Hyuk and Seok fled North Korea separately as teenagers. Now, after intense K-pop training, they are making their debut as members of the boy band 1VERSE. Speaking to CNN at a cafe in Seoul, they share their excitement and their dreams.

Seoul

Hyuk and Seok, both originally from North Korea, escaped separately as teenagers and have since undergone intensive K-pop training in South Korea. Now, they are debuting as members of the multinational boy band 1VERSE, which also includes members from Japan and the United States.

The group has already gained significant attention online, amassing over 22 million likes on TikTok. Hyuk and Seok emphasize their desire to be seen as individuals and musicians, rather than solely as North Korean defectors, and hope their journey encourages others to pursue their dreams.

Meet the K-pop stars from North Korea

These two North Korean defectors are realizing their K-pop dreams. When I first came to Korea, I didn't know I was going to do music. When I was up there, I didn't have time to listen to music. I didn't have the environment to listen to music, so I didn't know what music was. Shonken Seok came to Seoul separately as teenagers after escaping North Korea through China. When I came to Korea, I felt like I was born again. When I was young, I used to come to Korea to work out, but now that I'm here, I'm starting something new. That pursuit took two and a half years of dance and vocal trainings, a regimen often seen as strict and intense, but Seok looks back on it with affection. Ever since I was young, I've done a lot of group activities. I used to wake up early in the morning, kick the ball, and run. I think I've gotten used to this regular group activity. When you're an idol trainee, you get to communicate with a lot of fans. Some fans ask me, Are you North Korean? Whenever that happens, I think, As a person who came from North Korea, I don't think they saw us as North Koreans, but as a person who really likes us. When I'm in that kind of situation, I think I feel those times very meaningful. They're making their official debut in a group called Universe, with bandmates Aito from Japan, Kenny from California, and Nathan from Arkansas. We made the songs. The songs were made by us. We put our experiences into the songs. I think it's a result of us working together. They already have more than 22 million likes on TikTok and are planning to debut in America, maybe even teaming up with U.S. artists down the road, just like members of K-pop megagroups Blackpink and BTS. For now, Hyuk and Seok are beyond excited to share their music with their fans, and hopefully giving them the courage to chase their own dreams. My wish is for everyone to see me as a person, rather than as a North Korean. I'm dreaming because I'm a North Korean, but I don't want to say, but if I go my own way without saying anything, I think everyone will feel something when they see me go my own way.

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