naceventures

On April 24, Big Ocean brought their ‘THE GREATEST BATTLE’ tour to Avalon Hollywood, delivering a night centered on inclusivity and community. The three-member K-pop group, comprised of Chanyeon, PJ, and Jiseok, was formed by Parastar Entertainment and the first K-pop group with members with hearing impairments. They opened the concert with “Cold Moon,” a track from their latest album, The Greatest Battle. While softer than some of the album’s other songs, the track still carried an energetic atmosphere that had fans cheering from the very beginning. They continued the show by performing every song from their first mini-album, Follow. The set began with “Glow,” followed by “Flow” and “Blow.” What made this section of the concert especially memorable was how, before each song, they took time to teach the audience what they wanted them to do during the performance, whether it was creating a wave from one side of the venue to the other or showing fans how to sign key words that were also incorporated into the choreography. These moments felt special because they encouraged everyone to be involved while also learning throughout the show. Before the solo stages began, fans saw a performance by Big Ocean’s first sub-unit, Big Ocean JJ, made up of PJ and Jiseok, as they performed “Bucket Hat.” The performance carried a youthful yet powerful energy from start to finish, something fans were especially excited for after watching a playful VCR introducing the iconic bucket hat and the amazing powers it had. After performing songs from their previous albums, each solo stage brought a unique atmosphere that allowed the audience to see a different side of each member while also hearing about the inspiration and passion behind their performances. One standout moment came during PJ’s stage, when Jiseok selected a fan from the crowd to play PJ’s “ex” for the duration of the song. That was when we met Miku, who had the chance to share the stage with PJ during his solo performance. We were able to speak with her afterward about the experience. “When I first got called on stage, I didn’t think they were talking to me, but when I realized it was for me, I was confused but also very happy to be chosen by the members to join PJ on the stage! It was truly an amazing experience being on stage and seeing PJ performing his solo song right in front of me. I also had so much fun acting as his ex. It was an unforgettable moment. I miss it already,” she shared. Toward the end of the show, Big Ocean performed their latest title track, “One Man Army,” which recently went viral on social media for both the group’s striking concept and the powerful message behind the song. “One Man Army” speaks about finding the courage and determination to keep fighting even when the odds are against you. Before the performance began, fans were first shown the music video, which added another emotional layer to the experience. Watching the group bring the song’s message to life on stage was powerful and captivating. Big Ocean is a group to watch for their powerful, deep passion for performing. They have created a community where everyone can feel heard and a part of not only at their concerts but also on social media. By incorporating sign language into their choreography, they bring inclusivity and learning opportunities into K-pop. Be sure to follow Big Ocean to keep up to date with its activities. A special thank you to Parastar Entertainment for making the experience possible!