Photo creds to 1VERSE and Singing Beetle.
After nearly eight months, rising K-Pop group 1VERSE (pronounced “universe”) have come back with a new single album titled, ‘LOOP’. The track features an up-tempo electric pop glitch tone, reminiscent of the sounds commonly heard in an arcade room. This release comes after the group’s first world tour and features members KENNY, NATHAN and AITO.
‘LOOP’ was inspired by the familiar rush of a claw machine: the feeling that ‘this time, I might actually get it,’ only to find yourself saying ‘just one more try’ again and again,” said Singing Beetle CEO Michelle Cho. “What begins as simple curiosity and a small sense of anticipation becomes harder to walk away from with every failed attempt.”
AITO of 1VERSE. Photo credits to 1VERSE and Singing Beetle.
The production mirrors a sense of repetition. Arcade-inspired electronic sounds and a track progression that builds tension like the soundtrack to a video game create the feeling of jumping into the next attempt before the last one has ended.
1VERSE Member NATHAN said, “When I think of ‘LOOP’, I think of going to an arcade and playing claw machines. When you lose, you can’t help but keep trying until you get it; you don’t want to give in to it but ironically you are.”
NATHAN of 1VERSE. Photo credits to 1VERSE and Singing Beetle.
As in their previous bodies of work, the members of 1VERSE took part in writing and composing the track. Adrian McKinnon, who has worked with some of the biggest names in K-Pop such as EXO, SHINee and NCT 127, reunited with 1VERSE members on this track. Along with McKinnon is producer Skylar Mones, who has credits on Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia; visual director Normal Logic; choreographer Team SAME; and performance director CANO. Members KENNY, NATHAN, AITO and SEOK also have songwriting credits on the track.
“One of the reasons why this song was made was because I had insecurities about my masculinity due to not being good at claw machines…and told everyone at the session like it was a therapy session,” added 1VERSE member KENNY. “So I studied how to play the claw machine with a professional arcade-goer.”
KENNY of 1VERSE. Photo credits to 1VERSE and Singing Beetle.
On August 29, the group were invited to perform at Gamescon in Cologne as the first K-Pop group, and then the following evening played Asian Revolution in Mainz, Germany.
This comeback follows an August 20 teaser that drew a strong response from 5TARZ, the group’s fandom. ‘LOOP’ is now out on all major streaming platforms. More information will be announced at a later date through 1VERSE’s official social platforms.