How did BTS’ ‘Sure Choreography’ that moved the world’s deaf

 

 

“Isn’t there a more special performance that can deliver a hopeful message?” ‘That choreography’, which is a hot topic on social media these days, started from such a concern. In the pandemic era that has lasted for over a year, the message of the lyrics, 'Let's all do our best', meets 'that choreography' and doubles in meaning. It is the sign language choreography that appears in the new song 'Permission to Dance' released by BTS on the 9th.

BTS will present a choreography using sign language movements that mean 'fun', 'dance' and 'peace' in the passage where they all say "Nana Nana~" in the second half of the song. The motion of scratching the body up and down with the thumb extended and the other fingers halfbent is 'fun', the motion of moving the two fingers of the other hand left and right using the palm of the left hand as a stage is 'dance', and the two-handed V motion is 'peace' ' contains the meaning of This song is a concept in which the future BTS will blow purple balloons to us who live in the present in 2021 to announce the end of Corona 19. There was a fear that the meaning would not be conveyed properly because the body had to dance while shaking, but he said he wanted to express a hopeful message in detail.

In order not to distort the choreography that started with a good meaning, BTS members and the choreography team paid special attention to the precise expression of sign language movements. Big Hit Music said, "After determining representative words and symbolic movements, we tried to express them through choreography, and went through the process of discussing with experts (such as deaf and sign language interpreters) several times to check whether the message was delivered well. In fact, they made the choreography together. In addition to the precise movements, what the members paid most attention to is the expression. Experts say that facial expressions are particularly important. For example, a sign language gesture that means 'pleasant' also has the meaning of 'nice to meet'. In order for the members to understand the lyrics of “have fun” for the deaf, they have to put on a happy expression on their faces. Deaf YouTuber Hadal said on his personal channel, "The most important thing for sign language is to make an expression. BTS expressed a lively feeling and a happy expression really well.”

Many people around the world are moved by this effort. There are many videos on social media, especially of the deaf, following the 'sign choreography. Recently on social media, he said, "My cousin was happy watching the music video and saying, 'Wow, he told me to dance'. Hearing this, I was crying,” a moving story came up and gathered topics. It is also a hot topic among farmers in the country. Kim Dong-ho, a sign language interpreter who interprets government briefings related to COVID-9, said, “The deaf people first discovered it and shared the video.”

It is not special because it simply uses sign language in the choreography to convey the message that we are all one. Interpreter Kim Dongho said, “For the deaf, music is the most distant genre in culture. There is a cultural distance where you have to go a little further to understand the lyrics and follow the dance. Even those who have hearing to hear music feel the sound of the music 'hum' and vibrate. However, this time BTS has reduced the difference in that by expressing the choreography movements that match the lyrics in sign language, even the deaf can immediately recognize the meaning and enjoy it together.” In the era of the pandemic, deaf people who read their mouths while wearing a mask are having particular difficulties in communication, so BTS' attempt is even more special.

It reminds me of the role of a 'celeb' in that BTS's influence is great. Just as the historical drama <Mr. Sunshine> made teenagers study ‘medical disease’, the sign choreography of ‘Permission to Dance’ is having the effect of attracting ARMYs (the name of BTS’s fan club) to become interested in sign language. ARMYs convey the meaning of sign language on their personal blogs, and even share the National Institute of the Korean Language sign language dictionary. In Korea, the law was revised in 2016 and the expression ‘sign language’ has been changed to ‘sign language’, which is recognized as a single language. The sign language used in ‘Permission to Dance’ is ‘International Sign Language’ (international sign language) that is used internationally like English. The ARMYs also convey information that the Korean sign language is different for 'dance' and 'peace'. Interpreter Dongho Kim said, “The effect of each act of a celebrity is huge. I can feel the sincerity in sharing music for the deaf around the world using international sign language. I am grateful for the meticulous consideration of the socially disadvantaged and those who receive less attention.” World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on social media, "This will be of great help to the 1.5 billion people around the world who have difficulty enjoying music due to hearing impairment."