From the earliest days of Korean cinema, filmmakers have utilized Korean Sign Language (KSL) as a powerful storytelling tool, crafting emotionally resonant stories that offer poignant insights into the lives of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. These films not only portray communication challenges, capturing the everyday realities and inner emotional landscapes of those who rely on sign language to connect with the world, but also amplify themes of resilience, inclusion, and empathy.
Here are eight notable South Korean movies that place sign language at the heart of their narratives:
Silenced
Based on a true story, ‘Silenced’ stars Gong Yoo as a teacher who uncovers horrific, long-term sexual abuse at a school for hearing-impaired students. The film exposes how communication barriers can make marginalised communities even more vulnerable, with KSL used throughout, amplifying the emotional impact and urgency of the students’ plight.
Bori
In this movie, Bori, an 11-year-old young girl living with her deaf family, begins to feel isolated as the only one who can hear. In her desperate attempt to fit in, she jumps into the sea and pretends she can’t hear after waking up in the hospital. The use of KSL is frequent and fluent, reflecting the everyday lives of deaf individuals in a naturalistic way on screen.
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance
This classic Korean movie follows Ryu, a deaf-mute man desperate to save his sister’s life. ‘Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance’ dives into the extremities of love, revenge, and desperation, with Ryu using KSL throughout, contributing to the film’s intense and isolating atmosphere. His inability to communicate verbally becomes a metaphor for being unheard in a chaotic, unjust world.
Hear Me: Our Summer
‘Hear Me: Our Summer’ is a heartwarming coming-of-age romantic film that explores the connection between two youngsters, one of whom is hearing-impaired. Sign language becomes a key part of their growing bond, offering a unique depiction of young love beyond words. The film’s soft tone and use of KSL depict communication not as a barrier, but as a bridge.
Sad Movie
‘Sad Movie’ is a melodrama film with an ensemble cast that comprises four different storylines. One follows the love story between Jin-woo, a firefighter, and his girlfriend Soo-jung, a sign language interpreter at a TV station. Another storyline features Soo-eun, a deaf character played by Shin Min-Ah, who uses sign language in some scenes.
GLOVE
Based on a true story, ‘Glove’ follows a hot-tempered former baseball player who is sent to the countryside to coach a team of hearing-impaired players. As he trains the team for the nationals, their difficulties communicating with one another create problems. Sign language here isn't just a mode of communication—it's a symbol of teamwork and trust.
Midnight
‘Midnight’ is a 2021 suspense-thriller that revolves around a deaf woman who becomes the target of a serial killer after witnessing his brutal crime. The film builds tension by immersing the audience in her perspective, often using silence and KSL to intensify the experience. Jin Ki-joo delivers a powerful performance as the lead, showcasing her skilful command of KSL.
Adada
One of the earliest Korean films to feature a hearing-impaired protagonist, ‘Adada’ is a historical classic about a mute woman navigating a world that continuously mistreats her. Her silence and use of gestures in place of formal sign language highlight how differently-abled individuals were marginalised in the past. The film remains a poignant reflection on social exclusion and the yearning for connection.
From early classics like ‘Adada’ to contemporary thrillers like ‘Midnight,’ these eight films all place sign language and the experiences of the hearing-impaired at their core, reminding us that stories told through the hands can be just as moving, if not more so, than those told with voices.
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