Hard-of-hearing artists have always faced challenges in the music industry, but their contributions are invaluable and deserve support. While traditionally music has been primarily auditory, advancements in technology and shifts in attitudes are enabling greater inclusivity. Supporting deaf musicians is not only about providing equal opportunities but also recognising the diversity of talent and perspectives they bring to the table. Now, with Big Ocean‘s debut as the first K-pop group with hearing loss, the spotlight is on the importance of inclusivity in the genre. K-pop, known for its vibrant visuals, intense choreography, and diverse range of talents, has the potential to lead the way in embracing artists of all backgrounds and abilities.

The genesis of Big Ocean and their ascent to becoming K-pop’s first group of members with hearing loss stems from a shared passion for music and a resolute desire to shatter barriers within the industry. Transitioning from performing covers to releasing their debut single, GLOW, a reimagined version of H.O.T’s GLOW, the group showed that they can achieve great things.

Navigating the difficulties of choreography has always posed a challenge for Big Ocean. Yet, through their hard work and immense team support, they quickly improved their synchronicity in their performances. Embracing a myriad of technological aids, from vibrating smartwatches to flashing light signals, Big Ocean bring hope to those who dream of becoming artists. We recently spoke exclusively to the group about their extraordinary journey and discussed the incredible impact of their pioneering spirit on the K-pop industry and beyond.

View of the Arts: Can you share the inspiration behind forming Big Ocean and becoming K-Pop’s first group of members with hard of hearing? How did you guys meet?

Big Ocean: The inspiration behind forming Big Ocean and becoming K-Pop’s first group of members with hard of hearing stems from our shared passion for music and the desire to break barriers in the industry. We met through auditions held by our agency, Parastar Entertainment. We didn’t know each other before the beginning of the Big Ocean idol project.

View of the Arts: You previously did covers of well-known K-pop songs; however, you have now released your debut digital single called GLOW. What was the creative process like?

Big Ocean: Transitioning from doing covers to releasing our debut single GLOW was an exciting creative process. We wanted to pay homage to the legendary K-pop group H.O.T. while bringing our style and message into the song by adding rap made out of our own stories. Also, we tried to put Korean sign language as the main part of the song so that hard-of-hearing fans who were isolated from the music industry could also enjoy our song. Plus, collaborating with producers and songwriters allowed us to shape the track to reflect our journey and dreams as a group.

View of the Arts: In general, how do you manage to execute choreography despite your hard of hearing?

Big Ocean: We all have different hearing abilities, which means that our reflexes and reactions toward the same sound are also different. This made it harder for us to get our dance in sync, but we knew that we couldn’t — and shouldn’t — use our impairments as an excuse when it comes to dancing. We asked everyone at the agency for every little detail and just practised and practised until we shoved all the moves into every cell of our body. Also, there were visual cues and vibrations systematically prepared by our company. We used smartwatches that vibrate to the beat and big screen monitors that flashlight every eight beats. There are various versions of each assistive device, and the company also developed a system to sync music with vibration and flashing light signals.

View of the Arts: Could you explain the methods you use for practising singing and dancing as a group?

Big Ocean: Practising singing and dancing as a group involves using visual aids, sign language, and facial expressions to convey instructions and suggestions. We also utilise vibration devices and flashing lights to stay in sync with the rhythm and tempo of the music during rehearsals.

View of the Arts: What challenges do you face in timing and synchronisation during performances, and how do you overcome them?

Big Ocean: Challenges in timing and synchronisation during performances are overcome through extensive rehearsal and communication among group members. We develop a strong sense of trust and teamwork, allowing us to adapt quickly to any changes or deviations during live performances.

View of the Arts: Can you describe the technology and tools you utilise to assist in singing and recording songs?

Big Ocean: Aside from vibrating/light metronomes, we use a “tuner” application on mobile phones that shows the sound’s note and pitch level because we can’t notice the pitch of our own voice by hearing. Also, staff give feedback on whether we are making the right tone of voice or not as well as the right beats. In most cases, staff try very hard to express the rhythm and bounces of music through the gestures in very creative ways.

View of the Arts: How do you work with directors and staff during music video shoots?

Big Ocean: During music video shoots, we work closely with directors and staff to ensure that our vision and message are effectively conveyed. Also, staff try to stay silent as much as possible so that we can hear voices and commands [from a director and people who have to communicate with us].

View of the Arts: Could you elaborate on how lip-reading plays a role in your communication and understanding of instructions?

