[Disabled Persons' Day] K-pop group BIG OCEAN hopes to break boundaries

"세상의 편견, 틀 깨뜨려버릴게요!" K팝 그룹 '빅오션'의 이야기
Tomorrow, April 20th is Disabled Persons' Day here in Korea.
Our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin spoke with a K-pop group debuting on that day, whose passion and commitment have already begun to inspire others.
"Attention, we are BIG OCEAN! Nice to meet you!"
The name "BIG OCEAN" reflects their desire to spread hope and positivity, like the feeling you get when gazing at the ocean.
All three members, Jiseok, Hyunjin, and Chanyeon have hearing impairments.
Jiseok was born with a disability, while Hyunjin and Chanyeon experienced partial hearing loss at a young age.
They can hear with the help of hearing aids and cochlear implants, but singing and dancing require a whole new level of perseverance and dedication.
"We all interpret the bounce, feeling, and beat of a song differently, so it was a bit chaotic at first. Trying to harmonize with each other was challenging, but we worked hard to find a way to blend our differences together."
"Since I have difficulty hearing, learning a new song from scratch is tough. So, I keep listening to it repeatedly to become more familiar with it. Even then, it can be a struggle to grasp the beat correctly and match the tone and volume of the other members. In those cases, our staff helps out."
After a year and a half of training, they're debuting with their single "Light," a remake of first-generation K-pop boy group H.O.T.'s song of the same title.
Their disabilities don't hinder their performances, thanks to cutting-edge technology like light and vibrating metronomes.
With these, mastering K-pop's synchronized, sophisticated dance moves is not a problem.
"We first converted the sound into a beat vibration through the smartwatch and also, we synced it to the flashing light so that they can see the screen and feel the music with the flashing lights.
In this way, they were able to feel the music more clearly and they later tried to come up with some grooves and bounces too."
What sets BIG OCEAN apart isn't just their historical debut as the first K-pop group where all members have hearing impairments.
They're also inspiring change.
"Even with cochlear implant surgery, keeping up with the rhythm and hitting the right pitch is challenging. I think BIG OCEAN's incredible efforts will prove that disabilities don't confine the realm of arts, especially singing."
That's exactly what BIG OCEAN hopes to do: show that music is for everyone, and passion knows no limits.
"We hope to inspire not only those with hearing impairments but also anyone with a disability.
We hope we can encourage them to chase their dreams without hesitation."
Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.
#Disabled_Persons_Day #Disability #Hearing_impairment #Kpop #BIGOCEAN #장애인의날 #장애 #청각_장애 #빅오션 #Arirang_News #아리랑뉴스
📣 Facebook : / arirangtvnews
📣 Twitter : / arirangtvnews
📣 Homepage : v2.arirang.com/
2024-04-19, 21:00 (KST)

[@lunatinyz]

So happy to see them debuting tomorrow! Making a movement for change!

[@Abi-cn6jl]

Are they on Spotify?

[@2320candy]

​@@Abi-cn6jlBig ocean , song Glow

[@Rupsha379]

FIGHTING BIG OCEAN 💙✊🌊

[@nyxbrilx]

These are the small steps that the world needs to overcome wrong ideas that we all have over people with different disabilities, often due to a lack of knowledge. I'm looking forward to their debut.

[@KaiBerries]

Let's go big ocean! I wish you a successful debut!

[@user-tg4pm4il5h]

Good luck to you all

[@chichi_mspanda]

I think no one can hate them this time they already have the hardest training ever just imagine every movement needs to be synchronized even though they can't hear the music clearly?you can really see their hardwork!!keep it up big ocean!!

[@bristolmari]

So happy for them! Can't wait to see their debut.

[@VincenzoHalim]

Semangattt Big Ocean🤗🌊!!! Best wishes from Indonesia🇮🇩💙

[@EmmaJuiett2012]

wow so inspiring!! wish them success in everything they do!

[@justarandomperson331]

thats so cool! i dont have a hearing impairement but i am disabled and unsderstand the importance of representation and how lovely it is to see people with your disability. so happy for these boys and the people who will be able to look up to them and feel represented by them. hope to see more things like this in the future!!

[@Mahima006]

Let's goo I'm so excited💕💕🤩🤩🥳🥳

[@alexaa7200]

They are so talented, their debut was awesome!!!! 🩷

[@luzindaausi9412]

Really.....great to hear that it all went to well

[@fanticia]

Wish them a fantastic debut ❤❤❤ a lot of fans ❤❤❤ boys you will nail it 🕺💃🕺 support from Austria 🇦🇹

[@IamSweetCharlotte]

This is what Korea needs...Big ocean , fighting!!!!

