India, Jan. 23 -- Making history as the first K-pop group to feature North Korean defectors, 1Verse (pronounced Universe) is set to embark on its inaugural US tour, SHATTERED. The five-member group has drawn global attention for its unconventional line-up, with Yu Hyuk and Kim Seok from North Korea, Aito from Japan, and Nathan and Kenny from the US. The band debuted in July 2025 and released its first track of 2026, WABIF (Wide Awake Before I Fall), on January 21. While Yu Hyuk is currently on hiatus, the tour marks a deeply personal milestone for Kim Seok (25). Once a secret listener of K-pop through smuggled USB drives in North Korea, Seok will now travel the world as a performer in the very industry he once admired from afar. "A lot of things are different in South Korea. I struggle mainly with the language, not just the pronunciation, but even the words are different," he tells us, adding,"And the way they do things also! The first time I went to an ATM and my card got stuck, I had no idea what to do. Everything was new, and I kept asking myself, 'How do I live in this new world?' There's a misconception about South Korea where I come from. Yes, there's a roof over my head, and I'm earning, but I had to start from scratch." Finding support among his bandmates became a turning point. The group was also surprised to learn about its growing fan base in India, known as 5STARZ. Sharing a message with their desi fans, the members said, "It's unbelievable that our music has reached so far. To all our fans in India, we are grateful for your support and glad that so many of you resonate with our music. We'll be there whenever you want us!"...