Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae Soo Bin’s When the Phone Rings has issued an apology for the recent controversy surrounding the mockery of sign language.

On November 29th, the drama’s production team released a statement on the viewer’s board addressing the issue. The statement began by saying, “We take the criticism about the improper handling of sign language very seriously, especially as it led to the mockery of the Deaf community and Korean sign language.”

They went on to clarify, “The drama’s theme centers around ‘communication’ between people, and there was absolutely no intention to mock or belittle sign language, which is a vital communication tool for the Deaf community.”

However, the production team admitted, “We humbly acknowledge that we did not give enough attention to the struggles of the Deaf community and the importance of Korean sign language. We will ensure that such mistakes do not happen again in the future.”

The statement also highlighted the role of sign language in the drama, saying, “Sign language plays a crucial part in the relationship between the two main characters as they learn to communicate with each other. Through their journey, we want to show the true value of sign language as an important tool that connects people.”

The production team concluded by asking for viewers' continued support, saying, “We hope you will keep watching the drama and point out any shortcomings you notice.”

Earlier, in the first episode of When the Phone Rings, which aired on November 22nd, a mistake occurred when sign language interpreter Hong Hee Joo (played by Chae Soo Bin) mistakenly used the sign for "mountain" while trying to interpret "landslide" due to a broadcast error.

This led to the sign being misunderstood as a finger gesture commonly seen as offensive, sparking backlash.

After the episode aired, a viewer posted a complaint on the viewer’s board, asking for an apology for mocking sign language.

The viewer explained that the sign for "mountain" is different from the offensive gesture and that using it in this context was hurtful to the Deaf community, as it has been used as a joke by hearing people.

The post described this as an act of discrimination and mockery, calling for a more respectful approach.

Source: [1]

NewJeans has made waves after announcing their decision to terminate their exclusive contract with their agency, ADOR.

Now, the group is taking matters into their own hands by directly reaching out to global luxury brands to negotiate ambassador contracts. However, this bold move is raising concerns and sparking controversy in the entertainment industry.

According to sources on December 18th, NewJeans recently attempted to contact luxury watch brand O, negotiating a two-party contract through their manager A, who is still affiliated with ADOR.

This move came after NewJeans declared the end of their contract with ADOR on November 29th. Insiders claim that NewJeans began bypassing their agency, reaching out to advertisers on their own with the help of ADOR staff.

In an interview, Manager A revealed, "I conveyed NewJeans' intention to continue fulfilling their advertising contracts as planned, even after the contract termination." This admission sparked controversy, as it implied that NewJeans was trying to negotiate directly with advertisers, which may violate the terms of their previous agreement with ADOR.

During their press conference announcing the termination of their contract, NewJeans assured the public that they would continue with their scheduled events and advertisements, with the full support of ADOR.

However, it seems that the group may have gone behind ADOR’s back to pursue a deal with brand O, which could result in legal issues.

Legal experts have pointed out that these actions could potentially be seen as a breach of the exclusive contract, warning that it may lead to serious consequences for NewJeans in any future legal disputes. In addition to brand O, it was reported that NewJeans also attempted to directly approach another luxury brand through a different manager, B, who left ADOR.

As the situation continues to unfold, ADOR has taken action. Manager A has been placed on standby, and ADOR has informed brand O that any direct contract with NewJeans could be seen as a violation of their agreement. The agency has also told other potential advertisers that all deals involving NewJeans should be coordinated through ADOR.

The ongoing drama has left many fashion brands cautious about working with NewJeans. Sources say that brands, once eager to sign the group for major ambassador deals, are now reconsidering their options.

One industry insider commented, "NewJeans was a group that had a lot of potential, but with this situation, it’s hard to say if brands will take the risk. It’s a shame because they were on track to be as big as BLACKPINK."

As confusion continues to grow, many are questioning if NewJeans’ "self-independent" move will hurt their reputation in the fashion world. The group's popularity is undeniable, but the risks associated with bypassing their agency might cause some brands to think twice.

Source: [1]