Big Ocean, a groundbreaking K-Pop boy band comprised of deaf and hard of hearing members, is redefining the music scene with their innovative blend of singing and signing. Their unique approach and rising popularity highlight the growing appreciation for diversity and inclusivity in entertainment.
Breaking Barriers: Big Ocean’s K-Pop Revolution Through Sign Language
Breaking Barriers: Big Ocean’s K-Pop Revolution Through Sign Language
The deaf K-Pop boy band Big Ocean is making history by combining music with Korean Sign Language, captivating fans globally.
Big Ocean, the latest K-Pop phenomenon, is making remarkable strides in the music industry by utilizing a combination of singing and sign language. Comprised of three members—Lee Chan-yeon, 27, Park Hyun-jin, 25, and Kim Ji-seok, 22—this boy band is entirely deaf or hard of hearing, showcasing a talent that sets them apart from other K-Pop groups. Leveraging advanced audio technology, they create their music, synchronize choreographies through illuminated metronomes, and incorporate Korean Sign Language (KSL) into their performances.
“We express emotions through sign language as divers do under the sea, where sound cannot be heard,” stated Lee Chan-yeon. KSL has become fundamental to their work, as they aim to bridge communication gaps and convey deeper meanings through their artistry. The band debuted with their single "Glow" on Korea’s Day of People with Disabilities and quickly gained traction, especially after their first televised performance incorporating KSL.
Following the success of their debut, Big Ocean released their subsequent single, "Blow," focusing on English lyrics complemented by American Sign Language. The group's efforts have not gone unnoticed; they were recognized as Billboard's rookies of the month and made it onto Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia in the Entertainment & Sports category.
In recent months, Big Ocean has performed at diverse venues ranging from an anime festival in Brazil to a tech event at the United Nations in Switzerland. Their growing fanbase, dubbed “Pados”—meaning “waves” in Korean—has accumulated nearly a million followers on Instagram and over 696,000 on TikTok. Many fans are now inspired to learn sign language through various tutorials offered by the band.
As they embark on their inaugural American tour later this month, Big Ocean continues to pave the way for inclusivity and representation in music, showing that barriers can indeed be broken through innovation and creativity.
“We express emotions through sign language as divers do under the sea, where sound cannot be heard,” stated Lee Chan-yeon. KSL has become fundamental to their work, as they aim to bridge communication gaps and convey deeper meanings through their artistry. The band debuted with their single "Glow" on Korea’s Day of People with Disabilities and quickly gained traction, especially after their first televised performance incorporating KSL.
Following the success of their debut, Big Ocean released their subsequent single, "Blow," focusing on English lyrics complemented by American Sign Language. The group's efforts have not gone unnoticed; they were recognized as Billboard's rookies of the month and made it onto Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia in the Entertainment & Sports category.
In recent months, Big Ocean has performed at diverse venues ranging from an anime festival in Brazil to a tech event at the United Nations in Switzerland. Their growing fanbase, dubbed “Pados”—meaning “waves” in Korean—has accumulated nearly a million followers on Instagram and over 696,000 on TikTok. Many fans are now inspired to learn sign language through various tutorials offered by the band.
As they embark on their inaugural American tour later this month, Big Ocean continues to pave the way for inclusivity and representation in music, showing that barriers can indeed be broken through innovation and creativity.
