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https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/north-korean-escapee-who-begged-on-the-streets-chases-k-pop-stardom-bc344958

North Korean Escapee Who Begged on the Streets Chases K-Pop Stardom

Music from the SB Boyz draws inspiration from hardships felt not in the Kim Jong Un regime but South Korea

SB Boyz members Yu Hyuk, in gray hoodie, and Kim Seok are both escapees from North Korea. Jean Chung for Wall Street Journal
By Jiyoung Sohn
 and Dasl Yoon

SEOUL—At first glance, Yu Hyuk looks like a typical K-pop rapper. He sports baggy pants, a black beanie and Air Jordans. A silver chain dangles from his neck.

But Yu represents a new wrinkle in South Korea’s music industry: The aspiring K-pop star is from North Korea. 

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Copyright ©2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright ©2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com.