Latest news with #KoreanSignLanguage
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
K-Pop's first deaf group Big Ocean takes the global stage; makes history through sign language
First Deaf K-Pop Idol Big Ocean Picture this - three young guys who refuse to let anything stop them from chasing their K-pop dreams, even when the world tells them it's impossible. That's exactly what Big Ocean represents, lads are doing by rewriting the rulebook entirely. The New York Times recently shone a massive spotlight on Korea's first-ever deaf K-pop idol group and the story is absolutely incredible. These aren't just your regular performers; they're revolutionising an entire industry through the power of sign language and sheer determination. Breaking Every Stereotype Big Ocean consists of three members - Chanyeon (27), Hyunjin (25), and Jiseok (22) - who are either deaf or have hearing impairments. But here's where it gets really cool: they use cutting-edge AI technology to create their music, vibrating smartwatches to stay in sync during choreography, and seamlessly weave Korean Sign Language into their performances. The group made their debut on April 20, 2024 (which happens to be Korea's Day of People with Disabilities) with a remake of H.O.T.'s hit song "Glow". Since then, they've been on an absolutely wild journey - from getting recognised as Billboard's rookies of the month to landing spots on Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia list. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Are Watching Tariffs - Few Are Watching What Nvidia Just Launched Seeking Alpha Read More Undo Technology Meets Talent What's fascinating is how they've embraced technology to overcome challenges. They use AI voice cloning technology from Supertone (HYBE's AI subsidiary) to enhance their English pronunciation while preserving their unique vocal tones. Their fans, called "Pados" (meaning waves in Korean), are so dedicated that many are learning sign language just to connect better with the group. With nearly 1 million Instagram followers and over 696,000 on TikTok, they're proving that authentic representation resonates with people worldwide. A Cultural Shift The New York Times highlighted how Big Ocean's success reflects broader progress in Korean society, particularly since Korean Sign Language became officially recognized in 2016. This reminds us of our own journey in India, where we've gradually become more inclusive and accepting of diverse talents in entertainment. Just recently, they performed at the UN's AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva and have been touring Europe and the US. Their message is universal - that disabilities don't define limitations, they define unique characteristics that set you apart. As Jiseok beautifully put it, "We don't feel like our hearing disability is a disability or handicap that's getting in the way of pursuing our dream. It is a characteristic that differentiates us from other people". That's the kind of mindset that transcends borders and cultures, speaking directly to anyone who's ever felt different or overlooked.
Straits Times
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
K-pop boy band Big Ocean is making waves with sign language
WASHINGTON – Like other K-pop sensations, Big Ocean sing, rap, dance and attract swooning fans. But this new group's meteoric rise is fuelled by a skill it seems no other boy band boasts: signing. The band members – Lee Chan-yeon, 27, Park Hyun-jin, 25, and Kim Ji-seok, 22 – are all deaf or hard of hearing. They use the latest audio technology to help make their music, coordinate their choreography with flashing metronomes and vibrating watches, and incorporate Korean Sign Language (KSL) into videos and performances. 'Just like divers rely on signs to communicate underwater, we use sign language to convey meaning where sound alone might fall short,' Lee said. 'For us, KSL is not just an element – it's the heart of our performance.' The group released their debut single, Glow, in 2024, on Korea's Day of People with Disabilities, and they did their first televised performance incorporating KSL, generating local buzz that reverberated beyond national borders. Soon after, they followed up with Blow, a single heavy on English lyrics and American Sign Language. In September 2024, they were named Billboard's rookies of the month. And recently, they made the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Entertainment & Sports List. In July, the band performed at an anime festival in Brazil and a United Nations tech event in Switzerland, before touring Europe for the second time since spring. Their first American tour starts later in July. Big Ocean now has 997,000 followers on Instagram and more than 696,000 on TikTok. Fans, who call themselves 'Pados' after the Korean word for wave, are devoted, and many are learning sign languages from the band, who make numerous tutorials. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore S'poreans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 World Trump 'caught off guard' by Israel's strikes in Syria Opinion Singapore's vaping crisis lays bare the drug addiction nightmare for parents Singapore LTA seeks tailored solutions to improve Bukit Panjang LRT's maintenance inspections Life '+60 points for following crowd measures': Singaporeans jump on viral 'aura farming' trend Multimedia 'It's very sad': She comforts loved ones turned away by inmates Opinion Sumiko at 61: 7 facts about facial skin ageing, and skincare ingredients that actually work World US not rushing trade deals ahead of August deadline, will talk with China, Bessent says But fame was never assured, said Ms Haley Cha, chief executive of Parastar Entertainment, Big Ocean's management company. 