On November 29, the production team of MBC’s Friday-Saturday drama “When the Phone Rings” (written by Kim Ji-woon, directed by Park Sang-woo and Wi Deuk-gyu) issued an apology through the viewers’ bulletin board, stating, “We apologize for causing concern with certain sign language scenes.”
The production team explained, “We take the feedback seriously that the drama’s depiction of sign language was inappropriate and resulted in mocking the Deaf community and Korean Sign Language. The intention was never to ridicule or belittle sign language, which is a precious tool of communication for the Deaf.”
They further admitted their shortcomings, “We humbly acknowledge the lack of sensitivity and effort in reflecting the challenges faced by the Deaf community and Korean Sign Language during the production process. We will do our utmost to ensure such mistakes are not repeated as we complete the work.”
The production team added, “Sign language plays a critical role in the story as it helps the two protagonists, who have long been emotionally closed off, open their hearts and communicate. Through their journey of understanding each other’s language, we aim to highlight the value of sign language as a vital tool for human connection. Once again, we sincerely apologize.”
The controversy stems from a scene in the first episode aired on November 22. In it, sign language interpreter Hong Hee-joo (played by Chae Soo-bin) encounters a broadcast mishap while interpreting a news segment on disaster preparedness, including landslides. The program freezes on Hong Hee-joo signing the word “mountain”, which is mistakenly interpreted as an obscene hand gesture.
After the scene aired, viewers expressed outrage. One viewer wrote on the bulletin board, “The sign for ‘mountain’ has been ridiculed and used as a joke by hearing individuals, causing trauma for the Deaf community. This portrayal is not only disrespectful but also discriminatory and hateful.” The viewer demanded an apology from the production team to the Deaf community.
Another viewer remarked, “The scene was clearly intended to be playful and humorous, but it was offensive and unsettling. Mocking sign language, a vital communication tool for the Deaf, is unacceptable. It’s baffling how anyone thought this could be comedic.”
Source: Daum
