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| Photo Cr. Cheyenne Chong-Hoover // KpopWise |
Closing out their U.S. tour stops, BIG OCEAN members PJ, Chanyeon, and Jiseok finish up "Ride the Wave: The 1st U.S. Tour 2025," at the Vinyl at Center Stage, an intimate midtown venue in Atlanta, Georgia.
Fans, affectionately known as PADO, gathered for VIP benefits that included group photos, Hi-Touch, a fansign, soundcheck, and polaroid selfies with the members. Anyone witness to these special interactions could see how much Big Ocean has impacted so many diverse groups of people, especially those whose first K-pop show would be Big Ocean that very night. The room was abuzz from start to finish.
While the extra interactions bookended the show, it was during their 14-song setlist (with a surprise performance of K-pop Demon Hunters' "Your Idol") that really set hearts alight. Each smile, tear, wave of a lightstick, or cheer, was a mutual feeling as the show went on and the members matched the energy of their fans.
Photo Cr. Cheyenne Chong-Hoover // KpopWise
Big Ocean as a group aren't just cohesive in typical K-pop performance fashion, they are also incredibly attuned to one another that their synchronicity, empathy, and general closeness could not go unnoticed. With some minor sound difficulties, they managed to seamlessly help one another pick up where they left off during the chats with fans or loaned a mic as needed. And when it came time for fan chants in songs like 'FLOW' they were sure to turn their eyes and hearts to PADO as they sang and danced along as one.
To mark the halfway point, each member showcased their unique talents that help create their cohesive group. Jiseok and Chanyeon performed their respective covers and PJ performed his solo song, "SINKING." There was no shortage of love for each stage and joy grew on their faces as they realized just how much fans had been anticipating finally seeing Big Ocean live.
Memories were made everywhere you looked: From silly sweet moments like confessing to PADO while his fellow members feigned jealousy and waited their turn, PJ was captivating hearts everywhere. Jiseok's dance skills earned awes from the crowd and staff, and Chanyeon was especially enamored with the fanmade lightsick, calling it a "blue ocean" as fans swayed along to songs throughout the night. Fans mentioned that it wasn't just the intimacy of the venue that made the night feel whole, but being immersed in how the sign language with the choreography and lyrics truly encompassed a warmth and level of inclusivity that only Big Ocean could bring.
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Photo Cr. Cheyenne Chong-Hoover // KpopWise
'SLOW,' recorded with DAY6 member Young K, held the second-to-last song slot on the setlist. Arguably the perfect place for it as the members and fans sang together finding comfort in the words of moving at your own pace in life and knowing even as fans and artist, the music and warmth is always shared. This set the mood for another meaningful ending song, 'End of Time' that left fans reeling on the wonderful evening and anticipating a long future for PADO and Big Ocean.
This tour was and is truly a culmination of their hard work and dedication to their music and fans. See them in Atlanta again in October at the 2025 Korean Festival!
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