SEVENTEEN's Vernon Says "I'll Be Back" With Surprise Single on Enlistment Day

SEVENTEEN's Vernon announced a surprise release of solo track "I'll Be Back."

The SEVENTEEN member will release his new single on August 20th at 6 p.m KST, following the track’s live premiere during "2026 VERNON THE 8 [V8] LIVE" in July.

"I'll Be Back" is an electronic track driven by a distinct pop sensibility and a more lyrical, sentimental atmosphere. Vernon participated in both writing and composing the song, weaving a sincere message dedicated to fans into the track. The meaning of the surprise drop deepens as Vernon is set to begin his mandatory enlistment service on August 20th as well.

The release further expands Vernon's increasingly diverse solo catalog as he had previously showcased different sides of his musical identity through various tracks. These included "Lost" from V8's first mini album, his solo track "Shining Star (Vernon Solo)" from SEVENTEEN's fifth full-length album and his mixtape "Black Eye."

Beyond his own solo work, Vernon has remained heavily involved behind the scenes. Together with The8, he took a leading role in the production of V8's debut mini album while continuing to collaborate with artists across different genres and markets.

His creative work has also led to greater involvement within the wider music industry as Vernon became a voting member of the Recording Academy in 2025. Furthermore in 2024, he was also promoted to full membership in the Korea Music Copyright Association.

Meanwhile, Vernon and The8 recently appeared at a rave party hosted by Seoul Community Radio and FKA twigs, continuing V8’s activities beyond their album promotions.