Debut of New K-Pop Boy Group Featuring North Korean Defectors as Members

K-pop Group 1VERSE Makes Historic Debut with North Korean Defectors

In a milestone event for the music industry, K-pop boy band 1VERSE made their global debut featuring two members who are North Korean defectors. This groundbreaking moment occurred during a live-streamed showcase at midnight on July 18, marking a significant first in the K-pop scene, where members with North Korean origins have been trained for stardom in South Korea.

Introducing 1VERSE

Pronounced as “universe, ”the group comprises Yu Hyuk and Kim Seok, two North Korean defectors, alongside Nathan from Arkansas, Kenny from Los Angeles, and Aito from Japan.1VERSE launched their first EP titled The 1st Verse in partnership with the Seoul-based label Singing Beetle, which features three tracks including their debut single, “Shattered.”

Backgrounds of the Members

Yu Hyuk, 25, hails from Kyongsong in North Korea and escaped to South Korea in 2013 at just 13 years old. His early life was dominated by severe poverty, where he took on labor as young as nine and sometimes turned to theft for survival. Reflecting on his harrowing experiences, Hyuk shared, “After I was caught stealing, I was beaten hard until I was bleeding. I was really hungry and instinctively, I was thinking about survival, ”during a press interaction at the group’s studio in Seoul.

In contrast, Kim Seok, who also turned 25, defected in 2019 and grew up in a border town adjacent to China. While he was initially on a soccer career path, exposure to K-pop via smuggled USB drives and SD cards eventually led him to shift his focus to music after arriving in South Korea.

Production and Concept of 1VERSE

Produced by Michelle Cho, the founder and CEO of Singing Beetle, 1VERSE boasts a remarkable production background. Cho, who graduated from Harvard and previously held a position at SM Entertainment, has been instrumental in projects that have collectively sold over 8 million albums. The concept of “1VERSE”represents the unification of diverse stories and backgrounds of its members, illustrating how individual “verses”can come together to create a harmonious “universe.”As Kenny noted during the press conference, “It can be lonelier as a verse, but together we can form a song.”

A Pioneering Moment in K-pop

While 1VERSE is recognized as a pioneering act in including defectors in their lineup, they are not the first to feature North Korean members in a boy band. Earlier this year, another group named BE BOYS debuted, featuring Hakseong, who fled North Korea in 2017 at the age of 13. Nevertheless, 1VERSE stands out as the first band to include two defectors as core members, amplifying their significance in the industry.

Context and Challenges

Their debut occurs during a time when North Korea has tightened its grip on its citizens following the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to reports of severe human rights violations, including executions and forced labor. Despite these grim realities, both Hyuk and Seok are finding new opportunities, sustaining hope for a brighter future in their new lives.

Building a Worldwide Following

Even before their official debut, 1VERSE has generated excitement and built a global fanbase, amassing nearly one million followers across various social media platforms. They have particularly strong engagement in countries such as the United States, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom.

For those interested in their journey and music, the group’s official content can be accessed on platforms like

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE_lqvJ4qzo

1VERSE 유니버스 'Shattered' Official MV (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE_lqvJ4qzo)

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