Big Ocean, a vibrant K-Pop boy band composed of deaf and hard-of-hearing members, is rapidly making a name for itself in the music industry by combining singing, rapping, and the expressive use of sign language. Comprised of Lee Chan-yeon, Park Hyun-jin, and Kim Ji-seok, this trailblazing group is not only captivating audiences but also breaking down barriers that often isolate the deaf community.
Employing cutting-edge audio technology, the members synchronize their choreography with flashing metronomes and vibrating devices, allowing them to create and perform music in innovative ways. As Lee expressed, “Korean Sign Language (KSL) is integral to our performances, much like divers rely on signs for communication beneath the waves.”
The band made a noteworthy debut with their single "Glow," which released coincidentally on Korea’s Day of People with Disabilities, marking an empowering moment. Their subsequent single, "Blow," which incorporates both English lyrics and American Sign Language, has further expanded their reach.
Their rise to stardom was punctuated by accolades such as being named Billboard's rookies of the month and featured on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia Entertainment & Sports List. Recently, they have also showcased their talent on international stages, including anime festivals in Brazil and UN tech events in Switzerland. The band is gearing up for a much-anticipated tour across Europe and their first tour in the United States, starting this July.
With nearly a million followers on Instagram and over 696,000 on TikTok, Big Ocean's fan base, affectionately referred to as “Pados” (meaning waves in Korean), is not just growing in numbers – it's also becoming more engaged with the arts. Many fans are actively learning sign language, thanks to the tutorials shared by the band, which reflects a shared commitment to promoting inclusivity and understanding.
In a world increasingly craving diversity, Big Ocean stands out, illustrating how music transcends traditional barriers and spreads unity through shared language and expression.
Employing cutting-edge audio technology, the members synchronize their choreography with flashing metronomes and vibrating devices, allowing them to create and perform music in innovative ways. As Lee expressed, “Korean Sign Language (KSL) is integral to our performances, much like divers rely on signs for communication beneath the waves.”
The band made a noteworthy debut with their single "Glow," which released coincidentally on Korea’s Day of People with Disabilities, marking an empowering moment. Their subsequent single, "Blow," which incorporates both English lyrics and American Sign Language, has further expanded their reach.
Their rise to stardom was punctuated by accolades such as being named Billboard's rookies of the month and featured on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia Entertainment & Sports List. Recently, they have also showcased their talent on international stages, including anime festivals in Brazil and UN tech events in Switzerland. The band is gearing up for a much-anticipated tour across Europe and their first tour in the United States, starting this July.
With nearly a million followers on Instagram and over 696,000 on TikTok, Big Ocean's fan base, affectionately referred to as “Pados” (meaning waves in Korean), is not just growing in numbers – it's also becoming more engaged with the arts. Many fans are actively learning sign language, thanks to the tutorials shared by the band, which reflects a shared commitment to promoting inclusivity and understanding.
In a world increasingly craving diversity, Big Ocean stands out, illustrating how music transcends traditional barriers and spreads unity through shared language and expression.
