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Whenever a K-pop group debuts, it is the result of years of practice and dedication paid to perfecting the art of performance.
But when Big Ocean came onto the scene this past spring, it also marked a groundbreaking moment for the K-pop industry.
Debuting on April 20, which is known as Korea’s Day of Disabilities, Big Ocean is the first hard-of-hearing K-pop idol group.
The three members of the band—composed of rapper Chanyeon, main vocalist Hyunjin, and dancer Jiseok—each have a hearing disability, though are not fully deaf. Like all K-pop groups, the trio sing, dance and rap. But in addition to performing in Korean and English, the band incorporates Korean, American and International sign languages into its performances.
Speaking over email with The RepresentASIAN Project, the group says the name Big Ocean embodies the band’s desire to “surprise the world with its potential as vast as the ocean.” Through their songs and performances, their goal is to spread positive influence around the world.
The members say their debut song “Glow”, a cheerful remake of the track “Hope” by K-pop veterans H.O.T., is an encouraging message to fans that they “are not alone”, and together they can make the world a “better place.”
“Our journey so far has been possible due to so many people’s love and dedication,” the band said. “There were so many teachers, coaches, staff members and most of all love from you all, our fans. So [we] think ‘Glow’ is the perfect fit for our debut song.”
Forming Big Ocean
Before becoming K-pop idols, each member of Big Ocean had different plans for themselves.
Jiseok initially competed as an alpine skier, but gradually became more interested in acting and the arts. During his university years, Hyunjin was a YouTuber who made videos about the misconceptions faced by people with hearing impairments.
Meanwhile, Chanyeon was an audiologist working at the Korea University Anam Hospital and had no ambitions in being a K-pop artist. However, things changed after he was invited to speak with Academy Award-winning actor Troy Kotsur during a visit to Seoul. Kotsur, who is the first male deaf actor to win an acting Oscar, was appointed as the promotional ambassador for the World Federation of the Deaf in 2022.
“It was a very memorable moment gaining insight that even with hearing loss, one can shine so bright in [the] entertainment sector,” Chanyeon says about meeting Kotsur.
Despite initially pursuing different paths, Jiseok, Hyunjin and Chanyeon found themselves joining Parastar Entertainment, a management company that specializes in working with people with disabilities in the entertainment industry. From there, the trio spent a year and a half training to sing, dance, rap and act, while also taking English and different sign language courses. Together, they formed Big Ocean.
The group says their debut would not have been a success without the help of Parastar.
“Our staff, including our CEO, suggested higher standards that match [the] K-pop industry,” Hyunjin said.
“Even now, we are lagging in many things from dancing, rapping and singing. But Parastar keeps letting us know the reality and tries to push us and go further to achieve the goal. [We] are so grateful there were people believing in us and not giving up on us.”
Perfecting performances
As a hard-of-hearing group, one of the obstacles the band faces is getting “the timing right” when performing songs and choreography. As a result, Big Ocean has had to make adaptations by utilizing technology and different visual cues.
In order to keep the beat of the song, the band rely on flashing lights displayed on screens to help with timing during performances. And to keep the tempo of the tracks they sing, the members use vibrating smartwatches to form a type of metronome system.
Through incorporating these adjustments, Big Ocean were able to have a successful first live performance on the South Korean music television program Music Core—an experience the band describes as “exhilarating and amazing.”
Hyunjin, who worried about not being able to wear in-ear monitors during the performance, was particularly concerned he would not be able to hear the beat of the song. But he says the enthusiasm and support from the audience helped him push through.
“It was a happy moment to be able to show our stage in front of many people, and I was grateful to see them trying to show us the beat by waving their hand to the music.”
Big Ocean makes waves around the world
Since its debut, Big Ocean has been garnering attention across the world, even getting a shout-out from Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organization’s Director General.
“I salute you for breaking barriers and the stigma of disabilities,” Ghebreyesus wrote on social media. “I hope your music will bring hope and inspiration to many others. Wish you a successful road ahead.”
Jiseok says getting recognized by WHO’s Director General was amplified even further by the support of Big Ocean’s fandom, Pado, which means “wave” in Korean.
“When we see our [fans] coming to social media to encourage us, every second moment with Pado turns out to be so meaningful,” he said.
But despite all the hard work that it took to debut, Big Ocean acknowledges more work needs to be done to make the K-pop industry a more inclusive space.
“Many are saying that the debut of Big Ocean is a milestone that can change the course of K-pop when it comes to inclusivity and diversity,” Chanyeon said.
“We are so happy that our difficult debut also had extra meaning other than our own achievement.”
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