Members of the soon-to-debut boy band 1VERSE practice choreography at their agency, Singing Beetle, in Nonhyeon-dong, Seoul. From left are Seok, from North Korea, Nathan, from the United States, Hyuk, from North Korea, Aito, from Japan, who leads the dance choreography, and Kenny, from the United States. Courtesy of Singing Beetle

The drive to the neighborhood of southern Seoul's Nonhyeon-dong, where entertainment company Singing Beetle is located, offered small but sharp uphills and bends. Thankfully, the cab driver was skillful behind the wheel, maneuvering the narrow alleys, amid the pedestrians and other vehicles.

At first glance, the area seemed like a nondescript mix of commercial and residential buildings. Then again, so were the backstreets of Cheongdam-dong — even if they were more upscale — where Korea's top entertainment firms such as SM Entertainment and JYP Entertainment first set up shop. The Singing Beetle is the new kid on the K-pop block, led by Michelle Cho, a songwriter and record producer with credits to songs from EXO's Baekhyun ("Stay Up" featuring Beenzino) and Kai ("Ride or Die"). Cho is the CEO of Singing Beetle and the creator behind 1VERSE, the company's maiden band project.

At Singing Beetle's underground office, the five members of 1VERSE practice daily, make music and create content as they count down the days before their debut. The five are Hyuk, 25, and Seok, 24, two former North Korean defectors; Kenny, 22, and Nathan, 23 from the United States; and Aito, 20, from Japan.

Hyuk, who had to beg for food in North Korea when he was 8 years old, found comfort in writing short poems and rap after arriving in South Korea in 2013. He was recruited by Cho in 2020, following an appearance on a television program.

Hyuk then became the first trainee of Singing Beetle. Now, he draws inspiration "from the dramatic life I have lived" in his music creations.

Seok, a former football player, arrived in South Korea in 2019. Having lived in a town near the border with China, Seok had listened to smuggled South Korean music USBs. Seok said music is what moved and comforted him when he felt nervous. "I think I began to think about becoming a singer then," he said.

Aito, Kenny and Nathan were interested in music and dance early on in life. Together, they aim to be first K-pop band with North Korean defectors — but also hope to lead among fifth-generation K-pop bands.

"Debuting 1VERSE first in the United States is a hypothesis that I and the Singing Beetle will be testing," Cho said.

"Testing the hypothesis" was a phrase she often used during the interview. Coming in the wake of BTS, the third-generation K-pop group that achieved mainstream success in the Western market, fifth-generation bands faced the challenge of going a step further. In that process, Cho is pursuing her vision of music with 1VERSE.

Michelle Cho, a songwriter and producer, is CEO of the newly founded entertainment agency Singing Beetle. It plans to debut a five-member K-pop boy band in the United States soon. Courtesy of Singing Beetle

Despite their contrasting personalities, the five members have forged a bond through their teamwork.

Asked if they were scared because of the differences stemming from their diverse backgrounds, Hyuk asked Kenny, "You scared of me?"

"No," Kenny replied, "I came from California!"

Such was the banter between the two.

Like most K-pop trainees, they currently live together and punch in office hours from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. They put 12 hours on average into practicing and music each day, also working on the weekends. When asked about their predebut feelings, the members expressed excitement and nervousness.

Kenny, left, and Hyuk, seated, discuss writing lyrics and music. Courtesy of Singing Beetle

"I am a bit nervous, but I will try my best to show what I have achieved during training: an honest expression of what I was trained for and how I overcame difficulties," Hyuk said.

"I hope to convey the inspiration and the comfort that music gave me during hard times in my life," Seok said.

"It is a bittersweet moment ... We are nervous but excited to show and explore so many new things," Kenny said.

Nathan said that he is telling himself "to not let it get to my head."

Aito, who has worked as a dance teacher, said he was eager to show what he and his bandmates have been practicing.

Since the band's first public outing in October 2023 — Nathan joined last year — it has uploaded a significant amount of cover dance performances and other content. They have so far have amassed a fan base of 782,000 on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram.

Asked whether they found it too taxing, Hyuk said: "I think I am rather comforted, and I get a sense of stability when I open up and express myself. I think it is about having the confidence to not be liked, the courage to be hated. When you are planning to do big things, you have to have such courage."

Cho said that the company focused extensively on their training. For example, it trained the members to take part in various aspects as a team, from writing music to creating content. She also focused on self-motivation, and has been offering various coaching sessions on setting goals and maintaining mental health.

Due to the global nature of the group, they had classes on global citizenship, learning about cultural differences, history and current affairs. In the case of Hyuk and Seok, some areas of training took longer.

Cho recounted days when Hyuk and Seok would initially take eight hours to learn and pick up a 30-second dance routine. "But they did it. They made it work. The dance teacher these days tells me, 'I can't believe it worked,'" Cho said.

1VERSE members practicing at the Singing Beetle's office in Nonhyeon-dong, southern Seoul. Courtesy of Singing Beetle

Their music is being kept under wraps for now. "The music has to come with impact, wham, bang," Cho said.

Hyuk said, "The anticipation is so high (about the songs included in the album). Honestly, I don't know just how high of an expectation I should be having."

All in all, when the curtain goes up on the stage, they want the audience to know that "We worked hard," Nathan said.

"When they hear our music and hear our stories, I hope people feel that they are listened to and heard," Kenny said.

"I want the listeners to feel the emotions, the inspirations and comfort that music gave me through my performance," Seok said.

"I want to show my passion and goals with dance, style and fashion on stage," Aito said.

"I haven't thought too deeply. I think people can feel something if I keep walking, on my feet, step by step, and steadily. I aim to stay on my path," Hyuk said.

Many new K-pop bands debut every year, but not many find success. "I hope 1VERSE will shine brilliantly but with warmth, too," Cho said. In the next room, three members' footsteps thumped on the floor, executing powerful dance moves as they performed SHINee's "Lucifer."

Seok, back, and Aito, front, pratice dance at Singing Beetle. Courtesy of Singing Beetle

Who is Michelle Cho?

Cho, 37, is a multi-platinum songwriter and was formerly part of SM Entertainment's artists and repertoire (A&R) team. Cho is one of the rare women CEOs in the entertainment industry. On being a female leader in the K-pop industry, she said she was grateful as "people might remember me more quickly," which she said helps in the business.

From 2014 through 2016, she led international songwriter camps as part of SM Entertainment's A&R team, bringing star composers and producers from all over the world to collaborate with Korean artists.

Cho's educational background did not center on music, but she always knew her passion would lead her back to the industry. Having majored in international studies at Korea University, and international education policy at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cho poured her knowledge and expertise into the Singing Beetle's training program. She founded the Singing Beetle after leaving SM Entertainment. In 2020, she was selected as part of the Obama Foundation's Asia-Pacific Leaders Program.