On April 26, Korean boy band Big Ocean continued their European tour, Underwater, with a memorable stop in Paris. Following shows in Lausanne (as part of Swiss pop culture festival Polymanga), Milan, and London, Big Ocean arrived in Paris for the penultimate stop of their tour. The concert took place at Café de la Danse in the City of Lights, where all tickets were sold out.

Big Ocean officially debuted in April 2024 under PARASTAR Entertainment with three members: Lee Chan-yeon, PJ, and Kim Ji-seok. As newcomers to the K-pop scene, the group has already gained significant popularity, thanks in part to their innovative concept and growing global fanbase, which includes over 1 million followers on Instagram. What makes Big Ocean stand out is that all three members have varying degrees of hearing loss. Their debut date, April 20, 2024, coincides with the Day of Persons with Disabilities in South Korea, underscoring their commitment to inclusivity and representation in the music industry.

The show lasted around two hours and opened with a 20-minute performance by the K-pop dance cover crew Pink Blood Crew, who later joined the members on stage for several songs.

When Lee Chan-yeon, PJ, and Kim Ji-seok finally took the stage, they were met with roaring cheers from the French audience, eager to see them perform live. The group delivered most of their discography, impressive given their recent debut, including fan favorites like “Blow,” “ATTENTION,” “Sinking,” and “Slow.”

What stood out most was their ability to execute powerful choreography while simultaneously expressing the lyrics through sign language. While flawless dancing is a staple in K-pop, the way Big Ocean integrates sign language into their performances adds a deeply personal and emotional layer to their music. This characteristic of the group’s performances is both impressive and profoundly moving.

It’s worth noting that Paris holds a special place in Big Ocean’s story. The music video for their single “Flow” was filmed in the city, specifically at La Défense and the Institut National de Jeunes Sourds de Paris.
In August 2024, they released their third single, “Slow,” featuring Young K of DAY6, as a message of support for South Korean athletes participating in the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, further reflecting their growing international presence. Big Ocean’s mission to raise awareness about hearing loss through their art is not only courageous but meaningful, and it clearly resonates with fans around the world.

It was a privilege to attend Big Ocean’s Paris show and we’re excited to see them wrap up their European tour with a final stop in Montpellier the following day. A heartfelt thank you to Envol Prod for hosting us, and to Big Ocean members Lee Chan-yeon, PJ, and Kim Ji-seok for an unforgettable performance!