Navigating Waves: Big Ocean Discusses Their Enchanting New Single 'Slow' with DAY6's Young K and Future Aspirations!
By.Alicia Zamora
Big Ocean Unveils Future Aspirations, a Heartfelt Note to Fans, and Exciting News About Their Upcoming Single 'Slow'
A Conversation with Big Ocean
Alicia: Starting the Interview I just wanted to congratulate you guys on your debut and thank you for giving me this opportunity!
Big Ocean: Thank you so much for having us! We are thrilled to be here and share our story with you.
Alicia: We can start with introductions!
Chanyeon: Hi, I'm Chanyeon, the ‘cutie’ of Big Ocean.
Hyunjin: Hello, I'm Hyunjin, the ‘ice breaker’ of Big Ocean.
Jiseok: And I'm Jiseok, the ‘AI’ of Big Ocean.
Big Ocean: We are Big Ocean, a K-pop idol group. Our third single "Slow," featuring DAY6’s Young K, was released last Sunday, August 11th. We are here today to share more about our journey and music with you.
Alicia: How did preparing for your second single make you guys feel as a new group?
Hyunjin: From the time of our debut, many people have shown interest in us and liked us, so we practiced dancing diligently with the thought that we must show even better performances.
Alicia: What was the inspiration behind this new single ‘BLOW’?
Chanyeon: Our debut song, 'GLOW,' is part of Big Ocean's series of songs themed around nature. After that, we released 'BLOW,' which represents the wind. Following 'BLOW,' we have our next single, 'SLOW,' which carries a very meaningful message.
Hyunjin: There's a line in the lyrics that says, "take it slow," and that's really what we want to convey to the younger generation who may be struggling. Even if we take things slow, if we continue with persistence, we can reach even higher and further. We know this message is true because we've experienced it ourselves.
Jiseok: Many say we were trained slowly and that we started our journey at an older age than the average idols. But in the end, that didn’t matter because our Pados have been waiting for us. We hope that through this song, people can find comfort and stop worrying about being slower than others.
Alicia: How did you guys feel knowing this was your second single as a new group?
Jiseok: Since our debut, many people have shown interest in us and liked us, so we practiced dancing diligently with the thought that we must deliver even better performances.
Alicia: Out of both of your singles, which one would you guys say best describes Big Ocean as a group?
Big Ocean: The first song 'GLOW' expresses Big Ocean's story, and the second song 'BLOW' showcases Big Ocean's performance. Both songs encapsulate Big Ocean's identity well, so it's difficult to choose!
Alicia: What would you like to accomplish in the coming years?
Big Ocean: Our biggest goal is to meet more of our global fans through tours and fan meetings. We want to connect with as many of you as possible, share our music, and create unforgettable memories together.
Alicia: How do you guys stay healthy and fit while maintaining such a busy schedule?
Jiseok: Maintaining our health and fitness is crucial. We focus on a balanced diet, regular exercise, and ensuring we get enough rest. Staying active through dance rehearsals and workouts helps us keep up our energy levels.
Alicia: If you guys weren’t K-pop idols, what career do you think you would have pursued instead?
Hyunjin: I would have continued my journey as a YouTuber, sharing my experiences and advocating for understanding and inclusivity.
Chanyeon: I might still be working as an audiologist, helping others with hearing disabilities.
Jiseok: I would have likely pursued a career in skiing or sports, continuing to challenge myself physically.
Alicia: Do you have any advice for aspiring idols?
Hyunjin: Believe in yourself and your abilities. Work hard, stay dedicated, and never let any obstacles define your limits. Your passion and perseverance will pave the way to your dreams.
Chanyeon: Surround yourself with supportive people who uplift you and keep pushing forward. Every step, no matter how small, brings you closer to your goals.
Jiseok: Dream big and stay true to yourself. Authenticity is your greatest strength, and it will shine through in everything you do.
Fan Segment !
Alicia: I went ahead and posted a story on my Instagram for fellow Pados to ask questions!
Alicia: Starting with the first one. What other idol activities are you looking forward to exploring in your career?
