Interviewer: Aanchal Tekriwal (Godda, Jharkhand, India)

Editor: Prachi Vaid (Delhi, India)

They say that music is universal, and Big Ocean proves it.

Big Ocean is back and lighting up the holiday season. The Seoul-based trio, recognised as the world’s first hearing-impaired idol group, has captivated fans worldwide with their groundbreaking performances that blend music, sign language, and emotion. Under the wing of Parastar Entertainment, they’ve turned limitations into signature strengths, earning a devoted fan base, global recognition, and a spot in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia.

This November, they are releasing their Christmas single “RED-DY SET GO” on November 23, a festive anthem about courage, hope, and embracing your glow. Fans will hear it live at their year-end concert “HEARTSIGN: When Hands Sing, Hearts Answer” on December 7 at Paris’s Bataclan, promising an unforgettable performance. In this interview, Big Ocean talks about the story behind the song, what HEARTSIGN means to them, and how they continue to inspire a global audience with their music, resilience, and creativity.

Welcome back, Big Ocean! Since we last spoke right after your debut, you’ve grown so much as artists. As you release RED-DY SET GO and prepare for HEARTSIGN, how are you feeling returning to the stage and connecting with fans in this new chapter?

Chanyeon: Coming back with RED-DY SET GO and preparing for HEARTSIGN feels both exciting and meaningful for us. We’ve grown a lot since our debut, and returning to the stage now feels like starting a new chapter with more confidence. Connecting with PADO again, feeling their energy and support, reminds us why we make music. We’re grateful for this moment, and we can’t wait for everyone to experience what’s coming next.

Your new Christmas single, ‘RED-DY SET GO,’ releases on November 23. Can you share what inspired this festive anthem and the story behind it?

Jiseok: We wanted something that makes people smile the moment the song starts. Rudolph’s story felt perfect; it’s cute, but it also hits you in the heart. The idea that something you were once shy about becomes the very thing that leads you forward. I think that’s a story everyone can feel, including us.

RED-DY SET GO uses Rudolph’s red nose as a metaphor for courage and self-acceptance. How does this idea reflect your own journey as artists?

PJ: For us, RED-DY SET GO feels very personal. Just like Rudolph’s red nose, the things that make us different used to feel like challenges, but over time, we learned to see them as our strength. Our journey as artists has been about embracing who we are, trusting our identity, and turning vulnerability into confidence. This message of courage and self-acceptance reflects exactly how we’ve grown, and we hope it inspires others to be proud of what makes them unique, too.

This song is both cheerful and, at the same time, carries a deeper message of courage and self-acceptance. How did you bring these two sides to life in your performance?

Chanyeon: We brought both sides to life by keeping the choreography bright and fun, while using our expressions and sign language to show the deeper message. The energy reflects the cheerful mood, and the small, honest moments highlight the courage and self-acceptance behind the song. It’s a Christmas song, but it carries a soft message that says, ‘You’re stronger than you think, and your moment will come.’

After the single, you’ll perform at your year-end concert, HEARTSIGN, on December 7 at Bataclan in Paris. Can you share what the title means and what fans can look forward to?

Jiseok: ‘HEARTSIGN’ is about creating a special moment for PADO. For this concert, we’re doing so many new things, covering several local songs for the first time, changing outfits with unique ornaments, performing with our biggest number of dancers yet, and even having two corners dedicated to talking directly with fans. We’re putting all our creativity into every detail so that every moment feels exciting and memorable. I can’t wait for PADO to experience it all; it’s going to be a truly special night.

PJ: When we first learned about Bataclan’s history, we felt a quiet weight in our hearts. It’s a place that survived pain and chose to keep standing, and in a way, that aligns with everything HEARTSIGN is about. Performing there feels like honoring resilience, not just ours, but everyone’s. It’s a reminder that even after hardships, we can come together, share warmth, and create moments of hope and renewal through music.

Fans will hear ‘RED-DY SET GO’ live for the first time in Spain. How are you preparing to bring the song’s energy and story to life on stage?

Jiseok: We’ve practiced the chorus so much that it even plays in my head while I’m brushing my teeth, haha! We want the performance to feel like a countdown to something exciting, like opening a present — and we can already imagine the fans there sharing their energy and shining with us on stage.

Since your debut, Big Ocean has received global recognition, including Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia. How does this recognition inspire you, both individually and as a group?

PJ: Being recognized on Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia is truly an honor and a humbling experience for all of us. Individually, it inspires us to keep growing, challenging ourselves, and pursuing our passions with even more dedication. As a group, it reminds us of the journey we’ve taken together and the impact our music and message can have on people around the world. It motivates us to keep connecting with PADO, creating meaningful performances, and using our platform to inspire courage, joy, and inclusivity.

Looking back at your journey so far, is there a moment or memory, on or off stage, that truly made you realize how far the Big Ocean has come?

Chanyeon: One moment that really made us realize how far we’ve come was when we felt the energy of the fans so strongly on stage that it carried us completely. In that instant, we felt pure joy and connection, and it reminded us that our journey isn’t just about performing. It’s about sharing music and emotions with PADO all around the world.

Your fans, PADO, have shown so much love worldwide. Are there any moments with them that have stayed with you?

Jiseok: One moment I’ll never forget was during our debut stage. I was a little nervous about staying on beat without in-ears, but the fans helped us so much just by waving their hands and filling the space with their energy. And now, things feel completely different. PADO never stays quiet anymore, haha! They cheer as loudly as they want, and it honestly makes every performance more exciting for us.

Big Ocean has flipped the idea of limitation on its head, making it your biggest strength. How has this shaped the way you create, perform, and connect with your fans?

PJ: It showed us that performance isn’t just about sound. It’s about the emotion in our bodies, the story in our hands, and the messages we share even without words. Rather than hiding what makes us different, we embrace it, and that has transformed everything — our art, our confidence, and the way we connect with PADO.

Your music often carries themes of courage, hope, and self-acceptance. With ‘RED-DY SET GO’ releasing just before the holidays, how do you hope fans connect with its message?

Chanyeon: I hope this song feels like a gentle hand on someone’s shoulder. The holidays are happy for many people, but they can also be a quiet and lonely time. If ‘RED-DY SET GO’ can remind someone that their glow is real, that they don’t have to hide the parts of themselves they’re unsure about — then the song has already fulfilled its purpose. I just want it to bring warmth and comfort to whoever needs it the most.

With a growing fanbase in India, people are excited to see you perform live. Do you hope to bring the Big Ocean to India soon? 

Jiseok: We really hope to visit India soon! Even from afar, we can feel how passionate and supportive our fans are. Reading their messages always brings a smile to our faces. If we get the chance to perform there, it would be such a special moment, and we can’t wait to connect with them in person.

Lastly, what message would you like to convey to the fans in India and around the world who continue to support and cheer for you?

Chanyeon: We’re truly touched by the love we’ve received from fans in India and from PADO all around the world. Knowing that our music reaches you, even from so far away, means more than we can express. Your support gives us strength and reminds us that connection goes beyond borders, language, or distance. Thank you for cheering for us and walking this journey together. We carry your love in everything we do, and we hope to meet you very soon.

Once again, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your precious time and for sharing insights about your journey. Thank you so much. On behalf of the entire team at Hallyuism, we wish you all the best for your future projects and lots of love from India!

We hope you all loved reading this interview as much as we loved conducting it. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!