Yu Hyuk was just nine years old when survival became his only focus. Growing up in North Hamgyong, one of North Korea’s poorest provinces, Hyuk spent his childhood begging on the streets, running errands for soldiers, selling mushrooms, and occasionally stealing food out of desperation.
His life was a constant struggle, leaving little room for dreams.
But dream he did. Now 25, Hyuk is set to debut in the U.S. as a member of 1Verse (pronounced “universe”), the first K-pop boy band with North Korean defectors.
The five-member group includes Hyuk, Seok (also a North Korean defector), Aito from Japan, and Asian Americans Kenny and Nathan. Together, they aim to make history.
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A Harrowing Journey
Hyuk’s early life was marked by hardship. After his parents separated when he was four, he was raised by his father and grandmother in a seaside village in Kyongsong County.
His family’s situation quickly worsened, with his father refusing to work and his grandmother too old to help.
By the time his mother escaped to South Korea, Hyuk refused to join her, unwilling to leave his father behind.
Eventually, his father convinced him to reunite with his mother.
In 2013, Hyuk escaped from North Korea, embarking on a months-long journey through several countries to reach South Korea.
For safety reasons, Hyuk avoids sharing details of his escape route, fearing it could endanger future defectors.
Once in South Korea, Hyuk struggled to adapt. Barely educated beyond primary school, he found the country’s competitive education system overwhelming.
However, writing became his solace.
He penned short poems inspired by his life in North Korea and later discovered his passion for rap with the encouragement of friends and teachers in a school music club.
“I couldn’t openly share what I’d been through, but I still wanted to make a record of it,” he said.
His rap song Ordinary Person reflects his feelings of loneliness and longing for his father, referring to himself as “the loneliest of the loners.”
From Factory Work to K-pop Trainee
After graduating high school at 20, Hyuk worked part-time at restaurants and factories to support himself. His life took a turn in 2018 when he appeared on an educational TV program.
His unique background and rap talent caught the attention of Michelle Cho, a former producer from SM Entertainment.
Cho, who had launched her own agency Singing Beetle, offered him a spot as a trainee.
At first, Hyuk didn’t trust her, as defectors are often targeted by scams in South Korea. But after a year, he realized Cho’s investment of time and resources was genuine.
Kim Seok, 24, also joined the agency. Unlike Hyuk, Seok came from a relatively well-off family near the Chinese border, where he had access to smuggled K-pop and K-dramas.
Despite their different backgrounds, both Hyuk and Seok were described as “blank canvases” by Cho.
“They had absolutely no grasp of pop culture,” she said. Yet, their resilience and ability to endure physical challenges amazed her.
Despite grueling hours of dance practice, they pushed through with such determination that Cho often worried they were “overdoing it.”
Apart from music and dance training, Hyuk and Seok also underwent lessons in etiquette and media engagement to prepare for interviews.
Initially, they struggled to express their opinions, often responding with “because you said so” when asked about their reasoning.
Over time, Hyuk developed a more inquisitive nature, questioning everything—sometimes to Cho’s amusement.
Bridging Cultural Gaps
The band’s diverse lineup led to initial hesitations among some members. Aito, the youngest at 20, admitted he was wary due to historical tensions between North Korea and Japan.
“I thought North Koreans would be scary, but that turned out not to be true,” he said.
Kenny, who grew up in the U.S., faced a different kind of cultural adjustment. “Korean culture is very communal—you eat together.
I usually prefer eating alone with Netflix in my ear,” he said. “But their joy comes from being collective.”
Late last year, the band welcomed Nathan, an American of mixed Laotian and Thai heritage, completing the five-member lineup.
The Road Ahead
1Verse is set to debut in the U.S. later this year, hoping to attract American fans.
Although dozens of K-pop groups debut annually, only a few achieve mainstream success. Still, Hyuk remains optimistic.
His ultimate dream is for his fellow North Koreans to hear his songs.
With human rights activists smuggling K-pop content into North Korea via USBs and balloons, this dream may not be as far-fetched as it seems.
However, Hyuk treads carefully, avoiding direct criticism of North Korea and referring to it as “the upper side” in interviews.
Under Kim Jong Un’s regime, consuming or distributing K-culture is punishable by death.
For Hyuk, his mission goes beyond music.
“Many defectors see an insurmountable gap between themselves and K-pop idols. It is hardly a career option for us,” he said.
“So if I succeed, other defectors might be encouraged to have even bigger dreams. That’s why I am trying my hardest.”
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