Big Ocean Makes Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia List, Redefining K-pop with Inclusivity
In a groundbreaking achievement that highlights both their talent and social impact, K-pop boy group Big Ocean has earned a spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia 2025 list under the Entertainment & Sports category. The group—comprised of members Chanyeon, PJ, and Jiseok—stands out not only for their music but for being the world’s first hearing-impaired idol group.
Published on June 14 (local time), Forbes commended Big Ocean’s innovation and compelling story, spotlighting the group’s trailblazing work in the music industry. “The K-pop group Big Ocean is gaining attention globally,” the report stated. “Their label, Parastar Entertainment, focuses on supporting artists with disabilities.”
What makes Big Ocean revolutionary isn’t just their origin story. Their unique approach to music features AI-assisted vocals and the use of special vibration devices during performances to help synchronize their choreography. Their efforts culminated in their debut mini-album, released in November 2024, which has been met with widespread attention and has helped the group accumulate over 1 million Instagram followers.
Big Ocean shares the Forbes 30 Under 30 spotlight with fellow K-pop group Stray Kids, reflecting the genre’s ongoing dominance and global influence. Forbes’ prestigious list celebrates the most influential individuals under 30 who are shaping the future across various industries including tech, business, entertainment, and science.
Recently, Big Ocean showcased a more mature artistic evolution through their second mini-album Underwater, led by the title track ATTENTION. Breaking away from their earlier ‘refreshing’ vibe, the group delivered a bold and intense performance, signaling their growth and continuous reinvention.
From musical innovation to impactful representation, Big Ocean is not just rewriting the rules of K-pop—they are creating an entirely new language for it.
