Seoul. K-pop group 1VERSE is breaking new ground with its debut single album on Friday, featuring two of its five members as North Korean defectors.

The group, under Seoul-based label Singing Beetle, consists of North Korea-born rapper Hyuk and singer Seok, alongside Nathan from Arkansas, Kenny from Los Angeles, and Aito from Japan. Their debut single album, The 1st Verse, features the title track Shattered, co-written by Hyuk and Kenny.

While not the first K-pop act to include North Korean defectors, 1VERSE’s diverse lineup adds a rare dimension to K-pop’s expanding global identity.

Hyuk, who grew up in North Korea’s North Hamgyong Province until age 12, defected in 2013. His journey to becoming a K-pop artist began while working in a South Korean factory, where a chance meeting with a label CEO led to weekend rap lessons in Seoul. Initially, Hyuk was skeptical, fearing a scam. “I really had nothing to lose, not even dust would come out if you tried to rob me,” he said, recalling that the executive’s consistent support eventually led him to join the agency in late 2021.

Seok, who began playing soccer at age eight in North Korea, defected in 2019 and briefly played for a semi-professional team in South Korea before studying physical education. His transition to music began after being approached during a weekend soccer game about joining an idol training program. “I started music with the mindset that if it didn’t work out, I could just stop and try something else,” Seok said.

Both members reflected on their limited exposure to music while growing up under restrictive conditions in North Korea, where listening to South Korean music is illegal. Seok recalled hearing f(x) and Super Junior songs occasionally, while Hyuk spent much of his childhood gathering firewood to survive.

The group’s diversity is reflected in their training, which includes courses on global citizenship. “We want to be inclusive of everyone’s history and situations back home,” Kenny explained.

The band’s journey has already resonated with fans online, with Seok sharing how supportive messages on his emotional video diaries moved him to tears.

Hyuk acknowledged the interest in their North Korean backgrounds but emphasized the group’s collective identity. “It’s not just me but all our members here too. It’s a journey we’re creating together,” he said.

The 1st Verse is now available on all major streaming platforms.