North Korean defectors make debut in new K-pop boy band


Members of K-pop boy band 1VERSE performing their new single in front of a camera in Seoul. - Reuters

SEOUL: A new K-pop boy band made its global debut on Friday (July 18) with two members who defected from North Korea and an album that includes a song about the consequences of escaping one of the world's most repressive states.

1VERSE, pronounced "universe", is made up of five men in their 20s from North Korea, Japan and the United States, who go by their first names, Hyuk, Seok, Aito, Nathan, and Kenny.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
South Korea , defectors , k-pop , band , album

Next In Aseanplus News

Malaysians must reject division to succeed, says Anwar
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Friday (Jan 30, 2026)
‘Yishun spirit’: Residents in Singapore rally together to rescue kitten trapped in drain pipe
Four dead after suspected murder-suicide incident in Western Australia
Cambodia is hell, not a safe haven: Hun Sen warns scammers
Herry ramps up training as Aaron-Wooi Yik eye All-England showdown
Chow Yun Fat gets mistaken for fellow actor Lo Hoi Pang, praised for witty response
WHO says Nipah virus risk low in India with no sign of spread
Batu Caves escalator issue to be settled by July, says temple chairman
Malaysia sending 14 election observers to Bangladesh, led by EC chairman

Others Also Read