The highly anticipated new sub-unit from K-pop titans SEVENTEEN, consisting of members The8 and Vernon, has officially given fans a first look into the raw, rebellious artistic identity of their upcoming debut project. According to an official announcement by their management agency, Pledis Entertainment, on June 12, 2026, the newly formed duo performing under the unit name V8 released their first set of concept photos and teaser films across official social media channels for their upcoming first mini-album, also titled V8, which is scheduled to drop on June 29, 2026.

The stunning initial concept photos focus heavily on capturing the complex, unpolished traces of raw youth. Fittingly titled the “RATS NEST” version, the visual theme uses disordered, messy, and tangled urban spaces as a background metaphor. The production team revealed that the messy setups are meant to represent the complicated and confusing mental state of young adults, acting as a visual map of the struggles they have endured simply to survive in a chaotic world.
The teaser photos safely capture the attention of global music fans by highlighting the unrefined, natural energy of both The8 and Vernon:

Global music critics and fanbases are already showing immense interest in V8’s first mini-album due to the incredibly high-profile list of domestic and international music producers attached to the tracklist. The8 and Vernon have reportedly collaborated closely behind the scenes with massive industry legends, including legendary American musician and super-producer Pharrell Williams, Pledis Entertainment’s resident hitmaker Bumzu, electronic music icon Kirara, innovative sound designer Mechatok, and 100 gecs member Dylan Brady. This incredibly diverse lineup promises to deliver a highly unique, genre-bending sonic landscape that expands SEVENTEEN’s musical spectrum even further.
Following the highly anticipated digital and physical album release on June 29, the sub-unit will immediately transition into live stadium promotions. V8 is scheduled to kick off a series of exclusive solo concerts, starting with massive opening weekend shows on July 11 and 12, 2026, in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Fans expect the duo to perform the entirety of their new experimental tracklist live for the very first time during these stadium dates.