Earlier this February, fans were able to experience the 1VERSE takeover in New York City. From fanmeets to the group’s <SHATTERED> Tour stop, the weekend was packed with music, dance, and a little bit of chaos. I was able to photograph and review the show, and am so grateful for the opportunity. Read on for a full recap of the weekend and a look back at the show!

1VERSE (pronounced “universe”) is a South Korea-based boy group that debuted in July 2025. The group truly reflects a universe of cultures and backgrounds: members Kenny and Nathan are from America, Aito is from Japan, and both Hyuk and Seok are refugees from North Korea. While the members come from very different places, they share similar stories of finding home and purpose in unexpected circumstances. 1VERSE was formed as the first group under Singing Beetle, a new music label and management company focused on “more inclusive and wholesome K-Pop” (source: Singing Beetle’s Instagram bio). 1VERSE’s fans are called 5TARS (pronounced “stars”).

After their first U.S. tour was postponed in Fall 2025 due to visa issues, the group was finally able to hit the road this winter, performing across the United States before arriving in New York City. At the time of writing, member Hyuk is on hiatus for personal and health reasons. Even so, the group has been giving their full energy at every stop, taking part in interviews, collaborations, fanmeets, and of course, their high-energy shows.

The day before their NYC show, 1VERSE partnered with hello82 for a prom-themed “layover stop,” hosted at hello82 NYC’s brand-new fan space and store. Fans attended the free event to take prom-style Polaroids with the group, join a Q&A session, and film fun dance challenge videos alongside the members. Fans were fitted in their best dresses, suits and shoes and came dressed to impress. And impress they did!

It was an intimate, memorable gathering ahead of the show - one that let fans experience each member’s personality up close. Kenny was hilarious and playfully snarky with the fans, a true diva. Nathan came across as confident and outgoing, Aito was soft-spoken, yet an incredible performer, and Seok was more reserved, quietly taking everything in with a smile on his face. The event was a fantastic preview of the show the following day.

By the night of the show, fans were lined up and down the sidewalk, braving the freezing cold for 1VERSE at The Racket in New York City. In addition to standard tickets, attendees could purchase special add-ons, including early entry, individual selfies and group photos with the members. There was also an option for “Hi Touch” (more on that later). As a newer group, 1VERSE’s official merchandise catalog is still growing, and while merch was available at the booth, fans arrived already prepared with customized signs, pickets, and carefully protected photocards. Many held lightsticks from their other favorite groups to brighten the crowd - and one fan even brought a homemade 1VERSE lightstick, complete with lights and their logo! The excitement in the air was undeniable, but what stood out most was how sweet and wholesome the atmosphere felt. The audience was very diverse in style, age and gender, a representation of 1VERSE’s fandom. I also spotted families and older couples alongside younger friend groups - a contrast to the typical standing-room concert crowd I’m used to seeing.

The concert opened with no warning - just lights, and then 1VERSE’s “Shattered” exploded through the venue, leaving fans screaming and trying to sing along at the same time. Whoever handled the lighting design deserves a kiss and a billion-dollar thank-you, because it was simply perfect. The lights were designed to match each song, flashing colors and effects on beat, capturing the energy of the music and elevating every moment onstage.

Each member proved themselves to be a strong vocalist, and the choreography felt perfectly matched to their strengths. If you dropped me into that crowd with no context, I never would’ve believed they debuted less than a year ago. It was unreal. Their stage presence was already there, and they balanced singing, dancing in sync, and interacting with the crowd without missing a beat.

Throughout the night, 1VERSE guided the audience through their discography - and a few surprises along the way. At the moment, the group only has three songs released, but the show never felt lacking. By weaving in fan-favorite covers and spacing out their own tracks, the production clearly understood what the audience needed. Between songs, the members played games, asked the crowd questions, and shared stories from the tour and their journey as a group. They rotated on and off stage for solo performances, duets, dance breaks, and different “chapters” in the show’s mood, keeping the energy fresh from start to finish.

