BIG OCEAN Returns with Second Mini Album ‘Underwater’

Big Ocean Marks Debut Anniversary with a Bold New Era in ‘Underwater.’

One year after their debut, BIG OCEAN is diving into uncharted territory with the release of their second mini-album, Underwater. Arriving on the anniversary of their debut (April 20th), the project marks a striking shift in sound and concept, showcasing a more mature and emotionally charged side of the group.

Titled Underwater: Embracing the Black Ocean, the album delves into the profound, instinctive emotions that lie beneath the surface. While their debut album Follow radiated with youthful energy and freshness, Underwater turns the tide with a darker, more alluring aesthetic, boldly embracing the unknown.

Inspired by the mythical figure of the Merman, the album paints the picture of a being caught between two worlds: human and sea. Haunted by longing, yet empowered by the ocean’s depths, the merman becomes a symbol of strength and transformation. “For the merman who embraces the deep, the ocean is no longer something to fear—but an endless space full of possibility,” the group shares.

PJ

In K-pop, the term “Black Ocean” traditionally carries a negative connotation—a silent protest where fans turn off their lightsticks during a group’s performance, creating a void of light and support. But with Underwater, BIG OCEAN reclaims and redefines the narrative. Rather than associating the black ocean with rejection or isolation, the group transforms it into a metaphor for hidden strength, vulnerability, and self-acceptance. By embracing the darkness instead of fearing it, BIG OCEAN invites listeners to see the black ocean not as a symbol of silence, but as a place where true identity can awaken and thrive. It’s a bold reinterpretation that challenges the norm, and in doing so, opens up new emotional depth in the K-pop landscape.

Chanyeon

Across four tracks, BIG OCEAN takes listeners through a cinematic journey of self-discovery and awakening:

• “SINKING” captures the pain of trying to hold onto love while slowly drifting apart—a raw portrayal of emotional weight pulling one under.
• “FADE OUT” represents a moment of realization. As the noise of the world fades away, only their true voice remains.
• “Attention,” the title track, brims with confidence and desire. With their merman identity fully embraced, BIG OCEAN calls listeners to dive into their world and get swept up in the emotional current.
• “End of Time” closes the album with a bittersweet reunion, set beneath moonlight and marked by promises of forever.

Each track builds on the last, forming a cohesive narrative that feels like watching a beautifully tragic film unfold. With Underwater, BIG OCEAN invites fans to witness their evolution—not just as artists, but as storytellers unafraid to explore the depths.

As the group marks this milestone, one thing is clear: BIG OCEAN isn’t afraid to go deeper.

And in doing so, they invite us all to find our own Black Ocean.

Image and Video: Parastar Entertainment