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Big Ocean member Kim Ji-seok credited BTS leader RM for his idol journey in a recent interview clip on Saturday, April 13. South Korea's first-ever hearing-impaired K-pop boy group, Big Ocean, is set to debut on April 20.
During an interview with Korea Now, the group members were asked if they would get a chance to collaborate with an artist. Kim Ji-seok picked the BTS leader and explained that the reason behind it was the rapper's donation to Seoul Samsung School.
He said—
"I love BTS RM! I graduated from Seoul Samsung School, a school for people with hearing impairments. RM donated to our school’s music education. I was a student back then."
He further added—
"Thanks to him I got a chance to discover dancing and come in contact with cover songs. I got more interested in music so it would be nice to do a collaboration with RM if I get a chance someday."
Korea's first hearing-impaired K-pop group Big Ocean member Kim Ji-seok expresses gratitude towards BTS' RM
The BTS leader is known for his rapping and songwriting skills, as well as his commitment to philanthropy. In 2019, Kim Namjoon donated a generous amount of 100 million Korean Won (approximately 83,740 USD) to Seoul Samsung School on the occasion of his 25th birthday. This donation aimed to help students receive music education at Seoul Samsung School, which is a specialized school educating students with hearing impairments.
Big Ocean's Kim Ji-seok expressed his gratitude towards the BTS member for the donation, as it helped him find a pathway towards learning dancing and becoming an idol.
As per The Chosun Daily, Kim Ji-seok was often advised to find jobs in the physical or technical field due to his disability, such suggestions were hurtful stereotypes. However, pursuing his dream job would not only fulfill his happiness but also fill the void inside.
In 2022, Kim Namjoon also donated a huge amount for the cultural and historic restoration of Korean wedding ceremony attire to the Cultural Heritage Administration and the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation.
About Big Ocean
Big Ocean, the first hearing-impaired K-pop group, is set to make their official debut on April 20, 2024, which marks Disabled Persons' Day in South Korea. The K-pop group is signed under Parastar Entertainment, Korea’s first entertainment agency specializing in artists with disabilities.
The group includes three members 26-year-old rapper Lee Chan-yeon, 25-year-old main vocalist Park Hyun-jin, and 21-year-old rapper Kim Ji-seok. Each member lost their hearing at different points in life, the eldest member Lee Chan-yeon lost his hearing at 18, Park Hyun-jin at three, and Kim Ji-seok was born deaf.
The idols are all proficient lip readers and do not have any issues while communicating using cochlear implants and hearing aids. During their preparation for their debut, the members learned different sign languages, including American Sign Language (ASL), International Sign Language (ISL), and Korean Sign Language (KSL).
Their first digital single, Glow, is set to release on April 20. Glow is a remake of a popular hit of the same name by first-generation K-pop group, H.O.T.
