IN CONVERSATION WITH V8

interview by JANA LETONJA

For more than a decade, THE 8 and VERNON have each cultivated unique artistic identities within SEVENTEEN. Now, as V8, the duo channels those individual creative worlds into a project that feels both deeply personal and boldly experimental. Their debut mini album, V8, is a genre-blurring exploration of youth, freedom and self-expression, driven by electronic music, hyperpop and fearless collaboration. With both artists taking the lead in songwriting and production — and working alongside acclaimed names such as PHARRELL WILLIAMS, MECHATOK and DYLAN BRADY — V8 represents more than a new act: it is the beginning of a creative universe where music, visual art, fashion and performance intersect. As they continue to push boundaries through live performances, immersive art experiences and individual artistic pursuits, THE 8 and VERNON are proving that evolution has always been central to their story.

After more than 10 years together in SEVENTEEN, why did now feel like the right moment to create V8?
THE 8
I felt it was time for us to share a bit more of our distinct creative worlds, music and personal tastes. On top of that, VERNON and I have incredible chemistry, which gave us the confidence to bring this project to life. With all the time we’ve spent building our foundation together, now felt like the perfect moment to present ourselves as V8.

VERNON
Thanks to THE 8, we were able to kick off this project as a duo. Our 10-plus years together in SEVENTEEN, and all the moments leading up to now, naturally filled who we are today and led us to this album.

VERNON
full look ANN DEMEULEMEESTER

THE 8
full look RICK OWENS

You both have distinctive artistic identities. Were there moments where your creative instincts completely differed, and if so, how did those differences make the album stronger?
T8
Naturally, there were moments when our ideas differed. However, rather than focusing on whose perspective is right or wrong, what mattered most was our shared goal and mindset of creating a great project together. While we may have different personal tastes, we talked things through and bounced ideas off each other to land on the choices that suit us best.

V
We each made different contributions, which made the project feel personal to both of us. We had those moments where our creative instincts took us in different directions, but they actually gave us room to bring in fresh ideas we wouldn’t have thought of alone. I feel like we were a complementary duo, filling in each other’s missing pieces.

The album V8 reflects on “wasted youth,” not as something lost, but as fuel for moving forward. What inspired that perspective?
T8
I find myself taking a lot of cues from my own experiences and daily life itself. We wanted to naturally weave the emotions tied to past moments into our music, while giving plenty of thought to what we genuinely enjoy and want to share at this point in our lives. Combining all those perspectives together is what ultimately shaped an album with this theme of wasted youth.

hat STYLIST CUSTOM MADE
jacket and pants PAUL HARNDEN SHOEMAKER
shirt MIDORIKAWA
shoes DR.MARTENS

Across the album, you explore hyperpop, EDM, hip-hop and experimental electronic music. What attracted you to this sonic direction?
V
Honestly, it’s just what attracted us as music enjoyers. We both love digging into different styles, and this time around, these sounds were exactly what we were into, so we thought it’d be fun to play around with them. I feel that’s what gave the album its authentic vibe. It was all about making music we could truly enjoy.

THE 8, you’ve explored contemporary dance, visual art, DJing and now exhibited artwork internationally. You’ve spoken about art as a way of expressing emotions that words can’t. What inspires you most when creating visual art?
T8
I tend to deeply explore the emotions I experience in everyday life, and I don’t think those feelings always have to be pretty or perfect. Even in things that feel incomplete, broken or painful, there is a unique beauty to be found. In that sense, the moments and emotions I go through in life itself are my greatest sources of inspiration.

To broaden that perspective, I also make a conscious effort to continuously immerse myself in art, whether through exhibitions or films. Understanding what I feel through these different experiences ultimately fuels my creative energy behind what I craft.

t-shirts, scarf, pants LOUIS VUITTON
jewellery artist own

VERNON, you’ve become known as both a songwriter and producer, collaborating with artists beyond SEVENTEEN. What do you enjoy most about creating music for others? 
V
For me, the intimacy of working with and for people I’m close to is what makes the process so much more enjoyable and meaningful. Creating music with friends allows us to really connect, making the whole experience feel more like sharing a genuine part of who we are.

Fashion has become another important form of self-expression for both of you. How does style influence your creative mindset?
T8
To me, fashion, making music, painting and any other form of expression shares the same foundation. Only the medium changes, the underlying thought process remains the same. I simply choose whatever medium feels closest to expressing a specific emotion, whether that’s painting, dance or song, so I don’t see them as fundamentally different. 

This mindset applies to my life as a whole, too. Even in everyday moments, like searching for a nice restaurant, I follow the exact same rhythm and approach. Everything is fluidly interconnected, which makes fashion, and every other creative medium, just another natural outlet for me to channel my emotions.

With your recent live shows and an immersive art event, and achieving a great response to the album while staying true to your unique artistic vision, how do you balance artistic freedom with audience expectations?
V
I don’t, to be honest. I just try to be true to myself. As much as I love seeing people enjoy my work, I appreciate anyone who even takes the time to care about it at all. I think that’s the best way I can stay authentic to both myself and the audience out there.

all MAISON MARGIELA
ring artist own

Both of you have built strong artistic identities over time. In what ways do you hope to continue growing as artists in the future?
T8
As I’m currently working on music to share next, I want to keep growing as an artist who continuously expands his musical spectrum and depth as an artist.

Although VERNON is taking a brief pause from his activities, I look forward to the new synergy we’ll create when we reunite as V8, after taking time to learn and grow in our respective spaces.

V
I feel like I always have something I want to be better at, so I want to focus on those things one by one more than anything. By staying grounded and listening to what draws my interest, I’ll be able to shape work that authentically represents me. 

full look ANN DEMEULEMEESTER

Lastly, can you share a glimpse of what lies ahead for V8?
T8
When the time aligns, I truly believe V8 will return with even better music and a more evolved side of ourselves. In fact, that’s one of the reasons that drives me to continuously work on music while getting to know who I am on a deeper level. Of course, good music matters, but I believe you have to understand yourself first to showcase art and music with your own unique colour. Through this journey of discovering who I am and who VERNON is, I think we are finding the music that we do best.

hoodie and pants MARITHÉ FRANÇOIS GIRBAUD
shoes CONVERSE

Personally, DJing is another vital outlet that brings me fresh inspiration. With so much music existing in the world, DJing itself feels genuinely limitless. Yet the more I do it, the more I recognise areas where I can grow, which ironically makes it even more captivating. Experiencing this culture opened my eyes to a whole new world of music and gave me great memories. That’s actually why I started DJing. I wanted to introduce and share what I love with our fans. Being in those moments together is my greatest happiness. Rather than setting grand goals, I simply want to keep sharing good vibes and my favourite music with fans in whatever way I can. So please look forward to what’s to come for both THE 8 and V8.

V
By the time this comes out, I’ll be serving in the military. This project really allowed us to have fun making music on our own terms and build connections with a broader audience. In many ways, it feels like the beginning for V8. So whenever the right time comes, I hope we can get back together and share this experience with you all again. Much love to everyone who supported V8.

TEAM CREDITS:
talents V8
photography KIM YEONG JUN
styling LEE JIN
hair LEE JAE SUN
makeup LEE SUK KYUNG
set and props YOO YEO JUNG
production BL CREATIVE HOUSE
executive producer LEE KYUNG KIM
pa LEE JIN KYOUNG and PARK MI JEONG
casting TIMI LETONJA and JANA LETONJA
editor TIMI LETONJA
interview JANA LETONJA
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN