BY AMANDA MOSES
Earlier this month, Big Ocean made waves in New York City while promoting their first album, “Follow” on November 11th.
As the first hard-of-hearing K-Pop act, Big Ocean are the South Korean superheroes we all needed to make waves in a music industry that is not always inclusive, especially for those with a disability.
Far too often individuals with a disability are told to set their standards low. They are bombarded with negative advice such as don’t try entering certain fields because it would be an impossible task; however, the members of Big Ocean defied these social stigmas and carved their own path utilizing advanced technology to aid in the process. The group has a special application on their phone that sends vibrations onto their watches to signal metronome beats, as well as backpacks that vibrate. These tools help when they are dancing and singing.
Hyunjin, Jiseok,and Chanyeon are all hard-of-hearing. A severe fever at age 3 caused Hyunjin to lose his hearing but after receiving cochlear surgery he found solace in music. He began to dance and sing and wanted to share his passion with the world. Chanyeon lost his hearing at age 11, also after a severe fever, and underwent cochlear implant surgery. Music became his therapy. Jiseok was born hard of hearing and uses hearing aids. He loves skiing and dancing and is driven by this passion to keep moving forward.
The concept behind their K-Pop group is that the ocean is the connector between people providing comfort and potential. Additionally, those who dive into the water use hand signals to communicate. Big Ocean takes this a step further, using music as their form of communication in a world that is not often designed for the hard of hearing. Their first album, entitled “Follow,” is a rallying cry not just for those who are hard of hearing, but who may have a disability or facing are a difficulty. Their message is clear: Don’t let anything stop you from following your dreams.
“It’s a lie to say that there is nothing hard; however, the meaning of our album “Follow” is follow your happiness. I was busy and tired while preparing for this album, but when I think about it, there were many things that were happy moving me forward like our debut stage of “Glow,” shooting the “Flow” music video at the National Institute of Deaf Youth in Paris and interviewing in New York. I’ve come this far in search of my happiness,” Chanyeon said.
From filming their first music video at the National Institute of Deaf Youth in Paris, the world’s first institute for Deaf students (which was founded in 1750s), to climbing to the top of the Empire State Building, Big Ocean are defying the odds.
During a meet and greet in Central Park, one fan who is also hard-of-hearing, says that Big Ocean changed her perspective on life.
“I love Big Ocean because I am also deaf myself. I have cochlear implants myself and it’s such an inspiration that they are in a K-Pop scene with cochlear implants. It’s something that I can relate to and they’re amazing,” Gabi Gregory said.
The world is their oyster, and Big Ocean plans on blazing a trail for all to follow.
Photos by Amanda Moses
