Members Nayeon, Momo, and Tzuyu of the group TWICE have joined a warm journey for creating a world where everyone lives together.
JYP Entertainment (hereafter JYP) has launched the social content "JYP 4 EARTH" as part of its ESG management starting in 2023. "JYP 4 EARTH" is a campaign in which JYP artists practice various activities for a better Earth and convey a positive perspective for a sustainable society. Last year, 2PM's Jun. K, Nickhun, and Wooyoung, along with ITZY, participated, and this year, TWICE's Nayeon, Momo, and Tzuyu are stepping up.
On July 31 and August 7, two videos titled "A World Where Diversity Is Respected" were released on JYP's official YouTube channel, in which Nayeon, Momo, and Tzuyu participated in the picture book making activity for children with illnesses, which has been ongoing since 2022 as part of JYP's representative CSR project "EDM (Every Dream Matters! : Every dream in the world is precious)". The book contains stories about characters with various disabilities living together, encouraging readers to reflect on the value of respect in a world where everyone can coexist.
Nayeon, Momo, and Tzuyu met with Lee Hyun-jeong, the head of Books International, which creates the EDM picture books, to discuss the emotional role of the picture books, the countries they will be delivered to, and the reasons for creating them in the native language of the children with illnesses. They conveyed encouraging messages to the children while reading the books and directly participated in creating a Tagalog picture book for children in the Philippines, completing a one-of-a-kind picture book with heartfelt efforts, such as traditional decoration and illustration work.
The three members did not stop at merely making the books; they also explored the characteristics of the four types of disabilities possessed by the protagonists, including physical disability, hearing impairment, developmental disabilities, and visual impairment, and under the guidance of Yoon In-sun, the Head of Team at the Korea Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, they broadened their understanding of various modes of communication by using assistive devices. They also highlighted the importance of language use by pointing out that expressions used carelessly in daily life, such as "computer disability," "system disability," and "choice disability," could instill negative perceptions of disabilities.
Wrapping up their activities, Nayeon, Momo, and Tzuyu said, "I was happy to be able to provide emotional support to children with illnesses through the picture books we made ourselves. We must remember that we live together in society despite our different characteristics. I believe that when hearts of understanding and consideration come together, a warmer world can be created. I felt it is important to cherish and love ourselves, as we are precious and one-of-a-kind in this world."
TWICE is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year with various activities, attracting worldwide fan attention. They released their 4th full album "THIS IS FOR" on July 11 and will begin their sixth world tour with performances in Incheon on July 19-20.
[Photo provided by JYP Entertainment.]
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