Hyuk grew up in North Korea focused solely on survival—school days spent working odd jobs, stealing food, and doing manual labor to help feed his family. K-pop, widely banned in the North, was a luxury he couldn’t afford to enjoy.
Today, he’s preparing to debut in South Korea’s vibrant music scene as a member of the K-pop group ‘1Verse’, becoming one of the first North Korean defectors to enter the industry as an idol.
At just 13, Hyuk made the risky journey to the South to join his mother, who had escaped years earlier. “To me, the world was just North Korea—nothing beyond that,” he told AFP.
In contrast, his bandmate Seok, also a North Korean defector, grew up near the border in a relatively affluent family. Unlike Hyuk, Seok secretly listened to smuggled K-pop songs and videos, drawn to the glamorous outfits and polished style of the South’s pop idols. He defected at 19, determined to chase his own musical dreams.
The two young men met after being introduced by friends to Michelle Cho, CEO of the Seoul-based label Singing Beetle, who quickly recognized their potential. Cho recalled first encountering Hyuk’s raw talent while he was working in a factory, and Seok’s determination and self-confidence immediately impressed her.
Cho began providing free training, studio time, and encouragement, setting them both on the path to stardom. Together, Hyuk and Seok joined other international talents—a Chinese-American, a Lao-Thai American, and a Japanese dancer named Aito—to form 1Verse, a uniquely diverse K-pop group.
Initially, language barriers were significant, but as Hyuk explained, it didn’t stop them from connecting deeply. “We’re learning about each other’s cultures, bridging gaps little by little,” he said. “Surprisingly, we communicate really well.”
For their Japanese member Aito, meeting North Korean defectors like Hyuk and Seok was an eye-opening experience. His initial anxiety about negative media portrayals quickly vanished, replaced by friendship and mutual understanding.
Now, as 1Verse nears its debut, the group symbolizes unity, resilience, and dreams realized through music. Hyuk and Seok are eager to share their journey, hoping to inspire others with their extraordinary story.
“I really want to move someone with my voice,” Seok said. Hyuk, reflecting on the moment, added emotionally, “It really hit me—wow, we’re almost there.”
