In the ever-evolving landscape of global pop, 1VERSE stands out not just for their sound, but for their story. Comprising members with backgrounds that span continents and traditions, the group has quickly become a symbol of how music can transcend borders. Their approach is refreshingly grounded, favoring “body language” and raw emotion over rigid perfection. In this comprehensive sit-down, we explore the cultural curiosity that drives them, the grueling memories of their pre-debut days, and their defiant message to a generation facing societal pressure: “screw the standard.”
Your music blends so many cultural influences—how would you describe 1VERSE’s unique style to someone who hasn’t heard you yet?
We aim to show that you can maintain a strong cultural identity while participating in a global pop sound, focusing more on the “feeling” and the “story” than just the spectacle. Our lyrics are grounded and relatable because they come from each member’s personal stories, allowing for a more realistic approach to storytelling.
Your backgrounds span continents and traditions—how do you preserve your individuality while forming a strong collective identity?
We see ourselves like a team in a game: you need healers, attackers, and defenders. Everyone has a distinctive purpose, and we focus on just being ourselves, which naturally creates a blend. We never push something that is solely one person’s identity; it involves all of our stories.
What role do languages play in your artistic expression, especially balancing Korean, English, and other influences?
Honestly, our mastery language at the moment is body language! We’ve realized language isn’t as important as we thought; our bond is about the feeling we bring to each other. The real difficulty is actually understanding everyone’s different backgrounds and upbringings.
How do your personal stories shape the messages you choose to express through music? In songs like Multiverse, Shattered, and Love It, we find commonalities in our individual experiences and weave them into the message. Sometimes it’s not a specific story but a feeling—we storytell the specific emotions we felt.
Looking back at your pre-debut training, is there one memory that still inspires you today? The “Global Citizenship” training was pivotal for learning to respect different cultures. Also, those voluntary night practices after 7:00 PM—though exhausting—remain the fondest memories of our bond.
What creative risks have you taken that felt pivotal in defining your sound? During the recording of Shattered, some parts felt out of our range. One member had to sing a very high note and felt they “literally needed to be saved”. Through practice, we discovered these risks helped us find our real boundaries.
How do you approach songwriting or performance when it comes to sharing vulnerability with your audience? In songwriting, you put a part of yourself on paper; the more “real” you are, the stronger the connection. In performance, the “feeling” is most important—if the audience leaves feeling something, they won’t care about a small mistake.
What are some cultural elements you hope global fans understand better from your music? We hope they see our authenticity. There is so much societal pressure to meet certain standards, but our message is: “screw the standard”. Following a standard just makes you less unique.
Many young people look up to artists as role models—what is one message you’d like to give your fans about pursuing their dreams?
If you really love it, you should stick with it. The “art of trying” means the percentage is never zero—if you don’t try, the probability is zero. Obstacles are not there to stop you, but for you to overcome.
If you could collaborate with any artist in the world, who would it be and why?
Our wishlist includes Aespa, Taemin from SHINee, and Choi Yu-ree. Some members also want to work with Dean because of his incredible voice, or Doechii because her sound is so cool.
Elisa Cutullè