Deaf K-Pop Band Big Ocean to Debut, Thanks to BTS’s RM

The Debut of Big Ocean, the Hearing-Impaired Idol Group
Connection with BTS’s RM
RM Had Previously Donated to the School

A deaf high school student who received music education support from BTS’s RM is set to debut as an idol.

The K-pop idol group Big Ocean (Chan Yeon, Hyun Jin, Ji Seok), under PARASTAR Entertainment, debuted on April 20. All members of Big Ocean are deaf.

In an interview before their debut, Big Ocean’s member Ji Seok was asked if there were anyone they would like to collaborate with. He responded, “I like BTS’s RM.”

Ji Seok, who graduated from Seoul Samsung School for the Deaf, said, “Thanks to RM’s musical donation during my time at school, I became interested in music through dance and song covers. If I ever get the chance, I would like to collaborate with RM.”

On his birthday, RM donated 100 million won to Seoul Samsung School 2019, asking it to support music education for deaf students.

Upon hearing this news, fans responded positively, saying, “This is the power of positive influence,” “I hope their debut song is a hit and they can collaborate with RM when he is discharged from the military,” and “Wow, it’s amazing and cool,” and “Wishing success for Big Ocean.”

Big Ocean, a hearing-impaired idol group, has members Chan Yeon, who lost his hearing due to a high fever at age 11, Hyun Jin, who lost his hearing at age 3, and Ji Seok, who was born with hearing loss.

The three members communicate through sign language and spoken language with the help of hearing aids, and they also use lip-reading for communication.

Ji Seok said, “We are rare cases. Not all people with hearing loss can speak like us, but it doesn’t mean they can’t speak either.”

Big Ocean debuted with the song “Light” on the MBC music show Show! Music Core on April 20, International Day of Disabled Persons. “Light” is a remake of a hit song by the first-generation idol group H.O.T.