In a recent interview, Big Ocean shared their experiences creating their new music, working with Grammy-winning producer Mark Batson on their latest track FLOW, and how K-pop idol BTS’ RM has inspired their K-pop journey.
Big Ocean: A Dream Built on Resilience
Big Ocean, a K-pop group consisting of Hyunjin, Jiseok, and Chanyeon, is making waves in the industry. Known as South Korea’s first all-hard-of-hearing boy band, the trio debuted earlier this year, commemorating South Korea’s Day of Persons with Disabilities. Their new mini-album, Follow, includes their recent collaboration FLOW with DAY6’s YoungK.
In their exclusive interview with pinkvilla, the members opened up about their unique journey and the themes of resilience and hope in their music.
The Path to K-pop: How RM Inspired Big Ocean
For Jiseok, the dream of becoming a K-pop star began when BTS’s RM donated to his school, Seoul Samsung School. That support helped fund their music program, leading Jiseok to discover K-pop.
“That support helped fund our music program, and it introduced me to K-pop. Seeing the impact he made inspired me to pursue music myself.”
– Jiseok
For Hyunjin, music played a vital role in his recovery after his cochlear surgery. Discovering his childhood dream of becoming an idol made him feel like life had been guiding him towards this path.
“After my accident and cochlear surgery, music became such a big part of my recovery. I found an old school record where I’d written ‘idol’ as my dream—it felt like life had been pointing me in this direction all along.”
– Hyunjin
Chanyeon was inspired by his background as an audiologist and the healing power of music. After his own cochlear implant surgery, he decided to share that healing with others through music.
“For me, working as an audiologist really opened my eyes to how healing music can be. After my cochlear implant surgery, I realized I wanted to share that healing with others, and that’s what led me to this path.”
– Chanyeon
Big Ocean’s Music and Message
Big Ocean’s music is deeply tied to themes of self-discovery, healing, and resilience. Their genre, Free-soul POP, blends emotional sincerity with uplifting pop sounds.
“Through Follow, we hope to inspire listeners to embrace their own journeys: to Glow with hope, BLOW through challenges, SLOW down and trust the process, and FLOW naturally with life. Our goal is to keep connecting with our Pados worldwide and create music that resonates deeply with people, not just as entertainment but as a source of healing and Inspiration.”
– Chanyeon
“Our music is all about the journey of life—finding hope, overcoming challenges, and learning to trust yourself. From Glow to FLOW, each song reflects a unique part of that journey, and we hope listeners can feel connected to these stories.”
– Hyunjin
“We introduced a style we call Free-soul POP, which blends emotional sincerity with uplifting pop elements. It’s a sound that reflects who we are and the themes we believe in, like resilience, self-discovery, and healing. Right now, we’re focused on sharing our mini-album Follow with as many people as possible.”
– Jiseok
Each track in their debut mini-album Follow represents a part of their personal journey, aiming to help listeners connect emotionally with their experiences.
Behind the Music: Song Creation and Choreography
Big Ocean’s music production process is unique, as they work with tools like vibrating smartwatches and flashing lights to stay in sync with the beat and each other. The group also uses these methods to refine their choreography, creating a strong emotional connection with their audience.
For choreography, we use tools like vibrating watches and flashing lights to stay in sync. It’s not the usual process, but it helps us perform as a team, and we’ve grown so much through it.
– Chanyeon
“For recording FLOW, Mark Batson tailored it just for us. He adjusted the beats and rhythm so we could fully connect with the song—it felt like it was made perfectly for us.”
– Hyunjin
“We also spend a lot of time refining our choreography and working on ways to express emotions through movement and signs. It’s our way of bringing our music to life and helping our audience feel the story behind each song.”
– Jiseok
They also emphasized the importance of emotional expression in choreography and signs to bring their songs to life on stage.
Fans’ Reactions and Gratitude
Since their debut, Big Ocean has received overwhelming support from their fans, known as Pado. The group also highlighted the significance of moments like their 100-day debut celebration, where their fans raised funds for Gallaudet University, an act that deeply touched them.
“Receiving many awards has been a milestone that we never imagined reaching so soon. These moments remind us how far we’ve come and inspire us to continue sharing our stories with as many people as we can.”
– Hyunjin
“One moment that really touched us was when our Pados raised funds for Gallaudet University to celebrate our 100-day debut. It was such a meaningful gesture that reminded us of the positive impact music can have. We’ve also been grateful for opportunities like hosting the Paralympics live viewing event—it was inspiring to see how the athletes’ determination resonated with so many, including us.”
– Jiseok
“Since debuting, so much has changed, but one thing that always amazes us is the way our Pados connect with our music and values. Their support, whether through learning sign language or engaging with causes close to our hearts, has been humbling. These moments remind us why we’re doing this—to bring people together and spread positivity.”
– Chanyeon
Big Ocean’s Message to the World
The members of Big Ocean are determined to spread positivity and encourage others through their music. They hope their songs will inspire people to trust their own journeys and embrace growth, even in difficult times.
“When things feel tough, hold onto hope, no matter how small it seems. Glow reminds us that even the tiniest spark of belief can grow into something amazing.”
– Jiseok
“To everyone following our journey, we want you to know that you’re never alone. Life can feel uncertain, but FLOW reminds us to trust the journey and let things unfold naturally. Life can feel uncertain, but we want you to know you’re never alone. Let life unfold naturally, and know that support is always within reach.”
– Hyunjin
“Life isn’t always easy, and it’s okay to take your time. SLOW teaches us to pause, breathe, and trust the process. Growth doesn’t happen all at once, and every small step forward matters. We hope this reminds people that it’s perfectly okay to move at their own pace.”
– Chanyeon
“With our mini-album Follow, we wanted to create something truly meaningful—a collection of songs that not only tells a story but also connects with listeners on a deeper level. It’s more than music; it’s a reminder that no matter where you are in life, you can always find hope, courage, and resilience. We hope Follow resonates with our Pados and inspires them to keep moving forward with confidence and self-belief.”
– Big Ocean
Their debut mini-album Follow is a testament to their journey, serving as a source of healing and inspiration for their Pado fans around the world.
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CREDITS:
PARASTAR Entertainment
