Middle Finger Means 'San'?…MBC Drama Finally Responds to Sign Language Mockery Controversy

MBC Drama's 'Sign Language Mockery' Controversy
Sign Language Interpreter's 'San' Portrayed by Anchor as Finger Gesture Criticized
Viewers Call It a Horrible Scene... "How Is This a Joke?"
Production Team Apologizes, Claims No Intent to Mock

The sign language interpreter in the drama expressed the word 'san' (mountain), which the anchor (on the right) is depicting as a finger gesture. MBC 'The Call You Just Made'

The MBC drama "The Phone Call You Just Made" has been embroiled in controversy for mocking sign language, prompting the production team to issue an explanation and apology.

The production team of the drama "The Phone Call You Just Made" recently addressed the issue through the viewer bulletin board, stating, "We apologize for causing concern with some sign language scenes," and explained, "The drama was planned with 'communication' between people as an important theme, and there was absolutely no intention to mock or ridicule sign language, which is a precious communication tool for the deaf community."

The team humbly acknowledged, "However, we admit that our efforts to carefully consider and reflect the difficulties experienced by the deaf community and Korean Sign Language during the production process were insufficient," and added, "We will make every effort to ensure that the same mistakes are not repeated as we complete the work." They emphasized, "We will make every effort to ensure that the same mistakes are not repeated as we complete the work."

"This is 'san' (mountain), right? 'Moe san' (mountain)? Well done. You really gave them a taste of their own medicine. No, 'Moe san'."

After the problematic scene was aired, the viewer board was flooded with posts stating that the sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired was being ridiculed. Official website

The problematic scene appeared early in episode 1, which aired on the 22nd. In the drama, sign language interpreter Hong Hee-ju (Chae Soo-bin) was delivering news about a landslide when a broadcast error caused the sign for 'mountain' to be repeatedly shown. Then, anchor Na Yu-ri (Jang Gyu-ri) in the drama described this as a finger gesture insult and smiled. At this moment, Na Yu-ri raised and shook both middle fingers while saying, "This is 'san' (mountain), right? 'Moe san'? Well done. You really gave them a taste of their own medicine. No, 'Moe san.'"

Following this, the drama's viewer bulletin board was flooded with complaints accusing the show of mocking sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired. One viewer wrote, "There is a scene where the staff are murmuring because the sign language interpreter's hand gestures are portrayed as insults, but it is wrong for non-disabled people to insult and belittle sign language, which is a communication method for the hearing impaired, in this way." Another viewer also criticized, "It was truly a terrible scene," and added, "I am really perplexed as to why anyone thought this could be a joke."