since the name V8 reminded us of an engine powered by youth, the concept of "Consumed Youth" grew from that image. I'm excited to finally share it and hear what people think.
Q. What mattered most while collaborating with artists and producers from around the world?
THE 8: The priority was creating something that truly belonged to the two of us. We each have very different tastes, so finding common ground took time, but that process taught me a great deal. The songwriting sessions helped me better understand the music I want to make and how I want to express myself.
VERNON: My goal was simple—I wanted to make songs I could be proud of. Touring while writing wasn't easy, especially when deciding what to leave in and what to take out, but staying involved through the mixing stage made the finished album incredibly rewarding.
Q. The album features electronic music, multilingual lyrics and a music video shaped by your own ideas. What inspired those choices?
THE 8: I've always been drawn to electronic music because it feels natural to me. I hope listeners enjoy that sound as much as I do. Singing in my native language wasn't intended as a statement—it simply felt like the most authentic way to express myself. I also brought ideas from my previous visual projects into the music video.
VERNON: Lyrics should feel comfortable to sing and natural to hear. That guided my writing. The energy people feel in the music video comes from the fact that this album reflects our lives and the way we think.
Q. If you had to describe this album in one word, what would it be?
THE 8: "Growth." That word connects everything in this album, and it also describes what we gained while making it. I hope listeners enjoy every track and experience the world that VERNON and I created together.
VERNON: I'd choose "Challenge." We intentionally stepped outside familiar territory and learned a great deal along the way. Thank you for supporting us. We poured ourselves into this album, and I hope everyone enjoys it.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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