Cover Meet Big Ocean, the world’s first K-pop group with hearing disabilities (Photo: Parastar Entertainment)
Meet Big Ocean, the world’s first K-pop group with hearing disabilities (Photo: Parastar Entertainment)
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This year, Big Ocean debuted as the world’s first K-pop boy band with hearing difficulties—and quickly won everyone’s heart with their music that spreads messages of inclusivity and hope
In April, the groundbreaking K-pop group Big Ocean made history by debuting as the first K-pop band composed entirely of members with hearing impairments. Signed under Parastar Entertainment, a Korean agency that trains artists with disabilities, this three-member rookie group is pushing boundaries in the K-pop idol industry and gaining worldwide recognition, with more than 480K followers on Instagram.
Recently, the trio released their second digital single Blow, an uplifting song perfect for the summer parties. The group is now holding a global audition project to recruit new members with hearing disabilities to further their mission of creating a more inclusive musical space.
Here, Tatler uncovers how Chanyeon, Hyunjin and Jiseok pursue their dreams despite the challenges.
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1. Meet Chanyeon, Hyunjin and Jiseok
Lee Chanyeon, 26, lost his hearing at 11 and received bilateral cochlear implants. As an audiologist at Korea University Anam Hospital, he had no interest in K-pop until he met the hospital’s ambassador and the Oscar-winning deaf actor Troy Kotsur. Kotsur’s success in the entertainment field inspired him to join the debut project.
Meanwhile, Park Hyunjin, 24, was a TV commercial model and a YouTuber under Parastar Entertainment before his boy band career took off. He wears hearing aids in his right ear and has a cochlear implant in another after he went deaf at a young age due to a high fever.
Kim Jiseok, 21, is the youngest member of the group. Born with hearing impairments, he was a former Alpine skier but later developed his passion for the arts and acting.
The trio trained for a year and a half together and officially debuted on 20 April, aligning with the National Day for the Disabled in Korea.
2. Big Ocean’s fandom is called ‘Pado’
The name Big Ocean conveys the group’s hope of spreading joyful and positive energy to everyone, like a vast and peaceful ocean. Their fandom name, Pado, which means “waves” in Korean, was voted by international fans through social media. The official fan colour is turquoise blue, in fitting with the marine themes.
3. Big Ocean uses technology to perfect their craft
Because of the different levels of hearing impairments, it is difficult for the members of Big Ocean to catch the pitch. They use a digital tuner to check the tone and implement AI voice technology to blend the audio well during song recording.
To synchronise their choreographies, the band follows the screens, which show flashlights on time. They also wear a smartwatch that sends vibration signals through a metronome system that their entertainment company created especially so that the boys can be in sync with the tempo of the music.
4. Big Ocean debuted with a single titled ‘Glow’
Big Ocean’s debut digital single Glow is a remake of the legendary K-pop group H.O.T’s single, Hope released in 1998. The band hopes its modern remake can motivate those who face obstacles and find hope in the support of their loved ones.
5. Big Ocean includes sign language in choreography
The members of Big Ocean had to learn various sign languages before their debut to show a “welcome” sign to hearing-impaired fans. Their first single, Glow, incorporated Korean Sign Language in performances to express lyrics such as “Let’s all hold hands and look up at the sky”. They then included American and International Sign Languages in their second single Blow.
