When The Phone Rings Producers Release Statement Apologizing For Controversial Sign Language Scene

By Ilin Mathew
December 2, 2024 07:42 +08

The producers of have released an official statement apologizing to the viewers for a controversial sign language sign from the premiere episode. They promised the audiences to take care of the issue and work hard to prevent such mistakes from reoccurring.

The production team of this mystery thriller drama came under fire after viewers expressed concern for belittling sign language. The producers released an official apology on Friday (November 29) addressing the issue. According to them, they had no intentions to mock sign language. However, the production team admitted that they fell short of creative ideas while portraying the difficulties faced by the people who use sign language.

The mystery thriller drama, starring Yoo Yeon Seok, Chae Soo Bin, Heo Nam Jun, and Jang Gyu Ri, premiered on Friday (November 22) at 9:50 pm KST. The first episode introduced Chae Soo Bin as a sign language interpreter, Hong Hee Joo. The introductory scene featured her interpreting a news program. She freezes on screens due to a technical glitch while signing the word mountain. The news team interpreted the sign as an obscene hand gesture.

The controversial scene captured the attention of several viewers. Audiences expressed their concern about belittling sign language. The producers of this MBC drama promised their viewers that they would work hard to ensure that this mini-series is remembered for conveying sign language as a tool for connecting a person with another individual.

Here is the Complete Statement by When The Phone Rings Producers:

We apologize for giving you cause for concern through part of a scene about sign language.

The production team is taking seriously the criticism that When the Phone Rings dealt with sign language inappropriately. In the process, mocked the deaf and Korean sign language.

As When the Phone Rings is a drama that was produced around the important theme of communication between people, we had no intention of mocking or belittling sign language, which is a precious communication tool for the deaf. However, we humbly acknowledge that during the production process, the production team fell short in their efforts to carefully study and portray the difficulties experienced by the deaf and those who use Korean sign language. As we wrap up the drama, we will work hard to prevent this mistake from reoccurring.

In When the Phone Rings, sign language is a subject in getting the two main characters to open their long-closed hearts and communicate. Through the journey of the two characters who struggle to understand one another's language before finally arriving at communication, we will work hard to ensure that [When the Phone Rings] is remembered as a drama that fully conveys the value of sign language as a tool that connects one person to another. We ask that you continue to watch our drama with interest and criticize us if something is lacking.

Once again, we bow our heads in apology.