SEVENTEEN’s Vernon and The8 to Release First V8 Unit Album on June 29 Ahead of Group’s Military Hiatus

PLEDIS Entertainment confirmed that Vernon and The8 will release their first album as unit V8 on June 29. The announcement came as the group’s five remaining members prepare for military enlistment later in 2026. The unit name V8 combines the V from Vernon and the 8 from The8.

PLEDIS Entertainment stated that the name represents the duo’s unstoppable drive powered by their unique artistic energy, like a powerful V8 engine. Both members are actively involved in writing and composing the album. Vernon, born Choi Vernon Hansol, is one of SEVENTEEN’s main rappers and has participated in songwriting across the group’s discography since its 2015 debut.

Vernon became a full member of the Korea Music Copyright Association in 2024 and joined the Recording Academy’s voting membership in 2025. The8, born Xu Minghao, is a main dancer in SEVENTEEN and released the EP Stardust in 2024, which incorporated dance film and visual art elements under his The 8 Contemporary Art project.

The pair previously collaborated on the song 54321 (Lift Off), included on The8’s Stardust EP.

An image of The8 performing was released on December 12, 2024. V8 is SEVENTEEN’s sixth official subunit. Earlier units include BSS, comprising Seungkwan, DK, and Hoshi, which produced hits including Fighting, CBZ (Prime Time), and Just Do It.

Coups and Mingyu), and DxS (DK and Seungkwan). The 2026 Vernon The8 V8 Live concerts are scheduled for July 11 and 12 at Hall 1 of KINTEX Exhibition Center 1 in Goyang, South Korea, and for July 18 and 19 at AsiaWorld-Expo Hall 10 in Hong Kong. The album release and concerts follow the start of SEVENTEEN’s unit era during the members’ military enlistment hiatus, with the full group reunion scheduled for 2028.