This hard-of-hearing K-pop boy band uses AI to help them sing ...
In a world designed for the hearing, the first hard-of-hearing K-pop boy band’s debut has been made possible thanks to advanced technologies.
Breaking the Mould in the World of K-pop
In the glittering world of K-pop, where synchronised dance routines and pitch-perfect harmonies reign supreme, a boy band composed entirely of hard-of-hearing members is breaking the mould. Among Big Ocean's members, Jiseok was born with hearing loss, while Hyunjin and Chanyeon lost part of their hearing at ages three and 11, respectively. Before training to become K-pop idols, the members of Big Ocean were on completely different paths: Jiseok was an alpine skier, Hyunjin was a YouTuber, and Chanyeon was an audiologist. Yet, they all harboured dreams of becoming stars and defying the prejudice towards people with disabilities. Their new band debuted on April 20 to coincide with South Korea’s Day of People with Disabilities.
Technology and Innovation in the Music Industry
The band’s members and its management company, Parastar Entertainment, say technology played a significant role in helping Big Ocean become K-pop artists. All three members of Big Ocean wear hearing aids, and two of them have had cochlear implant surgeries. Cochlear implants work by bypassing the damaged inner ear and directly stimulating the auditory nerve with electrical signals, allowing the brain to perceive sound, while hearing aids are wearable devices that amplify external sounds. One of the challenges included synchronising their dance moves as each member uses different hearing aids.
The Role of AI in Vocal Performances
For hard-of-hearing individuals, singing can present challenges in perceiving pitch and rhythm accurately. To ensure that each member’s voice met industry standards, Big Ocean used voice conversion technology to modify and improve vocal performances in collaboration with Korean music production companies Muble and Samsong E&M.
According to Muble, its AI voice conversion service uses machine learning technology to convert or generate voices. Big Ocean’s first song was made by applying the AI models to a vocal guide recorded by Korean rapper Mac Curly. According to Parastar Entertainment, it took almost three months to gather the talking, conversational, singing and even rap voices of Big Ocean members in both Korean and English to reach the desired result of singing for the first song.
Challenges and Ethical Considerations
Experts believe emerging technologies like AI voice conversion will increase accessibility to music. However, experts warn that while the technology’s future is exciting, it comes with important responsibilities, specifically concerning the consequence of unequal access. Alina noted that there’s also a risk that over-reliance on AI might lead to a loss of the “nuanced human touch” that makes music so emotionally powerful.
Preparing for Stardom
From developing the band’s stage presence to providing sign language lessons, Parastar Entertainment says it tried not to overlook anything during preparation for Big Ocean’s debut. “One of the anticipated challenges was adapting our training methods to accommodate each member’s unique needs,” said Cha.
K-pop, a global phenomenon, has seen tremendous growth over the past decade. A report by Allied Market Research showed that the K-pop events market alone was valued at €7.4 billion in 2021 and is estimated to reach €18 billion by 2031. In 2021, K-pop label HYBE, a management company behind the band BTS, acquired singer Justin Bieber’s management company Ithaca Holdings. In an industry often criticised for its rigid standards and lack of diversity, Big Ocean is trying to reach a global audience.
