On April 20th of this year, the three-member male idol group ‘Big Ocean’ debuted. A decent appearance, a likable smile, gentle yet disciplined choreography… . At first glance, it seemed like one of the new idol groups that debut every year.
However, when I looked more closely at Big Ocean’s stage, I saw something different from other rookie groups. First of all, sign language was included throughout the choreography. The appearance of the bleachers was also unique. When a singer appears on stage, fans usually cheer, wave light sticks, and shout cheering slogans, but it was rather quiet. Instead, fans were raising both hands toward the sky, turning their wrists horizontally, and making a ‘twinkle above their heads’ gesture.
In fact, there is one modifier that follows Big Ocean. ‘K-pop’s first deaf idol group’. Big Ocean members Ji-seok, Hyun-jin, and Chan-yeon all have hearing impairment. This is why fans did special cheering movements. Members who have difficulty hearing were worried that they might miss the start of the stage due to the cheers of fans, so they gave ‘customized’ support to the artist.
The reason it has been difficult to see hearing-impaired singers is probably because singing and dancing require not missing a single beat. So how does Big Ocean prepare the stage to stand in front of fans? The
Compensating for hearing impairment limitations through technology
Before debuting, Big Ocean had to find a way to practice singing and dancing. This was because it was difficult to know whether the sound one was making accurately reached the desired sound name, and there were differences in hearing between members, so even the same sound could be heard at different levels. Communication was easy when we were close to each other, but sometimes the timing was off when we were in tune or matching the beat together.
After much thought, they decided to use a smartphone tuner application (app) when practicing singing. This is an app that tells you which note name the sound you make corresponds to. Through this, I learned what level of sound is produced by applying how much force to which muscle. I improved my pitch accuracy through repeated training.
When recording the song, we also received help from artificial intelligence (AI). When members sing a song multiple times, AI learns the members’ voice data and corrects it to a more accurate and natural voice.
“With the help of AI deep learning, I often think, ‘This is what we sound like, we need a lot of practice.’ “Someday, I want to show people singing live without using AI deep learning technology.” (Mr. Ji-seok)
![The billboard is also ATTENTION! It is a ‘big ocean’ that creates bigger waves in the wider world.[BreakFirst]](https://dimg.donga.com/wps/NEWS/IMAGE/2024/09/27/130116357.1.png "The billboard is also ATTENTION! It is a ‘big ocean’ that creates bigger waves in the wider world.[BreakFirst]")
So how did the ‘sharpened group dance’ come together? Big Ocean actively utilized other senses, such as sight and touch. We display numbers on a beam projector and watch the numbers change according to the beat while matching the beat together. Vibration generated when stamping one’s feet and vibration delivered by a smartwatch linked to the song in accordance with the BPM of the music allowed members to recognize the beat and move at the same time.
However, even if various technologies and methods are used, they are only auxiliary means. In the end, repetition, repetition, and effort added to the effort were necessary.
“We can’t rely completely on machines. “We have to film practice repeatedly to check whether the movements of each member match each other.” (Hyunjin)
A little slower, but goes further
All Big Ocean members are in their 20s. The youngest, Ji-seok (21), is in his early 20s, and Hyun-jin (25) and Chan-yeon (26) are in their mid-20s. Considering that idol singers usually debut in their mid-to-late teens, Big Ocean is a ‘late blooming’ idol group.
Big Ocean members did different things before their debut.
Ji-seok worked as an alpine skier. It started with the recommendation of a school teacher who recognized Ji-seok’s outstanding athletic ability during his school days. Hyunjin worked as a hearing-impaired YouTuber creator. He said he filmed and produced many videos on related topics because he wanted to break misunderstandings and prejudices about hearing impairment. Ms. Chan-yeon worked as an audiologist (an expert in charge of evaluation and rehabilitation of auditory function considering the characteristics of people with hearing loss) at Korea University Anam Hospital.
For everyone, being an ‘idol’ is a distant dream. For them, it would have been one step further. However, whether they knew it or not, each of them was developing an interest in music in their own way.
“I had cochlear implant surgery when I was 9 years old, and because sounds sounded mechanical, I began to think negatively about sound. However, after attending piano lessons, I began to feel positive about sound, and I became very interested in various genres of music, from classical music to K-pop.” (Hyunjin)
Ji-seok cited the good deeds of BTS member RM (real name Kim Nam-joon, 30) as the reason he became interested in music. In September 2019, RM donated 100 million won to Seoul Samsung School, a special school for the hearing impaired, saying, ‘Please use it for music education for hearing impaired students.’ Ji-seok was a student at that time.
“Originally, I wasn’t very interested in music. I didn’t really have a chance to learn an instrument. However, thanks to senior RM’s donation, I was able to learn various instruments at school. At the same time, my interest in music grew.” (Mr. Ji-seok)
They may have started late as idols, but their ‘past’ can be helpful in their current activities. Hyunjin, who worked as a creator, stood in front of the camera, so he is no stranger to the camera even after his debut. Because Ji-seok has athletic ability, he learns choreography quickly. Chanyeon has a good understanding of hearing impairment.
“Because I studied a major related to hearing impairment, I was able to recognize the level of hearing of the members and understand, ‘If I want to communicate with the members, I need to speak at this level.’ Also, if simple first aid is needed, I also provide it.” (Mr. Chanyeon)
Waves caused by ‘hand gestures’, US Billboard also pays attention
These days, idols basically carry out global activities in parallel. There are many cases where they gain attention from overseas fans even before their debut. So, in addition to practicing vocals and choreography, I also study foreign languages hard. The same goes for Big Ocean. However, the foreign language is not a spoken foreign language, but a sign language for each country.
“Because sign language is also a language, the grammar of sign language is different and the word order is different in each country. Learning another country’s sign language is like learning a new foreign language. “I want to actively communicate with more fans through ‘Language of Seeing.’” (Hyunjin)
In fact, if you look at the nationalities of Big Ocean fans, the United States accounts for a high proportion. This month, the U.S. Billboard selected Big Ocean as ‘K-Pop Rookie of the Month’. “Inspire listeners with your own story and music, which is one of the core messages of K-pop.”It was highly commented. The response from not only American but also European fans is growing.
A lot of sign language is also reflected in the choreography of Big Ocean’s song.
“Music is something you enjoy by ‘listening’ to. However, by using sign language, when we stand on stage I also want to give you ‘the pleasure of watching’.” (Mr. Ji-seok)
“Someday, when we hold concerts in each country, we will add that country’s sign language to our songs and meet more ‘waves’ (Big Ocean’s fandom name).” (Mr. Chanyeon)
The idol world is already extremely competitive. Some people may have viewed the possibility of Big Ocean negatively. But Big Ocean says it will not give in to such views. They said they would focus more on the hope the public would feel through their appearance.
“I hope you don’t get hurt by society’s framework and stereotypes. Regardless of whether you have a disability or not, I firmly believe that if you have confidence and courage in what you want to do, you can accomplish anything!”
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2024-09-29 19:25:32