1VERSE is a new international K-pop boy group that debuted in 2025 under the label Singing Beetle. What makes them especially noteworthy is that two of the five members, Hyuk and Seok, are from North Korea, making them the first North Korean defectors to debut in a K-pop group. 

The other members include Aito from Japan, Kenny (Chinese-American), and Nathan (an American with Laotian-Thai roots). The group’s name, 1VERSE, symbolizes the idea that each individual contributes their own “verse” to a shared “universe.”

Their debut single album, The 1st Verse, was released on July 18, 2025, featuring the title track "Shattered", which was released in both Korean and English. Prior to that, they had already released the song "Multiverse" as a tribute to their fans, who call themselves 5TARZ.

The band stands for diversity, inclusion, and the power of music to transcend boundaries, both cultural and political. Their story has captured global attention, not only for their musical talent but also for their deeply moving personal journeys.