Chapter Text
Vernon and Yves on Expectations, Artistic Expression, and Identity
By Yves
Photographed by Jeon Wonwoo
Styled by Kim Mingyu
May 26, 2025
From making beats on Soundcloud to joining GAM3 BO1Z on the stage at Head in the Clouds, everyone has their eyes on Vernon as he gears up for his official debut: a pop-punk and hyperpop inspired mixtape titled The Thirteen Tapes. After going viral for his cover of Weezer’s “Say It Ain't So” and collaborating with big names in the K-pop scene, it seems like Vernon can't go anywhere else but up. Fellow K-soloist and longtime collaborator Yves (Ha Sooyoung) sits with Vernon to discuss his music and journey through the industry.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2025 AT 2:17 PM
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
YVES: Hi Vernon! How are you?
VERNON: Hi, noona. I’m doing great. How about you?
YVES: Same here, I can't complain.
VERNON: Didn't you just come back from your tour?
YVES: Yeah, just a couple of days ago.
VERNON: That’s awesome. I saw Mechatok went to your concert, I'm insanely jealous.
YVES: I mean, your track record so far is impressive for having just debuted: The 8 from BACK 2 BACK, GAM3 BO1Z… at Head in the Clouds no less!
VERNON: Yeah, that was crazy to experience. I never thought I'd be performing to a crowd like that.
YVES: That was, in a way, your introduction to the public eye, wasn't it?
VERNON: It was. I wanted to lay low a little bit after the news got out that I was joining Lotto Records and didn't want to show anything until I was sure I had a body of work I was proud to debut with.
YVES: You should be very proud. The Thirteen Tapes is so different to what someone hears in the K-pop scene but it's so uniquely you. Was that something you had to balance knowing it was going to be your official debut?
VERNON: Hmm… yes and no? I mean, we both know that the music industry is inherently a business and music itself is a deeply personal thing. Like, what if I poured my heart out into something only for it to completely flop? But I think that's where having a support system like S.Coups-hyung and the rest of GAM3 BO1Z really pushed me to take risks that a new artist normally wouldn't do. It's like, if I can't be fully myself in my own music, then what's the point?
YVES: Absolutely. Art is inherently expressive.
VERNON: Exactly. I think when I first sat down to brainstorm this mixtape, I had to ask myself, “What can I bring to the table that I want to showcase to the world?” I wanted The Thirteen Tapes to be sort of a thesis statement of who the soloist Vernon is.
YVES: Was pop-punk and hyperpop something you've always wanted to do for your debut or did the idea come after?
VERNON: It’s definitely something I've always wanted to do. I essentially grew up on pop punk: the likes of Avril Lavigne, Blink-182, Green Day, My Chemical Romance... I love how explosive, yet so authentic the music can be. You could say the same for hyperpop, too. At first glance someone might think hyperpop is an upbeat genre that you could only play at raves and clubs–which it is, don't get me wrong–but then you hear tracks like "Detonate" by Charli XCX or "Everything I Ever Wanted" by Tiffany Day that are electronic to its core and there still able to reach into your soul and speak to you in a way that nothing else can't.
YVES: That's also why I love that style of music. To me hyperpop really represents the chaos of life very well. Sort of like... have you ever had moments on stage where the reality of your situation hits you?
VERNON: Kinda like there's a spotlight on your entire life?
YVES: Exactly.
VERNON: Yeah, I really wanted to focus in on that feeling for this mixtape, and what better way to play around with very expressive genres like pop punk and hyperpop? Especially as my debut. I want it to feel like a thesis statement of Vernon Chwe.
YVES: I'm actually curious for your perspective on this. As K-soloists, we find ourselves up against K-pop and industry giants. Do you find yourself having to balance what you want to produce and publish versus what's expected of you?
VERNON: That’s a really good question. I definitely was hesitant at first. Like, what if you put something out that's deeply personal and it's met with criticism and low charting? But I think that's where having a strong support system really helps. I mean, it took the both of us a while to choose our respective labels, y’know?
YVES: For sure.
VERNON: Plus, coming from Soundclound and really having to put myself and my music out there, you really learn to appreciate your art and what you're willing to tinker with to adapt with the current musical landscape. And the truth is, you shouldn't need to tinker with much. If you have support from your peers, the label, and your fans, you can put out the art that you want the world to see.
YVES: Absolutely. I could really see it in your music video for "Shining Star". I really loved all the movie references.
