K-Pop Boy Band 1VERSE Debuts With Two North Korean Defectors, Five Members From North Korea, Japan, and US

The new K-pop boy band 1VERSE made their global debut on July 18, 2025, featuring two members who defected from North Korea. The group consists of five men in their 20s from North Korea, Japan, and the United States, known by their first names: Hyuk, Seok, Aito, Nathan, and Kenny. Their debut album includes a song addressing the consequences of escaping North Korea, one of the world's most repressive states. While the band has attracted attention for including North Korean defectors, member Hyuk expressed hope that the group would be evaluated based on the quality of their music rather than their backgrounds. The band’s name, 1VERSE, is pronounced "universe."