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The resounding success of K-pop in America is not surprising, given the catchy beats, fantastic stage presence and impressive choreography–an achievement not possible without the hard work and dedication involved with becoming a K-pop performer, known as an ‘idol’. Starting out as trainees, entertainers in the K-pop industry work tirelessly–sometimes for years–for an opportunity to debut with a group. In addition to rigorous dance practice schedules, vocal lessons and performances, trainees are often completing school during this period and can start training as young as 13 years old. Once a group debuts, their dedication to the craft is supported and admired by their fans, also known as a ‘fandom’. Each group’s fandom will have a dedicated name to describe them–much like ‘Swifties’ to Taylor Swift–that will travel the globe for an opportunity to meet their favorite idols at ‘fan meets’, or to see their favorite groups perform on stage.
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The K-pop fandom culture is incredibly tight-knit with endless blogs, social pages and digital spaces set up for fans to gather and chat about their favorite groups. For a lot of fans, this community feels like a family, and frequently it is expressed that the music they listen to and the groups they love have saved their life, pulled them up from dark places and helped their mental health tremendously. This is one of the things that makes Big Ocean’s recent debut so impactful. As South Korea’s first K-pop group in history to feature members of the Deaf and hard of hearing community, Big Ocean is creating a space in K-pop for Deaf and hard of hearing fans to feel seen, heard and represented. With an Instagram following of almost one million people since their debut in April of 2024, the excitement of the fanbase is clear.
Recently, Big Ocean won a Special Hallyu Award at the 2024 NEWSIS K-Expo, an event sponsored by Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Seoul Metropolitan Council, Korea Creative Content Agency, and Seoul Tourism Organization. The Hallyu Award is presented to icons who have made outstanding contributions to Hallyu culture (aka the Korean Wave), a testament to Big Ocean’s global influence within the entertainment industry.
ABILITY Magazine’s Jennifer Woodall had the opportunity to ask Big Ocean about the success of their recent debut, their training schedule, and the innovative ways they work with music and choreography while having a cochlear implant.
Jennifer Woodall: Can you give me some information on each of your backgrounds before debut and how you came together to debut as Big Ocean?
Chanyeon: Before becoming an idol, I worked as an audiologist at Korea University Anam Hospital. There I met Troy Kotsur, an actor with a hearing impairment. His success in the entertainment industry inspired me to pursue a similar path. I learned about the Big Ocean project and felt it was the perfect opportunity to share my story and music.
Hyunjin: During my university years, I was a YouTuber, creating content about living with auditory challenges. Afterwards, I was cast in an EBS TV show, where I was introduced to model Kim Jong-wook. He led me to Parastar Entertainment, and I took on the challenge of becoming a K-pop idol.
Jiseok: I was an Alpine skier and a member of the Seoul Disabled Ski Association. Over time, I developed an interest in acting and the arts. I faced communication barriers in competitive skiing, which made me realize I wanted to pursue a career in entertainment. Joining Big Ocean gave me the chance to follow my passion.
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Woodall: With the success of your debut as Big Ocean and the popularity of some K-dramas like Twinkling Watermelon and Extraordinary Attorney Woo, do you feel like there has been a positive change in disability acceptance?
Hyunjin:The success of shows like Twinkling Watermelon and Extraordinary Attorney Woo has helped raise awareness and understanding of uniquely abled individuals. We hope that our debut and story contribute to this positive change too.
Woodall: I have seen an amazing response from your fans, especially those of the Deaf or hard of hearing community. Did you anticipate your debut having such a positive impact on people feeling seen and accepted?
Jiseok: We hoped that our debut would resonate with people, and we are genuinely humbled by the positive impact it has had. It is incredibly rewarding to see how our music and message have made people feel seen and accepted. We are grateful for the support from the Deaf and hard of hearing community and all our fans.
Woodall: Can you talk a bit about how you chose your group name Big Ocean?
Chanyeon: The name “Big Ocean” embodies our desire to spread hope and inspire everyone worldwide, much like the vastness of the ocean. We want to surprise the world with our potential and bring light and positivity through our music. The ocean also symbolizes a place where we can communicate comfortably and freely, much like how we use sign language.
