K‑Pop Boy Band 1VERSE Debuts With North Korean Defectors

Move over, bubblegum pop and glittery personas—there’s a new K-pop group in town rewriting the genre’s rulebook. Meet 1VERSE, the five-member boy band that just made their official debut, bringing not just synchronized moves and catchy tracks, but also two powerful stories of survival and escape from North Korea.

Formed by members Hyuk, Seok, Aito, Nathan, and Kenny, the group hails from North Korea, Japan, and the U.S. and is managed under indie label Singing Beetle. Their name, pronounced “universe”, reflects a shared identity shaped by vastly different backgrounds—and yes, the group is as diverse as it sounds.

Their debut EP, The 1st Verse, dropped at midnight Friday and was accompanied by a live-streamed performance. The standout single, “Shattered,” blends synth-pop with raw emotion—especially for Hyuk, who says the song reflects the heartbreak he felt learning of his father’s death after escaping North Korea.

"After I was caught stealing, I was beaten hard until I was bleeding. I was really hungry and instinctively I was thinking about survival," said Hyuk in an interview at the group’s Seoul studio.

Born in Kyongsong, North Korea, Hyuk fled the regime as a child with the help of a broker arranged by his mother, who had already resettled in South Korea. Today, he’s not only living his dream—he’s eating three meals a day, a luxury he didn’t always have.

For fellow defector Kim Seok, 25, music was part of the escape plan long before he crossed the border. Growing up in a Chinese border town, Seok caught glimpses of K-pop through smuggled music videos—Psy’s Gangnam Style was a particular favorite.

He escaped with his father and grandmother when he was 20.

While the group has gained attention for its backstory, 1VERSE doesn’t want to be just known for that. According to Hyuk:

“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.”

Their producer and label head Michelle Cho hopes this is just the beginning for a more authentic approach in an industry known for perfection.

“Who doesn’t love the story of someone from a humble background chasing their dreams, especially K-pop,” she said.

As the world tunes in to The 1st Verse, 1VERSE isn’t just adding to the ever-growing list of K-pop groups—they’re changing what it means to be one. Their rhythm is global, their stories are real, and their message? No matter where you come from, you deserve a chance to dance in the spotlight.