Big Ocean Makes Waves in the K-Pop Industry as the First Hard-of-Hearing Idol Group

The idol profession comes with various responsibilities that require musicians to have a healthy body and mind. However, the industry is increasingly accepting of health problems that trainees and idols may have.

For instance, a previous post highlights idols diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by executive dysfunction, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation. Although ADHD can significantly hinder focus and concentration, idols like Aespa's Ningning and former 9MUSES member Ryu Sera have been open about how they cope with their struggles and have also encouraged those with the same condition to get appropriate care and treatment.

The increasing acceptance of health concerns and disabilities can also be observed in the debut of the trio Big Ocean, the first K-pop idol group with members who are deaf or have hearing impairments. Below, we look at how Big Ocean is making waves in the industry by embracing their disabilities and contributing to the diverse representation of the hard-of-hearing population.

Big Ocean's debut under Parastar Entertainment

On April 20, celebrated as Korea's Day of People with Disabilities, Big Ocean debuted with Kim Ji-seok, Park Hyun-jin, and Lee Chan-yeon. Considered the first K-pop group with deaf members, Big Ocean's lead dancer Kim was born with a hearing impairment and wears a hearing aid since he can only hear with his right ear.

Meanwhile, the other two members, Park and Lee, lost their hearing at the ages of 3 and 11, respectively. Park has a cochlear implant that electronically recreates sound in his left ear, while Lee had cochlear implant surgery on both ears.

Big Ocean members, who are all in their 20s, debuted under Parastar Entertainment, an entertainment agency in Korea specializing in recruiting people with disabilities who are talented in various fields of arts and entertainment, such as music, theater, and television. For their debut, the group remade H.O.T.'s hit track "Glow," with all three members singing and performing a choreography that incorporates Korean, American, and international sign languages.

How innovative solutions help deaf performers

Continuous innovation in hearing solutions and assistive technology helps deaf musicians and performers address their unique needs and ultimately thrive in their careers. For instance, the hard-of-hearing members of Big Ocean wear vibrating smartwatches specifically designed for hearing loss. During rehearsals and performances, these smart devices are complemented by flashlight metronomes to serve as visual cues.

Big Ocean's debut is also made possible by advancements in artificial intelligence technologies used in music recording and production. While deaf individuals may struggle with singing in the correct pitch and rhythm, Korean music production companies Muble and Samsong E&M used voice conversion technology to transform the members' voices into high-quality AI models.

The increased adoption of innovative hearing solutions can also be observed outside the K-pop industry, starting with hearing glasses that combine audio clarity and vision correction. While the Big Ocean members use hearing aids and cochlear implants, Nuance's all-in-one vision and hearing solutions are less bulky and more wearable through timeless frame styles. These hearing glasses are also equipped with a proprietary beamforming technology for low-latency response and improved listening.

Not Impossible Labs, an organization and content studio that uses technology to address disability access, has also released a vibrating haptic suit to enable deaf individuals to enjoy live music. Beyond simply replicating the music, the suit has 24 actuators or vibrating plates to play waves of tactile sensation on the wearer's skin.

Big Ocean's releases and activities

After debuting with a digital single, Big Ocean went on to release their single "Blow" in May and "Slow," which featured DAY 6's Young K, in August.

Outside of music, the group has also been active in promoting the representation of people with disabilities in sports, media, and the broader society. In light of the recent Paralympic finals, Big Ocean hosted a viewing party for the powerlifting, judo, and wheelchair basketball events.

The group also looks forward to reaching new audiences and spreading positive vibes through their music and performances.