[Exclusive Interview] Big Ocean Face Their ‘THE GREATEST BATTLE’ in Powerful New Era

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Chanyeon, PJ, and Jiseok share the emotional story behind their newest release and what it represents.

In just two years, Big Ocean has proven that music goes far beyond sound. Since debuting on April 20, 2024, with the digital single “Glow,” the trio — Chanyeon, PJ, and Jiseok — have been quietly but powerfully reshaping what a K-pop group can be. As the first deaf idol group in the industry, Big Ocean blends music, choreography, and multiple sign languages — including Korean Sign Language (KSL), American Sign Language (ASL), and International Sign Language (ISL) — into performances that speak to audiences around the world. Their mission goes beyond entertainment: it’s about challenging misconceptions, breaking down barriers, and showing that connection in music can be felt in more ways than one.

With every release, the group has continued to evolve both musically and artistically. From their early work to mini-albums like Follow and Underwater, alongside singles such as “Blow,” “Slow,” and “Bright,” Big Ocean have steadily grown more confident in their identity. Each concept has revealed new layers of the trio’s storytelling and performance style, reflecting a maturity that has developed year after year. Now, with the release of their third mini album THE GREATEST BATTLE, the group steps into their boldest era yet — just as they prepare to bring their music directly to international fans during their upcoming U.S. tour this April.

We recently caught up with Big Ocean once again to talk about THE GREATEST BATTLE, marking our third conversation with the group since their debut. It’s been a joy watching Chanyeon, PJ, and Jiseok grow into the artists they are today, and each interview offers a new glimpse into their journey. In our latest exclusive chat, the trio opens up about the message behind their newest album, how their performances continue to evolve, and what fans can look forward to as they take their next big step onto stages across the United States.

HELLOKPOP: It’s so good to have you back! Can each member share one highlight from the preparation period for this comeback?

Chanyeon: For me, the biggest highlight was developing our general concept. We watched movies together and talked about different topics we wanted to discuss. Then, the final decision was to talk about the fight we had during our lifetime. That’s how the main title “THE GREATEST BATTLE” came out.

PJ: For me, it was shaping the concept photos and overall visual tone. We worked together to shape a sharper, more defined presence that matched the album’s emotional intensity. Seeing that direction come together made this comeback feel different right from the start.

Jiseok: My highlight was connecting the storyline of the album. As we worked on the tracks and lyrics, we realized how consistently the idea of “battle” runs through each song — from survival to confrontation to inner control. I honestly felt a surge of excitement about the battle ahead.

HKP: Every comeback marks a new chapter. What kind of story are you hoping to begin with THE GREATEST BATTLE?

PJ: This time, we’re not just talking about hope. We’re talking about confrontation. THE GREATEST BATTLE begins with survival in “Alive.” It moves into defiance in “One Man Army.” Then it becomes a declaration of return in “Back”. And finally, in “Cold Moon,” it becomes something quieter — emotional control and maturity. It’s a story about realizing that THE GREATEST BATTLE isn’t only the one you fight against the world — it’s also the one inside yourself.

HKP: THE GREATEST BATTLE is such a powerful title. What does this “battle” represent for you — is it something internal, external, or symbolic?

Jiseok: We think the title feels powerful because the idea of a “battle” is universal. It represents the real fight of facing limits the world may place on you, while also overcoming moments of self-doubt within yourself. For us, it’s both external and internal — the visible pressure and expectations we navigate, and the quiet struggle to keep believing in who we are. This album reflects our actual journey, where outer conflict and inner growth intersect. Ultimately, THE GREATEST BATTLE is about choosing to stand again, even after you’ve questioned yourself.

HKP: What message do you hope listeners carry with them after hearing the album?

PJ: We hope listeners take away the idea that everyone has their own “greatest battle” — not necessarily the most dramatic one, but the one that makes you greater than ever. For us, the message is simple: we survived. And as long as we’re still here, the battle isn’t over. We hope that on your own battlefield, you will overcome your own greatest battle.

HKP: With “One Man Army” and “Cold Moon” as double title tracks, you’re presenting two different focal points. How do these songs complement or contrast each other emotionally and sonically?

Chanyeon: They are two sides of the same war.

“One Man Army” represents an external battle. Inspired by the spirit of an underdog victory, it carries the determination to stand your ground even when the odds feel overwhelming. The cinematic strings, heavy 808 bass, and explosive chorus build that sense of a final stand — a declaration that you won’t surrender.

“Cold Moon,” on the other hand, focuses on the internal battle. With its bright synth-pop and controlled groove, the emotion is restrained rather than explosive. It reflects maturity — not fighting loudly, but learning to manage and understand your own feelings.

They contrast in energy, but together they complete the story of confronting the world outside while mastering the struggle within.

HKP: Between the two, which track felt more emotionally vulnerable to record — and why?

Jiseok: It was “One Man Army” for sure. We all faced hardship, but at the same time we were trained to hide our emotions. We were asked to stay calm and never hold grudges on the surrounding circumstances. But this time, it was almost the first time it showed aggressive facial expressions. It was kind of unnatural for me to reveal it. After the preparation, we came to feel safer about showing every trivial emotion we’ve got.

