1VERSE, a groundbreaking K-pop boy band, made its global debut on July 18, 2025, blending diverse backgrounds and raw storytelling.
The five-member group consisting of Hyuk, Seok, Aito, Nathan, and Kenny hails from North Korea, Japan, and the United States. Their first EP, titled “The 1st Verse,” features three tracks, including the lead single “Shattered,” which comes with a music video released on the same day.
The band aims to stand out in the polished world of K-pop by sharing authentic experiences, particularly through the stories of its North Korean defectors, Hyuk and Seok. Producer Michelle Cho of the Singing Beetle label sought to create a group that feels genuine: “Who doesn’t love the story of someone from a humble background chasing their dreams, especially in K-pop?”
1VERSE was created to offer a fresh perspective on K-pop, emphasising global diversity and personal stories. Cho shared her vision for authenticity in an industry often perceived as “picture-perfect.” The members of the group connected over their shared passions, with Chinese-American Kenny stating, “Isn’t it fun? Our group is just a unique representation of global diversity.”
A new K-pop boy band, 1VERSE, made their global debut with two members who defected from North Korea and an album that includes a song about the consequences of escaping one of the world's most repressive states https://t.co/i8MCEcMkLt
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 18, 2025The debut performance streamed at midnight, showcasing slick choreography against stroboscopic backgrounds. “Shattered” draws from Hyuk’s grief over his father’s death in North Korea, symbolising loss and resilience.
1VERSE North Korean Defectors’ Journeys
Hyuk, 25, from Kyongsong, North Korea, escaped as a child to China and beyond, arranged by his mother in South Korea. He endured hunger from age nine, sometimes stealing for food: “After I was caught stealing, I was beaten hard until I was bleeding. I was really hungry, and instinctively, I was thinking about survival.” Now in South Korea since 2013, he values freedom and the three daily meals.
Read: North Korean Defectors Hyuk and Seok Debut in K-Pop Band 1Verse
Seok, who is also 25 years old and hails from a border town near China, discovered K-pop through a friend’s portable player, which included Psy’s hit “Gangnam Style.” At the age of 20, he escaped North Korea with his father and grandmother. The North Korean regime’s strict crackdown on South Korean culture, punishing K-pop consumption with hard labour sentences, highlights the significant risks they faced during their escape.
A new K-pop boy band, 1VERSE, made their global debut with two members who defected from North Korea and an album that includes a song about the consequences of escaping one of the world's most repressive states. More here: https://t.co/06sKXmxKrK pic.twitter.com/oFQLbqQQvi
— Reuters Showbiz (@ReutersShowbiz) July 18, 2025Both appreciate performing freely, with Hyuk aiming to inspire: “I want to become an idol that brings energy and the message that cheers up many people, that they aren’t alone and there are even people like me.”
North Korea’s repressive regime sealed its borders during COVID-19, worsening abuses like executions and starvation, per UN reports. Defectors like Hyuk and Seok highlight these struggles while embracing new lives.
