mechatok

post image

VERNON and THE 8 on Creative Freedom and the Making of V8

When SEVENTEEN’s VERNON and THE 8 began conceptualizing their collaborative project, they weren’t looking to redefine the boundaries of K-pop. Instead, their focus was on achieving total creative freedom. By building a project entirely on their own terms, the duo moved away from the traditional industry model of top-down creative briefs, opting instead to curate a community of artists and producers they genuinely admired. The result is V8, a genre-defying EP released on June 29 that weaves together elements of EDM, bloghouse, hyperpop, and alternative pop.

VERNON and THE 8 on creative freedom, collaboration, and building V8

The project, which took 10 months to record, features a global powerhouse of talent including Mechatok, Alice Longyu Gao, Pharrell Williams, KIRARA, and Dylan Brady of 100 gecs. Rather than adhering to strict mandates, the team operated through a shared musical language, utilizing “sonic moodboards” and late-night studio sessions to let the music evolve organically.

Building a Global Sound

For VERNON and THE 8, the “V8” title serves as a metaphor for the engine driving their creative output—a reflection of their decade-long journey with SEVENTEEN. The production process was highly intentional, with the duo acting as singers, producers, and A&R representatives simultaneously. This hands-on approach allowed them to maintain a cohesive vision while collaborating across continents, from Seoul to Los Angeles and Berlin.

Mechatok, who became a key collaborator after VERNON publicly shared his work, noted that the process felt less like a formal business arrangement and more like a creative exchange between friends. “It wasn’t even a DM at first,” Mechatok recalls. “It all happened really organically.” This sentiment was echoed by the duo, who emphasized that the best music starts with people, not a pre-planned strategy.

Discipline and Artistic Evolution

Despite the relaxed, “homie” atmosphere in the studio, the level of discipline remained high. The artists spent long hours refining vocal inflections and arrangements, ensuring that every detail met their exacting standards. This dedication to their craft is evident in tracks like “singasong,” which features a unique, collaborative energy that the artists credit to their mutual trust and shared work ethic.

VERNON and THE 8 in the studio.

As they look back on the creation of V8, both VERNON and THE 8 hope that listeners will appreciate the honesty and personal growth embedded in the music. By stepping outside the conventional expectations of a K-pop project, they have successfully crafted a record that feels both experimental and deeply personal, marking a significant milestone in their respective careers.