K-pop band 1VERSE debuts with two N. Korean defector members

With two out of five of its members North Korean defectors, the K-pop group IVERSE is breaking new ground as it debuts its single album on Friday. The band represents an unusual convergence of backgrounds: North Korea-born rapper Hyuk and singer Seok join Nathan from Arkansas, Kenny from Los Angeles, and Aito from Japan.

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While not the first K-pop act to include North Korean defectors — BE BOYS’ Hak Seong debuted earlier this year — the diversity of the group's members add a rare dimension to the genre's growing global diversity. The group debuts on Friday with their single album “The Ist Verse” under Seoul-based label Singing Beetle. Their title track “Shattered” features lyrics co-written by Hyuk and Kenny. “With members from different countries all coming together as IVERSE, I just thought 'we can do this regardless of background' going forward,” said Aito, the group's youngest member from Chiba, Japan.