'We had many difficulties in developing this band,' she said. Even the members sometimes questioned their dream, she added. They had alternate careers, and it was not always clear to them or to others what they could achieve in music. Park, who goes by P.J., was a YouTuber, creating content about hearing disabilities. Lee worked as an audiologist at a hospital. Kim had been an alpine skier. Ms Cha said she used a variety of tactics to help them visualise stardom, including taking images of established K-pop idols and replacing the faces with those of the trio. They have since made videos and performed with industry luminaries. A major breakthrough Big Ocean's rise did not happen in a vacuum. The band's struggles and successes reflect broader advances for South Korea's deaf community, nearly a decade after the country recognised KSL as an official language, distinct from spoken Korean. About a quarter of a million South Koreans are deaf or hard of hearing. An estimated 84 per cent of them use sign language as a primary mode of communication, and more than one-third live in the capital, Seoul. Historically, there were few educational opportunities for the deaf community, and there was little recognition of KSL, said Mr Jeonghwan Kim, president of the Seoul Association of the Deaf. A national association for the deaf was established in 1946, but the emphasis on education during much of the 20th century was on speech training rather than signing. That focus on speech in South Korea was part of a wider global trend that was hotly debated, particularly with the development of cochlear implants to aid hearing. Some argue that sign language as an expression of deaf culture and identity is marginalised when speech is emphasised. Big Ocean blends singing with signing, and the path for South Korea's embrace of the band was paved with legislation. In 2016, the Korean Sign Language Act went into effect, recognising KSL as the official language of the deaf community. It was 'a major breakthrough', Mr Kim said , adding that it marked a substantial step forward in securing their 'linguistic rights and cultural identity'. The National Institute of Korean Language began working to promote KSL and develop educational materials, conducting research on sign language usage, building a dictionary and training instructors, according to Ms Hyesun Chung, a research officer in charge of KSL at the institute. The institute has also tried to promote the idea 'that deaf people have the right to enjoy and express their culture through their own language', she said. Those institutional changes have helped shift cultural views, leading to the acceptance of deaf artistes, including Big Ocean. The band, in turn, have raised awareness of deaf culture in South Korea and the world. 'Many deaf youth see their presence onstage as a powerful form of representation,' Mr Kim said. 'Their work broadens the public's perception of artistic expression beyond sound.' Global reach Big Ocean wanted to make waves worldwide, so the group studied ASL and International Sign (IS) to create shows that were more accessible across different cultures. 'When fans sign back during concerts, it's one of the most powerful forms of connection,' Kim Ji-seok said. Fans do sign back, online and at performances, and the band's emphasis on signing has helped to educate people about a basic fact: Every sign language is distinct from the corresponding spoken tongue, as well as from other sign languages. For followers already in the know, Big Ocean's use of sign language is extremely gratifying. Responding to a recent IS video tutorial for the song Sinking, one commenter with hearing loss wrote: 'Been blasting this through my headphones and emotionally signing it all night.' For their part, the trio's members seem delighted that they inspire people and are heartened by the world's response. 'Knowing that our music resonates with Pados worldwide motivates us to keep pushing boundaries,' Park said. Lee noted that at a recent meeting, they met fans 'who were overcoming cancer, surviving school bullying or healing from personal hardships' and who felt inspired by their work. 'One fan told us, 'You're proof that something that seems impossible can actually happen,'' he said. 'That moment really stayed with me.' NYTIMES
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
This K-Pop band is making waves with sign language
All members — Lee Chan-yeon, Park Hyun-jin, Kim Ji-seok — are hard of hearing Like other K-pop sensations, Big Ocean sings, raps, dances and attracts swooning fans. But this new group's meteoric rise is fueled by a skill it seems no other boy band boasts: signing. Band members — Lee Chan-yeon, 27, Park Hyun-jin, 25, and Kim Ji-seok, 22 — are all deaf or hard of hearing. They use the latest audio technology to help make their music, coordinate their choreography with flashing metronomes and vibrating watches, and incorporate Korean Sign Language into videos and performances. 'Just like divers rely on signs to communicate underwater, we use sign language to convey meaning where sound alone might fall short,' Lee said. 'For us, KSL is not just an element — it's the heart of our performance.' The group released their debut single, 'Glow,' last year, on Korea's Day of People with Disabilities, and they did their first televised performance incorporating KSL. Soon after, they followed up with 'Blow,' a single heavy on English lyrics and American Sign Language. In Sept, they were named Billboard's rookies of the month, and recently, they made the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Entertainment & Sports List. This month, the band performed at an anime festival in Brazil and at a UN tech event in Switzerland before touring Europe for the second time since spring. Their first American tour starts later this month. Big Ocean has 995,000 followers on Instagram and more than 696,000 on TikTok. Fans, who call themselves 'Pados' after Korean word for wave, are devoted, and many are learning sign languages from the band, which makes numerous tutorials. But fame was never assured, said Haley Cha, CEO of Parastar Entertainment, Big Ocean's management company. Even the members sometimes questioned their dream, Cha added. They had alternate careers, and it was not always clear to them or to others what they could achieve in music. Cha said she used a variety of tactics to help them visualise stardom, including taking images of established K-pop idols and replacing the faces with those of the trio. Some in the deaf community, however, worry about the framing of the band, particularly for hearing audiences, as an inspirational narrative about 'overcoming' disability that could undermine deaf identity. For their part, the trio's members seem delighted they inspire people and heartened by the world's response.
