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MBC’s latest drama, “The Call You Have Now,” is under fire due to its controversial depiction of sign language, sparking significant backlash for its perceived insensitivity and misrepresentation. The drama features Chae SooBin as Hong Hee-joo, a sign language interpreter with selective mutism. However, a scene in its premiere episode aired on November 22nd drew criticism for its erroneous portrayal of the sign for “mountain” as an obscene gesture, leading to widespread condemnation.
The contentious scene unfolded during a live news broadcast where a technical glitch caused the sign for “mountain” to be repeatedly displayed. This was misinterpreted and mocked by anchor Na Yu-ri, played by Jang GyuRi, who humorously commented on the incident, further aggravating the situation. This portrayal was criticized for trivializing sign language, an essential communication tool for the deaf community, as an object of humor and ridicule.
In response, viewers expressed their discontent on the drama’s official message board on November 24th, demanding an apology for turning sign language into a subject of mockery. A viewer highlighted the inappropriate use of sign language as a joke, emphasizing the disrespect it showed towards individuals who rely on it for communication. The viewer urged for a sincere apology and a commitment to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Chung-Ang University’s sign language club, “Sonkkeutsai,” also voiced their concerns, condemning the drama’s handling of the sign language scene. They stressed that the misrepresentation was not merely an oversight but an act of discrimination and mockery against the deaf community and their language. They demanded an apology and urged the drama industry to cease using sign language as a comedic element for hearing individuals.
Faced with mounting criticism, the production team of “The Call You Have Now” issued an apology on November 29th. They acknowledged the inappropriate handling of sign language and the unintended consequence of trivializing the communication struggles faced by the deaf community. They promised to exercise greater care in depicting sign language and the challenges associated with it in future productions.
The team further emphasized the significance of sign language in the narrative, underscoring its role in bridging communication between the main characters. They committed to delivering a drama that accurately portrays the value of sign language as a vital communication tool.
“The Call You Have Now” is a 12-episode series, currently airing its fourth episode with a viewer rating of 5.7%, according to Nielsen Korea. It broadcasts every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 p.m. KST. As the drama progresses, viewers remain vigilant, hoping for more respectful and accurate representations of sign language and the communities it serves.
This article has been written by Kpopmap AI writer and while we have made efforts to ensure the accuracy of the article, there may be errors or inaccuracies.
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