Multiculturalism and diversity are becoming the new standard for K-pop bands, especially following the global success of Lisa, the Thai member of BLACKPINK. On one hand, there's KATEYE, with two members who recently revealed they are LGBTQ. On the other, there's Big Ocean, the first K-pop group composed of artists with hearing impairments. Now, 1Verse emerges, a groundbreaking new group made up of artists with extraordinary personal stories.
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According to their agency, Singing Beetle, the group consists of two North Korean-born artists, Hyuk and Seok, who defected and now live in South Korea. The lineup also includes Japanese-born Aito and two Americans: Kenny, of Chinese descent, and Nathan, whose family hails from Laos and Thailand.
The agency also revealed that Seok, Nathan, and Kenny are vocalists, while Hyuk is a rapper and Aito is a dancer.
Leading the group is Cho Michelle, the founder of Singing Beetle and a seasoned music producer formerly with SM Entertainment.
"Fans can expect something authentic, something powerful, something that uplifts and moves them. This exciting debut reflects who 1VERSE is , the inspiring paths they've taken to get here, and the kind of future they're ready to build," Cho said in announcing the band's debut date.
"In preparation for their debut, the members have received intensive artistic training and have spent time connecting their cultural and personal backgrounds," Singing Beetle said. According to the company, they practice each other's languages and hold daily conversations to foster mutual understanding and strong group chemistry.
The group's name, 1Verse, reflects the idea that "each member brings their unique story to form a unified universe of stories and identity," the company adds.
The band's official launch, scheduled for July 18, is being preceded by a social media and YouTube campaign, in which the artists have been introducing themselves to their audiences, showcasing their vocal, musical, and physical preparation process, including their choreography.
Additionally, this week the group announced on YouTube that the official name of their fan group is "5Tarz."
The launch of this new group also coincides with a resurgence of global public interest in K-pop, with the long-awaited return of BTS and the Asian tour of BLACKPINK, two of the most important groups globally.
