K-pop Band 1VERSE Debuts Featuring Two North Korean Defectors

The K-pop boy band 1VERSE, consisting of five members from North Korea, Japan, and the U.S., debuted with their EP 'The 1st Verse,' featuring the lead single 'Shattered.' Notably, two members, Hyuk and Seok, are defectors from North Korea who escaped harsh conditions including hunger and forced labor. Hyuk, who fled North Korea as a child, and Seok, who discovered K-pop near the border before defecting, use their music to share stories of resilience and freedom. The group aims to inspire fans with their authentic experiences, diverging from the typically polished K-pop image. Their debut highlights a rare diversity in the genre, reflecting personal hardships and the complexities of escaping one of the world's most repressive regimes. The band’s global roots and raw storytelling are seen as a new dimension in K-pop's growing international appeal.