Chanyeon: For me, it was actually “Cold Moon.” People might expect the softer song to feel safer, but in this case, it felt more exposed. Showing restraint was actually harder than showing power. Because the song doesn’t explode emotionally, it required me to hold those feelings in, endure them, and slowly transform that tension into strength — rather than releasing it all at once.

HKP: Do you see these songs as reflecting dual sides of yourselves — the fighter and the dreamer?

Chanyeon: Rather than a fighter and a dreamer, I think it’s more about two different kinds of fighting. We all have the side that fights fiercely and refuses to give up, and we also have the side that turns inward — confronting doubt, enduring tension, and growing through pain. This album lets those sides exist together. From declaring “I’m alive” to mastering yourself under a cold moon, it tells the full journey of fighting — the battles you face in the world and the ones you carry inside.

HKP: This is your third mini album. In what ways does this release show how Big Ocean has grown since your debut?

PJ: Since our debut with “Glow,” we’ve always carried messages of hope, resilience, and moving at your own pace through “Blow” and “Slow.” Back then, it was about holding onto that spark and encouraging people not to give up. With THE GREATEST BATTLE, it feels like we’re taking the next step, not just talking about hope but actually confronting what stands in front of it.

It’s less about introducing ourselves and more about reflection: we’ve fought, we’ve survived, and we’re stronger for it. The maturity shows in facing real battles, both outside and within, and turning them into proof of our existence.

HKP: Over the past year, your concepts and themes have noticeably matured. Was this evolution intentional, or did it happen naturally as you gained experience?

Jiseok: It wasn’t about trying to be darker or heavier on purpose. This album is a record of the fiercest battle we’ve gone through — constantly confronting prejudice and expectations since our debut. Rather than avoiding that reality, we chose to face it directly and turn it into music. In that sense, THE GREATEST BATTLE is both a reflection of that struggle and a declaration that we are still here, fully alive in this moment.

HKP: What creative risks did you take on THE GREATEST BATTLE that you might not have felt ready to take before?

Chanyeon: The first big step was embracing a much stronger, more defined identity this time, from the new logo to the overall visual direction. Since the album centers on different forms of battle, we built it in a more cinematic and symbolic way — with “One Man Army” expressing the scale and intensity of an external confrontation, and “Cold Moon” reflecting the discipline of an internal struggle. We also pushed our vocal intensity and rap delivery further to match that emotional weight. It required us to step outside our comfort zone and show a more determined side of ourselves.

HKP: Did any member discover something new about themselves during the creative process of this album?

Jiseok: For me, one meaningful discovery this time was through the solo rap section. It allowed me to explore a different kind of intensity and rhythm that I had not fully shown before. It was not just about delivering lines, but about carrying the emotional weight of the track in a more direct and grounded way.

HKP: If you could speak to your debut-era selves after completing this album, what would you tell them?

Chanyeon: I would probably just say, “Survive it.” There will be battles you don’t expect — moments of doubt, pressure, and feeling outnumbered, but don’t step away from them. You don’t have to win everything perfectly. Just stay in the fight. Because as long as you’re still standing, the story isn’t over.

HKP: If this album were a battlefield, what would be your greatest weapon — your voice, your unity, your vulnerability?

PJ: All of those are important weapons for us. Our voice, our unity, and our vulnerability all matter in different ways. But from the very beginning of our journey, we have believed our strongest weapon has always been sign language.

It is not just a performance element. It is part of who we are. It allows us to express songs and emotions in a way that feels deeply personal and visually powerful. At the same time, it connects us more closely with the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community while inviting a wider audience to experience music in different ways. That combination of authenticity and connection is our greatest strength on any battlefield.

HKP: How did you rely on one another while preparing this comeback?

Jiseok: I think it is always true that if you want to go far, you go together. There were long nights and intense preparations, but we kept encouraging each other through it. Sometimes, you just look at your brothers and that alone gives you strength. Even with so much to handle, it means a lot to know your team is right there with you. No matter how tough the process feels, I know I am not fighting that battle alone.

HKP: If a fan is going through their own “greatest battle,” what would you want them to remember while listening to this album?

PJ: The title “THE GREATEST BATTLE” might sound intense, but please remember that no battle is meant to be fought alone. If you are the general in your own battlefield, the people who love you are your strongest allies standing beside you. And we hope Big Ocean can be one of them, too. Even if we are not physically there, we want to be a voice that reminds you to keep going. No matter how tough your battle feels, we believe in you!

HKP: Lastly, please leave a message for your fans reading this.

Chanyeon: To everyone who has been walking with us through every chapter, thank you for standing beside us. We call it a “battle” because it isn’t just one dramatic moment — it’s built from surviving, enduring, standing back up, and learning to master yourself little by little. If you’re facing something right now, we hope you remember that even if you feel like a one-man army at times, you’re still here — and that means the story is still being written. On your own battlefield, we hope you overcome your greatest battle, and we’ll keep standing and fighting alongside you.