In brief
Big Ocean is making waves in the K-Pop world with their innovative approach to music. With all members being deaf or hard of hearing, they creatively use Korean Sign Language (KSL) in performances while leveraging cutting-edge audio technology. Their debut single, “Glow,” launched on Korea’s Day of People with Disabilities, received international attention. Following their Billboard recognition, they've been performing worldwide, amassing a loyal fanbase eager to learn sign language.
Their recent performances include major events, and they are set for their first U.S. tour soon.Big Ocean, a boy band composed of deaf or hard of hearing members, is making a remarkable impact on the K-Pop scene. The trio—Lee Chan-yeon, Park Hyun-jin, and Kim Ji-seok—has combined music and sign language to create an experience that resonates beyond sound. Utilizing advanced technology like vibrating watches and flashing metronomes, they craft choreography that incorporates Korean Sign Language (KSL). Their breakthrough came with their debut single “Glow,” which was released on Korea's Day of People with Disabilities and featured their first televised performance integrating KSL. This innovative approach garnered them a spot on Billboard's rookies of the month and made the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Entertainment & Sports List. This month, Big Ocean has made thrilling appearances at an anime festival in Brazil and a United Nations tech event in Switzerland. With an impressive social media following—over 995,000 on Instagram and 696,000 on TikTok—their fans, nicknamed “Pados” (meaning waves in Korean), are actively learning KSL, thanks to the band’s detailed tutorials. They are set to embark on their first American tour in late July, promising an unforgettable experience for fans across the globe.
