Remember The K-Pop Group With North Korean Trainees? What Are They Up To Now?
K-Pop made history by debuting idols who are former North Korean citizens. The only time North Korea and South Korea met for K-Pop prior to this idol group’s debut was when Red Velvet performed there in 2018.
But former SM Entertainment’s A&R Michelle Cho took history into her own hands by producing K-Pop’s first idol group with North Korean members. She is known for writing some of the biggest songs by the biggest idols, including EXO‘s Baekhyun and Kai, SEVENTEEN, and many more.
On her social media, Michelle was as clear as possible about her new project, sharing information about creating the first K-Pop group with “North Korean refugees” called SB BOYZ. The group debuted under K-Pop company Singing Beetle.
As expected, with Michelle being so open about her project, it immediately gained attention and quickly a fan page for the members was made. On the account, they shared the details of the members who were expected to debut in SB BOYZ, including the two North Korean members Seok and Hyuk.
[PROFILE] Introduce SB BOYZ member:
– Name: Seok (석)
– Birth Name: Kim Seok (김석)
– Birthday: April 3, 2000
– Nationality: North Korea
– Position: Vocalist#SEOK #석 #SBBOYZ pic.twitter.com/Wl8oT3FSRX— SB BOYZ GLOBAL (@SBBOYZ_GLOBAL) December 9, 2023
[PROFILE] Introduce SB BOYZ member:
– Name: Hyuk (혁)
– Birth Name: Yu Hyuk (유혁)
– Birthday: March 3, 2000
– Nationality: North Korea
– Position: Rapper#HYUK #혁 #SBBOYZ pic.twitter.com/C9zB54aOSO— SB BOYZ GLOBAL (@SBBOYZ_GLOBAL) December 9, 2023
There were also rumors of a member who is Chinese-American set to debut. He was already known to some as Kenny who starred on the survival show Asia Super Young.
[PROFILE] Introduce SB BOYZ member:
– Name: Kenny
– Birth Name: Hao Ruiran (郝瑞然)
– English name: Eric Hao
– Birthday: December 8, 2000
– Nationality: Chinese-American
– Position: Vocalist#郝瑞然 #Kenny #KennyHao #SBBOYZ #亚洲超星团 #ASIASUPERYOUNG pic.twitter.com/to7oCdmbRP
— SB BOYZ GLOBAL (@SBBOYZ_GLOBAL) December 9, 2023
Even the Wall Street Journal took time to create an featuring the two trainees.
This aspiring rapper once begged and stole on the streets of North Korea. Now he’s taking a shot at K-pop stardom. https://t.co/6pkSL39nR7 https://t.co/6pkSL39nR7
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) November 19, 2023
In particular, Hyuk shared the hardships of his journey from North to South Korea. He grew up in Kyongsong, a county on the eastern coast of North Korea and after his parents separated, he stayed in North Korea as his mom moved to the south. After finally joining her, Hyuk had to go through a mandatory three-month program for North Korean escapees designed to help them adjust to life in the South.
Following the release of the Wall Street Journal article, Michelle shared that she was holding auditions for the remaining spots.
Well, what came out of the auditions? Members Nathan (3/4 Laotian, 1/4 Thai) and Aito (Japanese) ended up passing the final auditions and finalizing the five member lineup, who debuted in July 2025 as 1VERSE.
The group is currently actively promoting as rookie idols, with a comeback with their first digital single WABIF (‘Wide Awake Before I Fall’) back on January 21, just a few days ago. Unfortunately, Hyuk is currently sitting out from promotions due to health reasons.