Big Ocean: Lip-reading plays a crucial role in our communication and understanding of instructions during rehearsals and performances. There were many times when non-disabled people might feel silent but not for the members, for instance in a café or outside. Even in this situation, nobody is making a speech, sounds from the car, radio, etc can all come in at once and get in the way of us from hearing voices. So, we rely on lip-reading combined with sign language and written communication to ensure clear and effective communication with directors and staff.

View of the Arts: How do you ensure everyone stays in sync despite having different hearing levels?

Big Ocean: To ensure everyone stays in sync despite different hearing levels, we use a combination of visual cues, tactile feedback, and muscle memory during rehearsals and performances. Clear communication and mutual trust among group members are also essential in maintaining synchronisation.

View of the Arts: What techniques do you employ to feel the rhythm and tempo of the music?

Big Ocean: Techniques such as feeling the vibrations of the music through the floor, observing the movements of other members, and internalising the rhythm through muscle memory help us feel the rhythm and tempo of the music during performances. We have been using various smartwatches that give vibration along with the managed BPM and even bought some professional music metronome smartwatches. We did try every single device to find what suits us the best. Meanwhile, a flashing light video was produced and uploaded to the big monitor so that we could see the beat through visual signals.

View of the Arts: What kind of support do you receive from staff members during rehearsals and performances?

Big Ocean: We receive great support from staff members during rehearsals and performances. In some cases, staff stand in front of the stage to give clapping signals or install a visual metronome for us. Our company signed an MOU [A memorandum of understanding] with an IT solution company that provides light shows using mobile phones or audiences, which could be used as our light metronome for us. Also, staff learned simple sign language to give quick notes when it’s needed at the last minute of a hectic moment before the performance.

View of the Arts: How has the reaction been from fans and the public since your debut?

Big Ocean: Since our debut, the reaction from fans and the public has been overwhelmingly positive. WHO secretary-general posted an encouraging message to Big Ocean through his personal X account and WHO retweeted the posting. The International Labour Organization also introduced our case at their official workshop as a good example of job training for the disabled. In addition, there were so many positive messages from the social media account. For instance, we had 75K followers on one of our social media accounts, but after the debut, it grew to 227K within a week.

View of the Arts: What message do you hope to convey through your music and performances?

Big Ocean: Through our music and performances, we hope to bring messages of resilience, unity, and inclusivity. We aim to break stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding hearing impairment and inspire others to embrace their differences and pursue their dreams.

View of the Arts: Have you encountered any misconceptions or challenges as a group with hearing loss in the K-Pop industry?

Big Ocean: As a group with hearing loss in the K-Pop industry, we have encountered misconceptions and challenges, but they are all rooted in people not having experiences of meeting people with hearing loss. So, we feel like as we debuted and entered the industry, many things will change very soon.

View of the Arts: Are there any specific artists or groups that inspire you in your musical journey?

Big Ocean: Artists and groups such as BTS, EXO, and BoA inspired us [the most]. Their groundbreaking achievements, dedication to their craft, and commitment to making a positive impact on society, [is incredible]. Especially RM from BTS, who once donated to the school where Jiseok was attending. He had a very meaningful impact as he inspired him to later pursue his idol dream.

View of the Arts: How do you stay motivated and focused despite facing obstacles along the way?

Big Ocean: We stay motivated and focused by reminding ourselves of our passion for music and the impact we can make as role models for aspiring musicians and individuals with disabilities. Our supportive fans and our love for what we do also encourage us to overcome obstacles and achieve our goals. Many fans share the same disability as we have, or are parents of hard-of-hearing children. We know that our success or failure would definitely impact these people. So we have a great responsibility to do our best.

View of the Arts: Is there anything you would like to say to aspiring musicians or individuals with disabilities who look up to you as role models?

Big Ocean: To aspiring musicians or individuals with disabilities who look up to us as role models, we want to say: Believe in yourself, embrace your uniqueness, and never let anyone define your potential. With dedication, perseverance, and passion, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

View of the Arts: When you’re not working, what do you do to relax and get away from a busy schedule?

Big Ocean: When we’re not working, we go to the gym or take a nap. Sometimes, we watch other idols’ video clips for monitoring. But at the moment, there hasn’t been much free time.

View of the Arts: What can we expect from you this year?

Big Ocean: This year, we will be releasing two more digital singles that will give very fresh vibes. And we are preparing for the fan merchandise that we aim to start selling in May or June. Also, several collaborative works with international organisations and brand companies are ahead of us. So please keep your eyes on us!

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Featured image courtesy of Parastar Entertainment

_{View of the Arts is an online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}