SEOUL, South Korea (AP) 鈥 With two out of five of its members North Korean defectors, the K-pop group 1VERSE is breaking new ground as it debuts its single album Friday.
The band represents an unusual convergence of backgrounds: North Korea-born rapper Hyuk and singer Seok join Nathan from Arkansas, Kenny from Los Angeles, and Aito from Japan.
While not the first K-pop act to include North Korean defectors 鈥 BE BOYS鈥 Hak Seong debuted earlier this year 鈥 the diversity of the group's members add a rare dimension to the genre鈥檚 growing global diversity.
The group debuts Friday with their single album 鈥淭he 1st Verse鈥 under Seoul-based label Singing Beetle. Their title track 鈥淪hattered鈥 features lyrics co-written by Hyuk and Kenny.
From the soccer field and a factory to stardom
鈥淲ith members from different countries all coming together as 1VERSE, I just thought 鈥榳e can do this regardless of background鈥 going forward,鈥 said Aito, the group鈥檚 youngest member from Chiba, Japan.
Hyuk, who lived in North Korea鈥檚 North Hamgyong Province until age 12, defected to the South in 2013. His journey to K-pop stardom began while working in a factory in South Korea, where a chance encounter with the CEO of a music label eventually led to weekend rap lessons in Seoul.
鈥淚 went to university but then things went bad. It was when COVID was pretty severe, and a bad incident happened, so I had no choice but to work at a factory,鈥 he said.
Initially skeptical, Hyuk thought the invitation to become a pop star might be a scam. He recalled thinking: 鈥淚 really have nothing right now, even if you rob me, not even dust would come out."
After a year of meetings where the music executive consistently bought him meals and encouraged his training, Hyuk joined the agency in late 2021.
Seok鈥檚 path was similarly unconventional. A former soccer player who started playing at 8 years old in North Korea, he defected in 2019. He declined to provide additional details, citing safety concerns.
After arriving in South Korea, he briefly played for a semi-professional team before pursuing physical education studies. During weekend soccer games he was approached about an idol training program.
鈥淚 was starting music for the first time, right? So I started with the mindset that if it doesn鈥檛 work out, I can just stop and try something else,鈥 Seok said.
Limited exposure to K-pop growing up
Both members鈥 experiences reflect harsh realities they left behind. Hyuk described spending eight to 10 hours daily collecting firewood as a child just to survive.
鈥淲here I lived, we had to collect firewood just to cook rice and survive day by day 鈥 it was essential,鈥 he recalled.
Hyuk didn't have much access to music growing up. 鈥淪ince I lived struggling every day, I lived so busily that I wonder if I even had time to listen to music 鈥 I didn鈥檛 have that luxury,鈥 he said.
Seok had some exposure to K-pop in North Korea, listening occasionally to f(x)鈥榮 鈥淟A chA TA鈥 and Super Junior songs despite it being illegal in North Korea to listen to South Korean music. 鈥淚 probably heard K-pop back in elementary school. But I couldn鈥檛 listen often since it was illegal,鈥 he said.
Gaining international traction
Experts and defectors say K-pop and other South Korean pop culture products have emerged as a challenge to North Korea鈥檚 leadership as they steadily gained popularity among the public.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has intensified campaigns since the pandemic to eliminate South Korean cultural influence.
Nathan, from Arkansas, first encountered K-pop through his Texas-based cousins who were longtime fans. 鈥淚 would kind of just pretend to be a hater, like urgh, K-pop. And then I just so happened to come across EXO鈥檚 鈥楪rowl鈥 music video on YouTube,鈥 he recalled.
The group鈥檚 diverse backgrounds are reflected in their training, which includes courses on global citizenship. 鈥淲e want to be inclusive of everyone鈥檚 history, everyone鈥檚 current situations back home,鈥 Kenny explained.
Seok expressed excitement about connecting with international fans, particularly in America. 鈥淪ince I came from North Korea, it鈥檚 hard to see foreigners there. So I really wanted to see people from other countries,鈥 he said.
The group has already gained traction online. Seok described filming emotional video diaries during difficult early training days, which fans responded to with supportive messages.
鈥淚 filmed that diary video with somewhat emotional, slightly teary feelings. And I uploaded it to TikTok or YouTube, and fans sent me comforting letters," he said. 鈥淎s soon as I saw the first line, tears came out and I was really touched.鈥
Hyuk acknowledged the attention their North Korean background generates while emphasizing the group鈥檚 collective identity.
鈥淚鈥檓 very grateful that people are paying attention to us,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 okay as long as it doesn鈥檛 lean too much to one side ... it鈥檚 not just me but all our members are here too, it鈥檚 a journey we鈥檙e creating together.鈥
The group鈥檚 debut single album is available on all major streaming platforms.