K-Pop Band 1VERSE, Featuring Two North Korean Defectors, Makes Global Debut
Ask students: How does this lead single reflect Yu Hyuk’s personal life and past experiences?
Note: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this bell ringer activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
The world of K-pop has fresh new faces: the band 1VERSE with a debut album and lead single, “Shattered.” The boy band has an improbable origin story that includes two North Korean defectors.
View the transcript of the story.
Key Term
defector — someone who leaves their country, organization or group, often for political or personal reasons.
Discussion Question
- Who is Yu Hyuk, and what hardships did he experience in North Korea?
- What is the title of 1VERSE’s lead single?
- How does this lead single reflect Yu Hyuk’s personal life and past experiences?
- Which global hit inspired Kim Seok to pursue music?
- When did Kim Seok escape from North Korea?
Focus Questions
- In what ways can music act as a form of protest or resistance?
- Why do you think music and art are such powerful tools for people who have experienced trauma or hardship?
- Media literacy: If you were a journalist interviewing Yu Hyuk and Kim Seok, what else would you want to ask them, and why? What parts of their stories would you want to explore further to better understand how their past experiences have shaped who they are today?
Extension Activity: Design a Magazine Cover Activity
Use credible sources to research more about the life of either Yu Hyuk or Kim Seok, and then design a magazine cover (using either paper or a free online platform like Canva) to highlight their personal story and journey to becoming a member of 1VERSE.
Your magazine cover should include:
- An image or drawing of your chosen 1VERSE member (either Yu Hyuk or Kim Seok)
- An attention-grabbing title and subtitle
- 6–7 sentences about your chosen 1VERSE member’s life, including why and how they left North Korea, any challenges they faced after escaping, how they first became involved with music, their journey to joining 1VERSE, etc.
- A list of the credible sources you used for your research
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Republished with permission from PBS News Hour Classroom.
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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