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Woodall: Big Ocean’s debut date was on April 20th. Is there a significance to that particular date?
Hyunjin: Yes, our debut date on April 20th coincides with the Day of People with Disabilities in Korea. It was a meaningful choice to debut on this day, as it highlights our commitment to raising awareness and promoting acceptance of uniqueness.
Woodall: Something that our readers may not know about the K-Pop industry is that each group’s fans have a name that represents the whole fandom. Can you talk about your fandom name and what it means?
Jiseok: Our fandom name is “Pado,” a Korean word which means “wave” in English. “Pado” reflects our connection with our fans and our desire to create waves of positivity and inspiration together.
Woodall: Can you talk about the unique ways you work with music and choreography as users of a cochlear implant?
Chanyeon: Working with music and choreography as cochlear implant users has its challenges, but we’ve developed techniques to overcome them. We use visual cues, like flashing lights and hand signals, to keep the beat. Our company also created a metronome system that gives vibration signals through smartwatches, helping us stay in sync.
Hyunjin: Singing can be particularly difficult because it relies heavily on hearing and vocal muscles. We use pitch and tuning apps to help us stay on key and practice tirelessly to improve our skills.
Woodall: Performers in the K-Pop industry are notoriously hard working and dedicated to perfecting their performances. Can you give us an idea of what your typical day is like when you are practicing for an upcoming show?
Hyunjin:Our days are quite busy, especially when preparing for a show. We usually start with vocal training and dance practice in the morning. Throughout the day, we have various classes, including English and sign language. In the evenings, we review our choreography and practice until late at night. It’s intense, but we support each other and stay motivated.
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Woodall: If you are allowed to talk about it without spoilers, do you have any plans for an upcoming tour?
Jiseok: While we can’t reveal too much just yet, we are excited to share that our third single “SLOW” will be released on Sunday, August 11, 2024. The lyrics of “SLOW” convey a message of taking it slow, reminding everyone that we can still reach higher and go further by maintaining a steady pace.
Woodall: If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be?
Chanyeon: I would love to collaborate with Shotaro from RIIZE. His dance moves are incredible, and it would be an honor to work with him.
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Hyunjin: TXT’s Yeonjun has been my idol for a long time. If given the opportunity, I would love to shoot a challenge video with him.
Jiseok: I admire BTS’s RM greatly and would be thrilled to collaborate with him. His music and message have inspired me, and it would be a dream come true.
Woodall: You recently won the Special Hallyu Award at the 2024 NEWSIS K-Expo. Can you talk about that a bit?
Hyunjin: Winning the Special Hallyu Award at the 2024 NEWSIS K-Expo is such an incredible honor for us. We’ve always been motivated by the love and support of our fans, and this recognition shows that our message is reaching people all over the world. It truly inspires us to keep working hard.
Chanyeon: We are so grateful for this award and the opportunity to represent the Hallyu wave on such a global scale. This moment means so much to us, and we couldn’t have done it without our Pados. Their unwavering support is the reason we’re standing here today.
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Jiseok: It’s a humbling experience to be acknowledged with such a prestigious award. We started with the goal of showing that music has no boundaries, and winning the Special Hallyu Award reminds us that our journey is making a difference. We’ll continue to spread hope and positivity through our music.
Big Ocean: We’re [also] incredibly honored to be nominated for Billboard’s Rookie of the Month. This recognition means so much to us, and we’re truly grateful to our Pados for always standing by our side. We’re excited to continue growing and sharing this amazing journey with all of you.
Woodall: Is there anything else you would like to talk about that we haven’t covered yet?
Hyunjin: We just want to express our gratitude to all our fans (Pado) for their unwavering support and love. You inspire us to keep pushing forward and striving for excellence. We hope our music continues to bring you joy and positivity.
Chanyeon: Thank you (Pado) for being part of our journey. We look forward to meeting you in person one day and make more wonderful memories together.
Jiseok: Your (Pado’s) love and enthusiasm drive us to be better every day. We wouldn’t be here without you. Thank you for being part of our journey.
