A new group composed entirely of deaf members will make its debut next month on National Disabled Persons Day. (Image courtesy of Parastar Entertainment)
SEOUL, Mar. 29 (Korea Bizwire) – In a groundbreaking move for South Korea’s phenomenally popular K-pop music scene, a new group composed entirely of deaf members will make its debut next month on National Disabled Persons Day, according to their agency, Parastar Entertainment.
The trio, called Big Ocean, consists of Lee Chan-yeon, Park Hyun-jin and Kim Ji-seok. They will perform songs in Korean sign language, English sign language and international sign, an unprecedented approach in the tightly choreographed world of K-pop idol groups.
The name Big Ocean reflects the act’s ambition to create a major splash and spread their music across the world like a vast ocean, the agency said.
On April 20, Big Ocean will release its first digital single, “Light,” a remake of the 1990s hit song by the pioneering K-pop group H.O.T. The members recorded their vocals like typical idol singers, but used artificial intelligence technology to supplement higher ranges where their hearing limitations posed challenges.
While performing intricate choreography onstage, Big Ocean will incorporate sign language movements at intervals, offering an inspirational visual experience for hearing and deaf audiences alike.
Last month at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, Parastar Entertainment teamed up with the telecommunications giant SK Telecom to forge partnerships with tech firms specializing in AI voice software. The agency developed its own tool called the Light Metronome to help the members overcome certain obstacles posed by diminished hearing ability.
“The debut of Big Ocean ushers in a new era of ESG (environmental, social, governance) culture, which has recently been a major concern among companies and the general public,” said a spokesperson for Parastar Entertainment.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
