When SEVENTEEN members VERNON and THE 8 began conceptualizing their collaborative project last year, they weren’t looking to redefine the boundaries of K-pop. Instead, their primary objective was to explore the limits of their own creative freedom. By stepping away from the traditional industry model of top-down creative briefs, the duo personally curated a community of artists and producers they genuinely admired, allowing their shared musical language to dictate the direction of their new EP, V8.
Building a Global Sound
Released on June 29, V8 serves as a restless, genre-defying blend of EDM, bloghouse, hyperpop, and alternative pop. The project was born from a 10-month recording process that spanned Seoul, Los Angeles, and Berlin, bringing together a powerhouse roster of collaborators including 100 gecs‘ Dylan Brady, KIRARA, Alice Longyu Gao, Pharrell Williams, and Mechatok. According to Gao, the group began by establishing a “sonic moodboard,” trading obscure DJ edits and internet deep cuts to foster a collaborative environment free from label mandates.
For Mechatok, the experience was defined by its organic nature. “It just felt like making music with friends,” he notes. VERNON took on a multifaceted role, acting as a singer, producer, and A&R representative, ensuring the studio remained a space for efficient and comfortable experimentation.
The Engine of V8
The title V8 serves as a metaphor for the duo’s drive and the fuel behind their decade-long journey with SEVENTEEN. “The engine became our central metaphor,” VERNON explains. “But instead of making an album about the engine itself, we wanted to make an album about what fuels it.”
This sentiment is perhaps most evident in the track “Friend,” which features a childhood recording of THE 8 declaring his dream to become a star. By integrating personal history with forward-thinking production, the duo has crafted a project that feels both intimate and expansive. As THE 8 notes, the goal was never to be rebellious, but simply to be true to their own artistic colors. With V8, they have successfully created a body of work that prioritizes human connection over industry expectations.
