Voice AI technology helped deaf K-pop group Big Ocean’s unit deliver their voices with clarity and precision.

Big Ocean’s unit JJ, composed of Ji-seok and PJ, released their new song “Bucket Hat” last July 9.

For the song, Supertone, the AI company for voice under Korean entertainment company HYBE, partnered with Big Ocean for JJ’s “Bucket Hat.”

Big Ocean debuted in April last year as the first deaf K-pop group. They gained global attention for overcoming physical limitations and rewriting industry narratives.

For “Bucket Hat,” JJ faced the unique challenge of delivering English lyrics with clear pronunciation and accurate pitch, despite having limited auditory feedback.

Their agency, Parastar Entertainment, sought Supertone’s Controllable Voice Conversion (CVC) technology, which had already been proven effective through HYBE’s AI voice project with MIDNATT in 2023.

Unlike conventional AI tools that often struggle with inaccurate pronunciation, Supertone’s CVC technology allows for intentional and selective refinement of vocal elements, preserving the artists’ emotional nuance and unique vocal identity.

For JJ, Supertone created custom models based on their actual vocal data, then applied them to native guide vocals. This enabled precise articulation and improved pitch accuracy, helping the members overcome auditory limitations.

This AI technology helped expand Big Ocean’s global reach. Earlier this week, the artists and their label executive were invited to share their journey at the AI for Good Global Summit 2025 led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Switzerland, showcasing AI voice technology as a force for positive change in music.

“Previous AI tools we used tried to preserve the artist’s tone, but often resulted in replicating unclear pronunciation and muffled vocalization in the process,” said Haley Cha, CEO of Parastar Entertainment. “Supertone’s CVC technology not only secured the artist’s unique tone but also delivered the clarity and expressiveness that we needed for ‘Bucket Hat.’”

Kyogu Lee, president of Supertone, said, “Our partnership with Big Ocean is about more than just enhancing audio, it is about empowering artists to express themselves authentically through our technology. We are glad to have contributed to the artists’ journey in overcoming physical limitations t without compromising their identity.”

He added, “We hope this partnership serves as a fresh example of how technology can empower artists to navigate creative challenges more effectively and amplify their voice, while keeping their story at its core.”