“When the Phone Rings” Faces Criticism for Mocking Sign Language: “No Intent to Offend, We Will Work to Prevent Future Occurrences”

Production Team Addresses Deaf Community’s Concerns

The production team of the new drama series expressed deep regret regarding the backlash over the portrayal of sign language, emphasizing their commitment to the Deaf community. They clarified, “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.”

When the Phone Rings - Yoo Yeon-seok Chae Soo-bin

In an effort to rectify their previous missteps, they further acknowledged their lack of sensitivity in portraying the challenges faced by the Deaf community. They stated, “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.”

Sign Language’s Integral Role in the Narrative

The team noted the significance of sign language in the storyline. “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.”

Inciting Incident Sparks Controversy

The controversy emerged from a specific scene in the first episode, which aired on November 22. In this scene, sign language interpreter Hong Hee-joo (played by Chae Soo-bin) experiences a broadcast error while interpreting a segment about disaster preparedness. The broadcast freezes on Hong Hee-joo signing the word “mountain,” but this is inappropriately interpreted as an obscene hand gesture.

Viewer Responses Highlight Discontent

Viewers reacted with outrage following the episode’s airing. One viewer articulated their concern, stating, “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.” They called for the production team to issue an apology to the Deaf community.

Another viewer reflected on the creative intent behind the scene, saying, “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.”