Meet a North Korean defector and idol hopeful

For the first time ever, a former North Korean is attempting to become an entertainment sensation through a televised reality survival program. Meet Kim Hak Sung, who defected when he was just 14 years old. He’s currently on KBS2's Make Mate 1.

 

He revealed his story to the judges and cast and crew, explaining why he’s pursuing the path of an idol. "My biggest concern was how to adjust to this new society. I watched a lot of TV to learn about the culture here,” he said. “I saw idols on TV, and they were so cool that I dreamt of becoming like them. I felt uncomfortable about sharing my background with people, but I felt like if I didn't talk about it here, then I would never confront it and just keep running from it, so I decided to open up to grow stronger."

Make Mate 1 has 35 contestants from around the globe, but Kim Hak Sung may be the most unique.