Yoo Yeon Seok & Chae Soo Bin’s ‘When the Phone Rings’ Team Apologizes for Sign Language Controversy
The latest South Korean series to capture audiences' attention is "When the Phone Rings," starring Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae Soo Bin in leading roles.
The latest South Korean series to capture audiences’ attention is “When the Phone Rings,” starring Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae Soo Bin in leading roles. This gripping drama follows the lives of two individuals who enter a marriage of convenience, only to have their relationship drastically altered by a shocking incident.
However, the show recently found itself at the center of controversy due to a scene involving sign language. The production team issued a formal apology on December 2, 2024, acknowledging their shortcomings in accurately portraying the challenges faced by the deaf community and sign language users.
The controversy arose from a scene in the first episode, which aired on November 22, 2024. In the episode, Hong Hee Joo (played by Chae Soo Bin), a sign language interpreter for a news program, encounters a transmission glitch during a live broadcast. The program freezes on her signing the word ‘mountain,’ which is misinterpreted as an obscene gesture.
Based on the web novel “The Number You Have Dialed” by Geon Eomul Nyeo, “When the Phone Rings” explores the complex and distant marriage of Baek Sa Eon and Hong Hui Ju. Their relationship began as a marriage of convenience, with the couple coexisting in silence for three years. However, their stagnant marriage is upended when Hui Ju is kidnapped by an unidentified individual.
This shocking event forces the couple out of their emotional distance, compelling Sa Eon to confront his feelings and reevaluate their relationship. As secrets unravel, the couple’s lives take an unexpected turn, transforming their marriage in ways neither could have anticipated.
Yoo Yeon Seok takes on the role of Baek Sa Eon, who comes from a powerful political family and has built an impressive career as Korea’s youngest presidential spokesman. On the other hand, Chae Soo Bin plays Hui Ju, the daughter of a prominent newspaper proprietor. Despite her prestigious lineage, her life has been shaped by tragedy; an accident in her childhood left her mute.
The series promises to be an emotional rollercoaster, exploring themes of love, relationships, and personal growth. With its talented cast and gripping storyline, “When the Phone Rings” is definitely a must-watch for fans of Korean dramas.
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