Home » News » BTS' RM receives thanks from hearing-impaired K-pop group Big Ocean's Kim Ji-seok for school donation
BTS' RM receives thanks from hearing-impaired K-pop group Big Ocean's Kim Ji-seok for school donation
The group is made up of rapper Lee Chan-yeon (26), rapper Kim Ji-seok (21), and primary vocalist Park Hyun-jin (25).
Apr 19, 2024
Big Ocean and BTS' Kim Namjoon
Set to make their big debut on April 20, which is also Korea's Day of Persons with Disabilities, 'Big Ocean' will be the first idol group from South Korea to have members who have hearing problems. The group, which is signed to Parastar Entertainment, is made up of rapper Lee Chan-yeon (26), rapper Kim Ji-seok (21), and primary vocalist Park Hyun-jin (25).
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As preparations for their debut began, so did the various talk shows, and in one such interview, Kim Ji-seok was asked if there was anyone he would want to collaborate with, and the rapper spoke about the leader of the world's biggest group, BTS' RM. However, the reason he gave has caused fans, especially ARMY, to admire their favourites even more. Kim Ji-seok said that he also wanted to thank RM because, due to the donation Kim Namjoon made to his school, he was able to become an idol.
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 when I was a student. Thanks to him, I got a chance to discover dancing and come in contact with cover songs. I became more interested in music, so it would be nice to do a collaboration with RM if I get a chance someday."
ARMY was in awe of Namjoon as the man kept proving why he is someone so many people admire and love all around the world.
About Big Ocean:
Talking about the members of the group, all three have had hearing loss at some point in their lives. Park Hyun-jin lost his hearing at the age of three, Lee Chan-yeon went deaf at the age of eighteen, and Kim Ji-seok was born deaf. Despite their hearing impairments, they can all lipread to communicate and use cochlear implants and hearing aids without difficulty. But at first, they couldn't communicate well in sign language.
However, it was not always easy, as they could not communicate well in sign language. They studied American Sign Language (ASL), International Sign Language (ISL), and Korean Sign Language (KSL) assiduously to be ready for their debut.
Their debut song is a rendition of "Hope" by H.O.T. with sign language expertly incorporated into the choreography. To combat misconceptions and biases, Park Hyun-jin hopes that Big Ocean will act as a bridge between people with and without disabilities. His intention is for them to be viewed by the public as a normal idol group that is exceptional and gifted despite their disability.
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