(ANN/KOREA HERALD) – The members of 1VERSE — Hyuk, Seok, Aito, and Kenny — are on the brink of achieving a milestone every K-pop trainee dreams of: their official debut. What sets them apart is their unique background, making them the first K-pop group to feature North Korean defectors.
Hyuk, 24, and Seok, 23, who escaped North Korea years ago, are set to make history as the first North Korean defector idols. Hyuk fled alone in 2013 after living as a “kkotjebi” (a street child) in North Korea. His six-month journey to South Korea led to years of hard work, juggling part-time jobs and school. “I never imagined I could pursue music until a teacher encouraged me,” Hyuk said.
Seok, who arrived in South Korea in 2019 after fleeing North Korea, initially pursued soccer before finding his passion for singing. “Giving up soccer made me even more determined to chase my dream of becoming a singer,” he shared.
Aito, 18, from Japan, grew up breakdancing and idolising K-pop stars, while Kenny, a 21-year-old Chinese American, left college to follow his dream of becoming a performer. Despite their vastly different backgrounds, the members bonded over their shared goal of creating music that resonates globally.
Overcoming challenges together
The group, formed under Singing Beetle Entertainment, has spent nearly a year training intensively. Language barriers posed a significant challenge, with Hyuk and Seok learning English while Kenny and Aito studied Korean. The members take daily vocabulary tests and spend time together outside practice to strengthen their teamwork.
“Even though cultural and language differences can lead to misunderstandings, our care for each other helps us overcome them,” Seok explained. Hyuk added, “The thrill of being on stage makes all the hard work worth it.”
Unlike Aito and Kenny, who grew up immersed in music and dance, Hyuk and Seok started from scratch. “The hardest part of trainee life was everything,” Hyuk admitted, but his love for performing kept him motivated.
A message of resilience and connection
1VERSE’s debut album, set for release early next year, will focus on the members’ personal stories. Kenny, who is actively involved in the album’s creation, explained, “We want to share our stories and connect with fans by hearing theirs.”
Hyuk hopes to use his music to convey honesty and emotion. “Everyone has feelings they can’t express, and I want to reach those through my music,” he said. Aito added that the group aims to deliver a message of resilience: “Even if you make mistakes, don’t give up. Keep moving forward with the support of those who believe in you.”
“We want 1VERSE to be universal,” Kenny concluded. “Our goal is to create music that connects with everyone, regardless of background.”
With their resilience and determination, 1VERSE is poised to break barriers and redefine what it means to be a K-pop group. Their journey promises not just music but inspiration for fans worldwide.