By far, one of my favorite parts of the night was the section dedicated to solo and duet stages. Seok and Aito performed “House of Cards" by BTS, and with the dramatic purples and pinks in the lighting, the whole moment felt so cinematic. It matched their personalities perfectly - the calm colors, the emotional delivery, and the song’s orchestral intensity. Kenny and Nathan, the more extroverted members of the group, teamed up for “i’m so tired…” by Lauv and Troye Sivan. Somehow, their blended voices gave the song a whole new level of yearning.

Kenny’s solo stage was especially surprising. If you know him online, it’s probably for his dramatic personality - roasting fans, playfully arguing in comment sections, and constantly “beefing” with people over their shirts. It’s all love, but it’s earned him a reputation - and a very loyal fanbase. I actually discovered 1VERSE through his sarcastic TikTok replies, amused that this random K-pop group was interacting with fans in such an… unprofessional way. I stuck around out of curiosity, only to realize their music was right up my alley - and here we are now. Onstage, though, Kenny showed a completely different side of himself, delivering a soft, heartfelt cover of Ed Sheeran’s “The A Team” that highlighted just how versatile he is as a vocalist.

Nathan was perhaps the biggest surprise of the night for me. After the show, I was inspired to look up the members’ backstories, and learned that Nathan posted videos of him singing, playing guitar, and doing K-Pop dance covers on YouTube, already showing clear star potential. He was discovered by Singing Beetle, and the rest is history. Seeing him live confirmed it - he truly embodies the full package of singer, dancer, and performer. His voice is strong and steady, with a style that reminded me a bit of Shawn Mendes, perfectly suited for pop or rock across many genres. He covered Dominic Fike’s “Babydoll”, and it felt like the ideal fit for his tone and stage presence. I’m genuinely so excited to see his journey as a musician with 1VERSE.

1VERSE recently released their latest track, “WABIF (Wide Awake Before I Fall)”, and it immediately stood out upon hearing it live. The song blends reversed synths, drill-style drums, and heavy beat drops, leaving plenty of space for the members’ vocals to shine. I hadn’t heard the track before experiencing it live, and it caught my attention instantly. It felt like a step forward in their sound - a glimpse of what the group’s been working on. More than anything, it just made me incredibly hyped for what’s still to come.

As a full unit, 1VERSE also delivered several covers, proving how well they work together. They performed the song “Your Idol”, the villain track sung by the K-pop demon boy band in Kpop Demon Hunters. The group had actually dressed as the characters last Halloween, so stepping into those roles felt almost second nature. Vocals and rap parts were evenly split, and each member carried their weight with confidence - complete with sharp, synchronized choreography.

They also covered the song “LALALA” by Stray Kids, and within seconds, the crowd was screaming so loudly out of excitement you could barely hear the music. It was clear how passionate the group is about both the music and the performance, and their fans reflect the output. They didn’t just cover the songs - they made them their own, commanding the stage and fully owning every moment.

*1VERSE, Nathan & Kenny* (Source: Sydney Wright)

The show closed on a high note with “Multiverse”, an upbeat track with ’80s-inspired production and space-themed lyrics - perfectly in line with the group’s name. During the performance, the members leaned heavily into fan interaction, greeting the crowd, grabbing fans’ phones to film moments together, making hearts, and waving to every corner of the venue. It was such a sweet ending - but of course, they couldn’t leave without one final goodbye.

After the show, the “Hi Touch” began - and it’s exactly what it sounds like. The members made their way to the back of the venue near the exit and lined up, greeting fans as they passed through to exit the venue. One by one, 5TARS said their goodbyes, exchanging quick high fives before heading out for the night. It was a simple, heartfelt moment that made the send-off feel even more special.

*1VERSE & 5TARS* (Source: Sydney Wright)

I had an absolute blast at this show, and I’m beyond excited to see what 1VERSE does next. It’s crazy to see how strong they already are this early in their career, and even more exciting to imagine where they’ll be in the years to come. 1VERSE, thank you for such a wonderful night! NYC will be waiting for you… until next time! ♥️

A WEEKEND WITH 1VERSE; SHINING ACROSS NYC

SYDNEY WRIGHT

A WEEKEND WITH 1VERSE; SHINING ACROSS NYC

PEPERO DAY 2025 - THE TIMES SQUARE TAKEOVER

SYDNEY WRIGHT