K-pop group 1VERSE is first to feature North Korean defectors

Boy band members Hyuk and Seok describe grueling journeys leaving home country

20241104N Kpop 1

From left to right, Seok, Hyuk, Aito and Kenny from 1VERSE speak to Nikkei in October in Seoul. (Photo by Ahn Seong-bok)

JUNNOSUKE KOBARA, Nikkei staff writer

SEOUL -- The boy band 1VERSE is about to make history as the first K-pop group to debut with North Korean defectors among its four members.

1VERSE, pronounced "uni-verse," bill themselves as a multinational unit that creates music reflecting stories from each member and all of its fans. All four performers spoke to Nikkei in Seoul, relating their individual experiences and their vision for the group.

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