©
2025. All Rights Reserved.
The art of music has often blossomed on the outskirts. It has developed on the borders of the nations and spread through the underrepresented groups. The Korean music industry is the same. It has often become the medium for artists to make their presence felt and to spread their message. It has continued to provide hope to underdogs, small companies, and dispersed fans around the world. Now, when the industry tries to sustain its mainstream success, a new wave of underrated K-Pop groups is carrying forward its spirit. Among them, 1VERSE, Big Ocean, and RE:WIND particularly stand out for representing communities that have long been marginalized or unseen.
These groups are the powerful new-gen artists carrying the task of proving that success isn’t reserved for those who fit a mold. Due to this message, they hold a special place in the hearts of a longtime K-Pop aficionado like myself. Their creations are a reminder of the serendipitous feeling of discovering K-Pop right when you most needed it. So, here's an exploration of why these underrated K-Pop groups are the new faces of the industry and why they deserve a place in your playlists.
How Korean Culture Is Captivating The World: April 2025 Hallyu ReportK-Culture InsightsMay 1, 2025
What Is The Real Meaning Of K-Pop?
When people generally think of Korean pop music, they associate it with elaborate visuals, synchronized choreography, and infectious hooks. However, its true essence runs far deeper. K-Pop isn't simply a musical genre; it is a culture born out of a spirit of change and innovation. In the 1990s, when the Korean entertainment industry wasn't catering to the rising new generation, groups like Seo Taiji and Boys took charge of representing their issues through music. They mixed the tried and trusted Western influences with the Korean roots to become the father of the new-gen industry. Several influential groups played their roles to creatively push this initiative forward and help K-Pop achieve global stardom.
kpop in the 2000s pic.twitter.com/4PrLs1R0jp
— 2000s (@PopCulture2000s) April 15, 2025
Yet at its core, K-Pop continues to remain about community and storytelling. It places importance on emotional resonance, connection, and the ability to create shared experiences across languages and borders. Conversations among the fans who easily bond over their shared love and trends such as ‘Wonyoungism’ provide a lens to witness how K-Pop grows as a community rather than just a music genre. However, it wouldn't have been possible if K-Pop hadn't given a stage to underrepresented voices and, particularly, a space for youth to connect. And now, underrated K-Pop groups like 1VERSE, Big Ocean, and RE:WIND are continuing that spirit by daring enough to believe in it themselves.
1VERSE: Healing Through Shared Stories
Among the most inspiring new-gen K-Pop artists is the pre-debut group 1VERSE, consisting of Hyuk, Seok, Aito, Kenny, and Nathan. They're a multinational team that includes two AAPI members, a Japanese-Korean member, and two North Korean defectors.
We had a chance to ask them about their artistry through an email interview. "We all come from different places, but through our music, our stories come together as one.” Hyuk shared, “Like puzzle pieces that become a picture only when joined, we believe that being together allows our music to become something more beautiful and meaningful."
Seok touched upon their challenges, such as language barriers, and how he sees them as a part of their identity: “I can’t help but feel that this very experience is what 1VERSE is all about.”
Kenny added to it, sharing, “As individuals, we’ve all struggled to pursue our passions. As aspiring artists, we took a different path than most because there’s no set curriculum for learning the art of entertainment or music. Since there’s no single ‘right’ way, every experience becomes part of the process. So when we create, we go in with the mindset of, ‘I’m just gonna do me.’ We draw from everything we’ve learned: our personal stories, our unique skills, the highs and lows. That’s what has shaped our music so far, and we can’t wait for you to hear where it’s taken us.”
Enjoy full access for just $1
Join over 10,000 active members!
🌟 Special Contents for Subscribers