VERNON: Thank you. Film is also as a part of me as music is, so it was a given I wanted it as an element in my debut. I mean, Bridge to Terabithia, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Interstellar… these movies deal with a lot of figuring out your identity and finding your place in this world. Growing up half-Korean in New York… identity and belonging is something that's always been in the front of my mind. I try to make every choice intentional, at least as much as I can in this process.
YVES: The last shot with Thelma and Louise was a nice addition.
VERNON: I'm so glad you caught that! It's also one of my favorite films growing up.
YVES: What about recent movies? What’s your last four watched on Letterboxd?
VERNON: Let me see if I can remember without pulling out my phone. Backrooms, The Drama, The Sheep Detectives… oh! I rewatched Barbie as The Princess & the Pauper with my sister.
YVES: It's a surprisingly good movie!
VERNON: It has so much more charm than I remembered when I watched it back when we were kids. I love when movies aimed at children have layered jokes and references for older audiences. Plus, Preminger was hilarious but also a really charming villain.
YVES: If you ever do a film focused music video again you should do animated movies.
VERNON: I’ll consider it. Maybe I’ll get one of my hyungs from GAM3 BO1Z to play Preminger.
YVES: That would be really fun to see. Okay, last question. What's next for Vernon Chwe?
VERNON: What's next? God, I have no clue. I feel like I’m just taking it a day at a time. I have a couple of ideas I’m brainstorming in the studio but I don't want to rush myself too hard. I feel like I’m always generating ideas in my mind so I trust myself that these ideas will come naturally. I definitely want to collaborate more with artists… perform at festivals… open for someone on tour… I dunno. The possibilities are endless.
YVES: I have no doubt you’ll achieve everything you set your mind to.
VERNON: Thank you, noona. And thank you for this awesome interview.
sooyoung 🍎 >
can i ask a question off the record
??
what happened with boo seungkwan
TT
accident i swear
ahh
nothing else?
it really was. he came up on "ppl you should follow" and i pressed it accidentally w/o realizing
i took a nap after and everything
😭 oh nooooo
he's out of my league, anyways
oh? 👀👀👀👀👀👀
NO
jihoonie_neko · AKA five cats in a trenchcoat
bskwonderful98
http://www.applecorepublications.com/music/vernon-and-yves-on-expectations-artistic-expression-and-identity
Apple Core Publications
Vernon and Yves on Expectations, Artistic Expression, and Identity
From making beats on Soundcloud to joining GAM3 BO1Z on the stage at Head in the Clouds, everyone has their eyes on Vernon as he gears up for his official debut...
jihoonie_neko
i read that the other day
great article
vernon's cool isn't he?
bskwonderful98
He's very interesting
jihoonie_neko
Want me to connect u guys? idk if he's open for collabs but we talk a lot
bskwonderful98
it's okay he got my number during the instagram fiasco
would it be weird to randomly talk to him about the article when we hadn't really talked since then
jihoonie_neko
i don't think so
why would it be weird
you're always doing the same with other idols
bskwonderful98
Idk
jihoonie_neko
unless
bskwonderful98
?????
jihoonie_neko
if u wanna get to know him personally thats also ok
bskwonderful98
I just wanna compliment him on his artistic direction
jihoonie_neko
is that what the kids call it these days
bskwonderful98
Wtf is that supposed to mean
Oh very convenient you just opened League of Legends
Also we're only 2 years apart you asshole
Vernon 🎸>
Hi Vernon! I hope this isn't too random lol but I read your article on Apple Core Publications. Great article, it's so insightful :)
hi seungkwan! thank you so much
that means a lot
That's really cool you get to have that creative freedom as an artist
yeah i'm grateful about it
i assume it's harder as a kpop group?
A little bit
Woozi-hyung makes it easier though. He's the one always pushing our ideas onto the table
You know how it is for more traditional groups
We kinda just had to do whatever the company says we should do
It can be very restricting sometimes :( Especially when the company thinks your idea won't sell
ugh that sucks
i'm sorry
It is what it is I guess!! Sorry for the rambling haha
it shouldn't be though!! you deserve to have your voice and ideas heard
also no worries ur not rambling
if u need to run by ideas lmk
i'll try to find time in between my busy schedule lol
Lol, no worries. I'm the last person you'll get grief from when it comes to busy schedules
But I'll definitely take you up on that offer!
:D