Hyunjin: Our group name is Big Ocean. Just as the ocean is a source of energy for all life on Earth, we want to be remembered as a group that provides strength, hope, and uplifting energy to people around the world. I want to share songs that contain my worldview and story of sound. Someday, I hope to establish a museum or exhibition that tells my story, where I can communicate with fans through sign language. I will steadily achieve my goals as we continue our activities.
Chanyeon: I want to become a singer who can deliver hopeful messages and have a positive influence. I hope to become a singer who can exert influence even in international organizations like UNESCO and WHO someday. I also want to be a multi-communication idol who can communicate freely with fans through sign language, spoken language, and other various methods.
Jiseok: I want to sing a song that contains the honest life stories of each member without any embellishments. I want to show the public what has made us struggle and tired, how we overcame it, grew, and became stronger. During my time with Big Ocean, I hope to become an idol group that elicits a strong reaction like ‘Big Ocean is amazing!’ from everyone.
Alicia: What’s your happiest moment since debut/pre-debut?
Hyunjin: The support and energy from the audience during our debut was unforgettable. It truly felt like a dream come true.
Chanyeon: Meeting fans in person and feeling their love and support has been incredibly rewarding. Those moments are what I cherish the most.
Jiseok: Seeing the positive reactions and support on social media has been heartwarming. We are deeply grateful for all the encouragement.
Alicia: Are there any unique talents or hobbies that each member has that fans might not know about?
Hyunjin: I enjoy playing the piano!
Chanyeon: Fans might already know this, but I also have a passion for drawing. It's something I love doing in my free time.
Jiseok: I have a talent for maintaining a poker face and can switch from laughing to serious in an instant. It’s a skill that often surprises people!
Alicia: Is there any special message you would like to convey to your fans who have supported you from the beginning?
Hyunjin: We are deeply grateful for your unwavering support and love.
Chanyeon: You inspire us every day, and we hope our music brings you as much joy as you bring to us.
Jiseok: We promise to keep working hard to make you proud.
Big Ocean: Thank you for being part of our journey.
Alicia: What kind of collaboration would be a dream come true for the group?
Hyunjin: Collaborating with TXT’s Yeonjun would be a dream come true. His style and energy are incredibly inspiring. I'm actually planning to visit his VR concert next week, and I'm very thrilled to meet him, even in the VR world.
Chanyeon: I would love to dance with Shotaro from RIIZE. His dance skills are phenomenal, and it would be amazing to perform together. Recently, Jiseok and Hyunjin had a chance to do a challenge dance with Shotaro, and watching him dance right in front of me really fueled my passion to become an even better dancer.
Jiseok: Working with BTS’s RM would be an honor. His talent and leadership in the industry are something I greatly admire.
Alicia: What are the strengths each member brings to the group, and how do you use them to create your music and performances?
Hyunjin: Jiseok is an excellent member who is the main dancer and the core of our performance. His dance skills and dedication to choreography elevate our performances to a whole new level.
Chanyeon: Hyunjin is the mood maker who creates a warm and bright atmosphere. His ability to lift everyone’s spirits helps keep our team cohesive and motivated, and this shines through in our music and performances.
Jiseok: Chanyeon, with his many aegyo and expressive facial expressions, brings rich expressiveness to our group. His ability to convey emotions adds depth to our performances, making them more engaging and relatable to our audience.
Alicia: Have you had the opportunity to receive advice or mentorship from more experienced artists? If so, what was the most valuable piece of advice you received?
Big Ocean: Yes, we had the opportunity to receive advice from senior artists Shin Dong-yup and Tony An. They told us that we would face many unimaginable hardships and difficulties in the future. Their heartfelt advice to never lose confidence and to keep moving forward no matter the situation truly resonated with us. This guidance has tremendously helped us as we navigate our journey as a group.
Alicia: Ending the interview, is there any message you want to say to your fans?
Hyunjin: To all our amazing Pados, thank you so much for your unwavering support and love. Your energy and enthusiasm drive us to keep pushing our boundaries, and we are truly grateful for each and every one of you.
Jiseok: Your encouragement motivates us to strive for excellence every day. We are committed to becoming better artists with the hope of making you proud.
Chanyeon: We promise to continue doing our best and bringing performances that reflect our gratitude and dedication. Let’s keep creating more beautiful memories together!
Alicia: Please go support their new single “Slow” Featuring. Young K of DAY 6!!