Two North Korean Defectors Make Debut with K-Pop Group 1VERSE, Chasing Global Dreams After Overcoming Harsh Realities

Hyuk and Seok, two young men who escaped North Korea, officially debuted as members of the K-Pop group 1VERSE following intense training sessions. Affiliated with the Seoul-based label Singing Beetle, this group marks the first time North Korean defectors have entered the mainstream K-Pop idol scene. 1VERSE is a five-member multinational group composed of Hyuk and Seok, both North Korean defectors, Nathan from Arkansas in the United States, Kenny from Los Angeles in the United States, and Aito from Chiba in Japan. The group made its official debut on July 18 with the single album “The 1st Verse,” with the title track “Shattered” co-written by Hyuk and Kenny. Hyuk lived in North Korea’s Hamgyong Province until the age of 12 before escaping to South Korea in 2013. Life in North Korea was extremely difficult just to survive. “Where I lived, we had to gather wood to cook food, and we never rested a day just to stay alive,” he recalled. He added, “I spent 8 to 10 hours every day gathering wood, and I didn’t even think about listening to music because I had no time for that.” After settling in South Korea, Hyuk attended high school but dropped out of college due to poverty. The difficulties worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, and he said, “I had no choice but to work in a factory.” While working at the factory, he coincidentally met the CEO of a music label and initially suspected it might be a scam. He meant that he had nothing at that time, to the point where even if robbed, he wouldn’t have anything to take home. However, after the label’s management continuously paid for his meals and encouraged him to train, he joined the label in November 2021. “Throughout a year of getting to know each other, they believed in me and encouraged me,” he said, expressing his gratitude. After that, he began serious training by attending rap classes on weekends in Seoul. Seok’s path was similarly unique. He started playing football in North Korea at the age of 8 and escaped to South Korea in 2019. He did not disclose further details for safety reasons but confessed, “I loved music in North Korea.” He said, “At that time, I wrote lyrics about my mother and nostalgia by myself, and I still look at those notes from time to time.” After settling in South Korea, Seok once played for a semi-professional football team and studied physical education. He was offered a chance to participate in an idol training program during a weekend football match. “I started it with the mindset that since this was my first time in music, if it didn’t work out, I could just give up and try something else,” he recalled. He joined Singing Beetle in 2022 and underwent rigorous training. Both members are 25 years old and have endured intense training processes after entering K-Pop through their respective paths. Meeting at a café in Seoul, Hyuk and Seok expressed their determination, with Aito saying, “As five people from different backgrounds come together as one 1VERSE, it makes me think that anyone can do it regardless of their background,” and Seok and Hyuk adding, “We thought we could open up new paths through K-Pop.” 1VERSE’s debut adds new significance to K-Pop history. Although BE BOYS’ Hakseong made a debut earlier this year, 1VERSE is notable as a true global group featuring two North Korean defectors alongside members from five different countries. The group’s composition serves as a concrete example of K-Pop’s global diversity. Michelle Cho, the representative of Singing Beetle, described them as “a group that symbolizes K-Pop’s global growth.” The success stories of these two North Korean defectors simultaneously demonstrate an individual’s resolve to never give up on dreams even in extreme conditions and the openness of South Korea’s music industry to such talents. 1VERSE is planning to enter the United States and aspires to join the ranks of global superstars following K-Pop megastars like BTS and BLACKPINK.