[@Gay-ef3si]

매우 감동적인 이야기

[@nathaliatoth8744]

Awesome, best of luck !❤❤❤ 🎉🎉🎉 Love from Sweden 🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪

[@roudeinaachour9421]

Good luck big ocean wish you all the best

[@angelacurtis4456]

Good luck Big Ocean. Greetings from America 🇺🇸🩵🫰

[@Sugas_Girr]

I really hope they do sooo well!!! 🥰 Big Ocean, Fighting!!! ❤❤❤

[@frenchiedekent8572]

At last, I always thought singing & dancing goes so well with sing language. ❤👌❤🙏❤

[@gwenm6582]

Wishing you all every success!!! ❤❤❤

[@ShelleyM007]

💫🌟💐Hwaiting💪🏻👏🏻🙌🏻🎵🎤🕺🏻🕺🏻🕺🏻! Best of luck.

[@cricketiiella]

so proud of them!

[@that_sam_94]

Big Ocean fighting

[@Forever.staytinycarat.armygene]

AHH IM SO HAPPY AND PROUD OF THEM ‼️ I love them sm and Ik they’re gonna do great, FIGHTING 🙏🩵

[@gwenmloveskpopandmore]

Congratulations on ur debut guys 👏🙌

[@MoMo-ug7fq]

I wish you all the best in your career much love from uk 🫶

[@MahimaVikram]

Good luck 🤞🏻

[@pengu6344]

What they stand for and what there achieving is truely remarkable. I havent liked a Kpop group since BTS, so im glad i can get back into this music! Ill support them, and i hope they succeed!! 🌊🌊😌

[@VintageCardinal]

Wow! These guys are AMAZING!

[@applepatronum4934]

This is so cool!

[@Peace-ii9ov]

Very Proud of South Korea 🫶👏👏👏👏👏

[@CN_22]

I'm happy for BIG OCEAN & wish them the best 👍🏾🔥

[@silenthillenjoyer]

support from france!!!!

[@dawnkrueger9168]

This is just the most phenomenal thing I have ever seen!. Congratulations to you! I pray every effort is rewarded with incredible blessings for you! Excited to experience your vibe!!❤ (you should call your fan base "Waves") 😊

[@rmo4590]

This is really amazing, especially for the member who was born hearing impaired. I have a relative who was also born hearing impaired, where learning to speak/enunciate words was challenging for him and sometimes still is. The way these guys speak fluently is amazing, let alone dance and sing on top of that!! You do not realize how much as a human being we rely on sound for balance/spatial awareness, until I saw how much extra effort my relative puts in to be aware/safe in his daily life!!! They really went above and beyond, I am so glad they were supported by their families and the company to be able to flourish. Thank you for being! I am so encouraged to see a change in attitude and support towards people with disabilities

[@heyimhappytoo]

The members are so lovely! Great to see their debut~

[@ellie_jeann]

You guys go break those boundaries 💪🏽

[@user-bh7ov3qp4v]

👍

[@angelas888]

This awesome! So happy for them 😊wishing them the best!❤❤❤

[@loridrake9682]

Congratulations Big O!cean on your debut ! Already bought their song Glow and luv it! Much respect and love I’m sending to you three! ❤❤❤

[@lianrodri]

❤❤❤

[@Cloudsandcurls1303]

Wishing them success for their debut!

[@americano_stain]

I watched them on show! music core, they’re so talented 🤍🍀 I wish all the best for Big Ocean 🌊

[@benedictesurply1586]

🩵 Meilleurs vœux de réussite à BIG OCEAN 🩵

[@RisseRap]

Amazing! Can’t wait to experience their music!

[@2320candy]

My dear boys you are already Superstars to put all your effort to make your debut. CONGRATULATIONS and Fighting🇲🇽🇲🇽

[@dorjeethungon6464]

🙏🏻👏🏻👏🏻wowww

[@dorjeethungon6464]

❤

[@msswart9119]

I will be following their endeavours with great interest ❤

[@zhangkkum]

화이팅 !!

[@ola1575]

Fighting! We love you!!!

[@tanettec214]

This is so inspiring. Looking forward to seeing them.

[@dmorales1064]

This makes me so happy! I wish them much success on their debut. Hoping to see more of them in the future! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@user-em1vw8to8g]

This got me crying I'm glad they made it so proud of them ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤.

[@ellic4685]

ahhhhhh they are so cute and I'm so proud of them!

[@msswart9119]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@vwvw6473]

omgg!🥹 I'm hard of hearing myself and use hearing aids, but i've never had a chance to find anyone with same disability among my peers or see some kind of representation in the media, so I often felt isolated and lonely. And now seeing idols just like me debuting and telling their stories is just so validating, comforting and inspiring!! Thank you, BIG OCEAN, you all are my heroes. 화이팅! 🤍

[@K.p.o.p.4.ever.s.k.z]

Who else watched their live today 😂😂

[@teresamonholland3414]

I did so excited for them

[@ligayamatira2293]

Very insipring story

[@Bwbbi]

how much is ji seok about to hear?

[@PeristalsisActivate]

Big Ocean looks like they are throw9ng up the triple 6 with thier hands

[@xdinarystarlost]

I wish the best for them only 🥹❤️