Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

Big Ocean, first K-pop act with hearing impairments, makes 'music for everyone'

K-pop boy band Big Ocean, comprised of young men with hearing impairments, prevails over obstacles to debut as Korea's first "barrier-free" idol group, emphasizing hope and positivity in their music and striving to break down societal barriers.

2024-04-18

Disabilities are embraced at Parastar Entertainment, the one and only in Korea

Parastar Entertainment is launching the first K-pop trio with hearing impairments, Big Ocean, to challenge social stereotypes. The group's debut aims to promote inclusion and break down prejudices against people with disabilities.

2024-04-18

SM Entertainment helps children with hearing impairments through K-pop

SM Entertainment has collaborated with Samsung Medical Center to provide vocal and dance lessons from K-pop trainers to children recovering from implant surgeries through the SMile WoW Art School initiative.

2024-04-18

Stray Kids's Hyunjin donates 100 million won to help people with hearing impairments

Hyunjin of boy band Stray Kids donated 100 million won to help people with hearing impairments get hearing aides and rehabilitation sessions, his agency JYP Entertainment said Thursday.

2024-04-04

First K-pop group with hearing impairments, Big Ocean, to debut next month

The trio, under the label Parastar Entertainment, will debut on April 20, the Day of People with Disabilities.

2024-03-28

Kimchi factory owner gets prison time for not paying disabled employee for 16 years

The employer hired the victim with learning disability in 2005 and forced the employee to work10 hours a day and six days a week without pay. The job included moving Nappa cabbages, soaking the kimchi and cleaning the factory.

2023-11-28

Disabled activist files complaint with human rights watchdog over arrest during subway protest

Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (SADD) claimed that the arrest was illegal since the police used violence against the group's head, Park Kyeong-seok, and failed to inform him of his Miranda rights.

2023-11-28

'Colorful' exhibit highlights media art by artists with disabilities

Titled “Colorful,” the show is hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency (Kocca). It has four media artworks, two of which are pieces by artists from the Korea Disability Arts & Culture Center.

2023-11-24

Seoul Metro to block disability advocacy group's subway protests

The operator said Thursday it devised three-step measures to block protests at a meeting on Tuesday after disability advocacy group Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (SADD) resumed its protest on Monday.

2023-11-23

Disabled advocacy group resumes subway protests after two-month hiatus

A local advocacy group for people with disabilities held morning rush hour protests on the capital’s subways on Monday, urging the government to increase spending on mobility for people with disabilities.

2023-11-20