Big Ocean: France caught in the wave!

At Asia Artist Info, we’re big fans of Big Ocean! Just weeks after their first visit to France for a concert at K-Expo and the shooting of their FLOW music video in La Défense, we had already had the chance to ask a few questions to Jiseok, PJ, and Chanyeon (interview available here). We didn’t think they’d come back so soon — and yet…

Formed in 2024, Big Ocean is the first K-pop group made up of hard-of-hearing members. To sing and dance, they rely on new technologies: artificial intelligence for music production, smartwatches, and light signals for their choreographies. In just one year, Jiseok, PJ, and Chanyeon have already released two mini-albums and gathered nearly two million fans worldwide.

To celebrate their first anniversary and the release of their second mini-album Underwater, Big Ocean made a splash with their first European tour in April. Traveling through Switzerland, Italy, the UK, and France, the three boys met their fans, the “Pado” (“wave” in Korean).

We attended both of the French tour dates — sold out — at Café de la Danse in Paris and Secret Place in Montpellier. And let’s just say: Big Ocean set the stage on fire! Quite ironic, isn’t it?

The Pado Meet Big Ocean

Though the concert wasn’t starting until 8 p.m., Passage Louis-Philippe — where the very intimate Café de la Danse is located — was already packed with fans four hours in advance. The reason was simple: the luckiest Pado had a date with the members of Big Ocean for a fan benefits session before the show, a practice that’s become increasingly common with K-pop artists and groups.

The fan benefits took place in the venue’s pit: fan chat (one minute of conversation and autograph from each member), fan sign (a signature from each member), and a group photo preceded by a hi-touch.

Jiseok, PJ, and Chanyeon’s generosity, kindness, and smiles easily made up for the minor hiccups, like group photos that felt a bit rushed at the end. These small details didn’t stop the fans from enjoying their special moment with Big Ocean and eagerly anticipating the performance.

Once the fan benefits ended, the venue filled up. It really was a sold-out crowd: with over 400 fans packed in, we could have used more space! To warm up the room, the Pink Blood Crew performed a few dance covers to songs by aespa, Tomorrow x Together, Stray Kids, Enhypen, and BTS’s Permission to Dance, which features sign language choreography. Unsurprisingly, they ended with FLOW, a Big Ocean track, to get the crowd in the mood.

Baby, I just wanna get your attention…

It was also with FLOW that Jiseok, PJ, and Chanyeon made their entrance on stage, dressed in blue and white outfits. Joined by the Pink Blood Crew, the trio dove into a high-energy choreography, setting the tone for the rest of the show. Each member then introduced himself amid loud cheers from the audience: Jiseok in French, PJ by getting the crowd to chant his name, and Chanyeon in English, always with his trademark smile.

The room heated up as Big Ocean performed several of their earlier tracks and brighT, a single released just weeks before their new album Underwater. To mark the transition into this new, slightly darker, more mature… and sexier era, the members removed a layer of clothing! PJ dropped his jacket to reveal an open shirt and bare chest, Chanyeon wore a crop top, and Jiseok sported an open-back shirt. PJ put it plainly: with Underwater, they went for something “hotter”! Judging by the fans’ screams, we believe it!

During ATTENTION, the lead single from the new album, the members' light outfits and choreography revealed some surprises: the words “wave” and “Paris” written on PJ and Chanyeon’s collarbones, and a heart on Jiseok’s — all slowly fading with the heat and sweat of their passionate performance.

But the most intense moment of the night came with PJ’s solo performance of SINKING. A song about heartbreak and two shattered souls, it’s one that brings PJ to tears when he listens to it alone in bed. Starting seated on a chair, PJ was lifted by a desperate energy, rising to his feet in a nearly theatrical style, swept away by the lyrics: “I tried and I tried to make you believe / You were the story I wanted to read / But my heart is sinking / I'm not gonna make it.” He likely moved many more Pado to tears (us included), performing the entire song in sign language as choreography.

What did we think of the show?

Like the Pado, we were swept away by Big Ocean’s wave: generosity and positivity are the key words behind Jiseok, PJ, and Chanyeon’s performance.

Although the trio still performs mostly with playback, they more than make up for it with their energy and dedication on stage — each member gives their all during the choreographies and lip-syncing. The group is also working on ways to use AI to help them perform live in the future.

That same energy was reflected in the crowd, which was wonderfully diverse, including many deaf or disabled individuals. The audience was also very respectful toward the members, applauding throughout the concert in sign language instead of clapping.

Jiseok, PJ, and Chanyeon gave it their all from start to finish despite the heat and fatigue, while remaining incredibly generous with their fans. They gave away Polaroids to fans celebrating birthdays and even held a selfie session after the show. The bond between the members is undeniable, both in their choreographies and in their on-stage moments: when PJ had mic issues, he had to nearly cling to another member just to be heard. As Chanyeon said in London (a moment that went viral): “It’s not BL!”

In short: we can’t wait to see Big Ocean again. And we hope it’s very soon!

Gabin Fontaine