Big Ocean
First hard of hearing South Korean boy band.
Big Ocean is a South Korean boy band formed under Parastar Entertainment, recognized as the first hard of hearing group in the country. The trio debuted on April 20, 2024, with the single "Glow," aligning with the Day of Persons with Disabilities in South Korea. Their music, which integrates choreography, vocals, and sign language, has been noted for raising awareness of Deaf culture.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Seoul, South Korea
- Genre
- K-pop
- Years active
- 2024–present
- Label
- Parastar
- Spinoffs
- Big Ocean JJ
- Current members
- Lee Chan-yeon (이찬연)
- PJ (피제이)
- Kim Ji-seok (김지석)
Facts from the source article.
History
Big Ocean originated from Parastar Entertainment, the first Korean agency dedicated to artists with disabilities, which initially trained seven trainees under the S-Boyz project. Four members left before the group debuted as Big Ocean. The three remaining members are Lee Chan-yeon (born March 27, 1998), Park Hyun-jin (born October 24, 1999, stage name PJ), and Kim Ji-seok (born March 5, 2003). Each has varying degrees of hearing loss: Ji-seok was born with a hearing impairment, PJ lost hearing at age three from a fever, and Chan-yeon experienced hearing loss at eleven due to a fever. Chan-yeon received cochlear implants in both ears, PJ has one implant and a hearing aid, and Ji-seok uses hearing aids. Chan-yeon developed an interest in music during rehabilitation after his implant surgery. Ji-seok became familiar with K-pop after BTS leader RM donated to a music program at Seoul Samsung School, which Ji-seok attended. Before debuting, all three held full-time jobs: Chan-yeon worked as an audiologist, PJ was a TV personality and YouTuber, and Ji-seok was a professional alpine skier. Chan-yeon also modeled for Parastar Entertainment. Ji-seok was often advised to pursue physical or technical jobs due to his disability, which he saw as a hurtful stereotype. PJ had planned to enter cybersecurity with his engineering degree.
Reception and impact
Jeonghwan Kim, president of the Seoul Association of the Deaf, stated that many Deaf youth view Big Ocean's onstage presence as powerful representation, broadening public perception of artistic expression beyond sound. Deaf author and journalist Liam O'Dell noted that the group counters the misconception that Deaf and hard-of-hearing people cannot make or enjoy music. Chan-yeon shared that fans overcoming cancer, school bullying, or personal hardships have drawn inspiration from the group, with one fan saying, "You're proof that something that seems impossible can actually happen." Many fans learn signs from Big Ocean's tutorials for their songs. The members have expressed openness to adding new hard-of-hearing members, including foreign ones, to continue breaking barriers.
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