There’s nothing like a warm day at the beach, swimming in the ocean as the sun glistens down below. It creates nothing short of a healing experience, as relaxation and serenity wash over you. On April 12, BIG OCEAN brought their own wave of euphoria to the Music Hall of Williamsburg for their second U.S. tour, “The Greatest Army.” Just as unpredictable as the sea can be, the group’s members – PJ, Jiseok, and Chanyeon – left the audience speechless by showcasing their evolved versatility on stage.
Since their 2024 debut as the first hearing-impaired artists in K-pop, BIG OCEAN have been actively opening a new inclusive space in music that transcends global boundaries. Through their signature performance style incorporating sign language, electrifying choreography and expressive vocals, they’ve stayed dedicated to continuously growing their message of acceptance.
Before their show in New York, the trio were up bright and early for an exclusive social shoot with EnVi. Exchanging greetings and laughs with one another, everyone was radiating with positive vibes from their energy on set. After showcasing their more playful sides in a game of “Who’s Most Likely To”, the members took turns locking in for their portraits. Turning the charisma all the way up, the atmosphere felt as if the room was watching a new piece of art being painted on a blank canvas. Like a butterfly hatching from its cocoon, BIG OCEAN have made it clear, they’ve found their footing this era.
While Team EnVi wrapped up the day’s shoot with the group’s team from Parastar Entertainment, it was only a prelude to the main event. As the night drew closer and the screen changed to the group’s official VCR intro, the crowd instantly switched from whispers of anticipation to roaring cheers. Coming from their first tour stop in Chicago, it was finally time for these three stars to make a splash in the big apple.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
Cold Moon: Kicking off with a bang, BIG OCEAN came to serve with smooth vocals and some serious Twilight energy. Just like the moon orbits the Earth, their fans – also known as PADOs – immediately surrounded the stage entranced by the boys’ charm. Decked out in matching beige and denim outfits, each member took turns confessing about the nervous but exciting natures of flirting. Teasing the audience with the chorus, “Cold moon, you know I love you / But I’ll never touch you, I’ll never touch you,” fans watched in surreal shock at how far they’ve come since debut. When even Timberland boots couldn’t stop them from hitting every sharp move, that’s when you know you’re in for a good time.
Stay With Me: Covers are inarguably one of the most intriguing elements of a K-pop concert, especially with how creative artists can be in rearranging its original composition. Any Korean drama fan could recognize the Goblin theme song “Stay With Me”, sung by CHANYEOL and Punch from its acoustic beats alone. But what if its instrumental became more classical? Putting their own spin on the soundtrack, BIG OCEAN delivered an orchestral rendition that drew the audience into even deeper focus. The stage suddenly transformed into a ballroom, with longer and graceful movements flowing across the floor. Maintaining their sync with one another in choreography, every member signed a majority of the lyrics which only made it more touching to watch.
Bucket Hat: Changing into comfier tank tops and wide-leg jeans, the subunit BIG OCEAN JJ did not come to disappoint. Made up of the group’s youngest members PJ and Jiseok, their 2000s hip-hop track came to life with rhythmic flow and precise moves using hat props. With their matching bucket hats tipped down their faces, fans still couldn’t keep their eyes off and it’s safe to say the words “bucket hat” have never been chanted louder. With their magnetic aura and the audience getting a closeup of a new maturity to them, this duo just proved all good things come in pairs.
Forest of Dreams: As a glistening purple sunset background came on screen, an angelic figure by the name of Chanyeon emerged from the shadows for his solo. Covering “Forest of Dreams” by Kinetic Flow, the crowd swayed with Chanyeon as he led them through melodic rapping. Explaining its meaning to PADOs, the song is about having a peaceful utopia to escape to when life gets stressful. Mirroring the group’s message of hope, Chanyeon expressed his wish for fans to find a safe space in them and made the crowd shout even more endearments in return.
One Man Army: Opting for darker red and black outfits, EnVi has only one thing to say to PJ, Jiseok, and Chanyeon: heading off into battle has never looked better. Coming off their newest EP, The Greatest Battle, the trio brought their own stories of hardship to the stage like never before. All three members played a part in composing for the first time, a milestone reflected in their passion and fighting spirit on stage. It became more than an anthem, but a bold statement to any voices of doubt or restriction put on them before. Showing off a more fierce side, BIG OCEAN has truly found their identity in opening up about the darkness to make way for the light.
HIGH NOTES
It’s easy to get lost in capturing every performance as your favorite artists are right in front of you while constantly wondering, “Wait, they’re actually real?” But as always, there’s nothing like a good ment at a K-pop concert to bring you back to reality. Fortunately for PADOs in the crowd, BIG OCEAN was working overtime on fan service to make lasting memories bound to become ingrained into everyone’s brains.
Every fan’s dream is to get noticed by their favorite artist, but to get pulled on stage by them? Cut the cameras. Officially taking the cake as the best birthday gift received by anyone in history, PJ entrusted a lucky fan to play the role of his ex-girlfriend for his solo performance of “Sinking”. But the generosity didn’t stop there, either. A game of trivia filled with questions certified for true fans were asked by the members, to which a few more fans who answered correctly went on stage to claim their prize of a group polaroid. Through witty one-liners and jokes shared between them, you could see the deep connection between BIG OCEAN and PADOs.
For a city that never sleeps, everyone secretly wished the night would never end. Even with a packed 16-track setlist, time flew by until their encore. Coming full circle, the group shared similar feelings of nostalgia with the audience as Jiseok noted, “This show feels so much like our debut stage.” But while the group faked their exit with “SLOW” as their last song, the members sneakily crept up to the venue’s balcony to surprise fans with a performance of “End of Time.” With fans dancing together and a disco ball illuminating shimmering lights across the room, the conclusion of BIG OCEAN’s New York show felt like the happy ending to a coming-of-age movie.
VERDICT
It seemed that admiration for the three members only grew stronger, as sentiments of exhilaration and acceptance echoed throughout the room. In an industry that emphasizes perfection with every note and move, BIG OCEAN’s biggest strength is authenticity.
Less than a year since their first US tour, each member’s live presence showcased a newfound confidence and growth in their journey. It’s hard to even imagine a world where PJ, Jiseok, and Chanyeon never pursued music, but now they’re living proof that labels can never define you. Channeling their fears into hope, BIG OCEAN is for all the dreamers of the world who want to truly live.
You can catch BIG OCEAN on the rest of their US tour through April. Stay updated with BIG OCEAN on Instagram, TikTok, X, and Youtube.
For more concert recaps, check out our review of FKA twigs’s show at MSG!
