Big Ocean

Big Ocean have spent their career making the case that K-pop has room for them – just by continuing to show up, release music, and refusing to disappear. THE GREATEST BATTLE, their third mini album, is the fullest version of that argument yet. It doesn't soften the journey or dress it in metaphor. It says, plainly, that the fight has been long and exhausting, and that they're still in it.

That honesty runs through everything here. Jiseok grew up feeling cut off from the world around him, transferring to a school for the deaf and finding his footing through Taekwondo before music became the thing he couldn't let go of. The industry he eventually walked into wasn't built with him in mind. None of them were – and yet here they are, three albums deep, with a body of work that has expanded what K-pop can hold.

THE GREATEST BATTLE doesn't ask for recognition of that. PJ puts it plainly in the pages that follow: disability is part of their story, but it's not a label. What they want, above everything, is to be seen as artists. This album makes that case without argument – through the music, the signing, the choreography, and the conviction behind all of it.

THE GREATEST BATTLE is a strong title. What does the phrase mean to you personally – not for the album, but in your own life?

Jiseok For me, "the greatest battle" is just... the fact that I'm still standing here. Before debut, I went through a lot of uncertainty, wondering if I'd ever find my place. There was this moment when I was still an Alpine skier, dreaming about music but thinking it was impossible. And honestly, I'm still fighting it every day, but now I have my members and PADOs.

This album feels like a shift from who Big Ocean were before. What made this the right moment to try something new?

PJ Every story has two sides, so we can't only talk about hope and belief without also acknowledging how difficult that journey can be. We know it's not easy. We've been going through it ourselves, and we believe many of our PADOs also feel the same way. At the same time, we always want to grow and show something new for the people who support us. Evolution is a part of that. So with this album, it felt like the perfect time to make a stronger shift to reflect not just the hope, but also the strength it takes to hold onto it.

Resilience is a theme for this album. Can you tell us about a specific moment where you had to fight to keep going?

Jiseok It actually goes back to my childhood. When I was young, I struggled to connect with friends who weren't disabled. There was a time when I felt completely cut off from the world around me, even though it wasn't truly that way. Later, I transferred to a school for the deaf. Even so, I held on to the things I loved. I learned Taekwondo to build strength and confidence. I also started pursuing music, which at the time felt like it mostly belonged to the hearing world. It wasn't easy, but I'm grateful I never gave up.

The "rugged rebel" concept is very interesting. Did anything about that feel uncomfortable at first? If so, how did you overcome that?

Chanyeon Honestly, we didn't find it uncomfortable at all. It felt more like stepping into something fresh and exciting for us. We've always told stories full of hope and warmth, so our expressions and performances have naturally come across softer and more gentle. With this concept, we were asked to embody the intensity of a battle, which pulled us into a completely different emotional world. Throughout the process, we focused on keeping a calm but solid fighter's mindset, letting that feeling lead the way. The energy on set, the dancers' powerful vibe, and our own journey all came together to keep us fully in the moment — helping us shape sharper expressions and more forceful, fierce and commanding signing.

Prejudice is another theme in your new album. Is this something you have experienced directly, or something you wanted to speak about for others?

Jiseok I think it's both. There have been moments where we were misunderstood, especially in communication, and people sometimes form assumptions about what we're capable of. It's not always intentional, but it's something we've come to recognize and rise above. At the same time, we wanted to speak to and for others who may have experienced something similar. In "One Man Army," there's a line in the chorus: "'Cause I've always been beaten, but never defeated." Frankie also said that it's his life's story in the most literal sense. That line resonated deeply with us as well. It captures a feeling we believe is shared by many people who have faced being underestimated, but continue to move forward in their own way.

Sign language has been a core part of Big Ocean's identity. What does sign language give a performance that sound alone cannot?

Chanyeon We place a strong emphasis on our signing, making it as integral to the performance as the lyrics and the sound itself. For many of our PADOs, especially those with limited hearing, it allows them to fully understand, connect with, and feel the music alongside us. Because signing is so central, it creates a deeper layer of expression. So even as you listen, you're also experiencing the message visually at the same time. In that way, the music becomes more universal, reaching everyone, whether they can hear it or not. That sense of inclusivity is something sound alone can't fully achieve.

When you were recording this album, was there one track that surprised you – something that became more meaningful than you expected?

PJ "One Man Army" became especially meaningful for all of us. It's the first track where every member of Big Ocean took part in the composition process. We discussed which instruments and frequencies would be most perceptible for us and for fans with hearing aids. I also had a personal conversation with our songwriter, Frankie Biggz — we instantly connected as he's also deaf. His words stayed with me and naturally became part of how I approached the song, inspiring me to give my all and make it as meaningful and impactful as possible.

Big Ocean have now made three mini-albums together. How do you think you have changed as a group since the beginning?

Chanyeon I think both our confidence and our message have grown over time. When we debuted with "Glow," we were introducing ourselves and sharing a message of hope. But now, with "THE GREATEST BATTLE," we're talking about the real fight it takes to keep that hope alive. This album captures everything we've been through, all the battles we've faced up to this point. It's us being honest about how hard the journey actually is, and still choosing to stand our ground.

"Free Soul Pop" is the term used to describe your sound. If you had to explain what that sound feels like, what would you say?

PJ "Free Soul Pop" is less about a specific sound and more about a feeling. It's about self-acceptance, finding comfort through music and creating spaces where you can truly be yourself. We believe in embracing diversity as part of that journey, exploring different paths to find your own kind of happiness. In that sense, it's also about breaking barriers — making music that feels open, accessible, and resonates with everyone.

Is there someone – or a type of person – you were thinking about when you made this album?

Jiseok This album was deeply inspired by Admiral Yi Sun-sin and his legendary battle in Myeongnyang. The image of him fighting for his life against overwhelming odds on the stormy seas felt very similar to the path that Big Ocean has walked. From there, we realized that the image of the underdog also fits perfectly — those who truly understand the weight of a long, exhausting battle and what it's like to step into the unknown armed with nothing but burning passion. We poured those exact feelings into this music, and we truly hope that THE GREATEST BATTLE can serve as a supportive hand on your shoulder during their toughest days.

What comes next for Big Ocean – what does that next chapter look like to you?

Chanyeon It's hard to say exactly what's coming next because everything moves so quickly in this world we love. But one thing remains crystal clear: we will never stop evolving. In this next chapter, we want to explore even bolder concepts and sharpen our performance skills even further, so we can keep sharing messages that truly resonate and matter. We're also dreaming bigger about finally meeting our overseas PADOs face to face in new places like Latin America and across Asia, where the love and support have touched us so deeply from afar. We long to transform that beautiful long-distance connection into real, shared memories through tours and meaningful moments together very soon.

If THE GREATEST BATTLE could change one thing about how people see you, what would you want that to be?

PJ We'd love for people to see us, above all, as artists. Disability is a part of our story, but it's not a label. And we believe the same should be true for everyone else too. With this album, we hope listeners connect more deeply with our performances. We want them to feel both the sound we create and the signing and visual storytelling we share, and to truly sense the emotions we're pouring out to give. At the same time, we want to help build a more inclusive world by celebrating diversity in every form. That sense of belonging and embrace is what we hope people carry with them long after the music ends.

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This feature is taken from our fourth printed issue, available for purchase here.