Kakao Entertainment announced that it released the official sign language names for its brand, created in collaboration with the deaf, in a webtoon on the 14th.
The sign language webtoon was initiated at the 20th Seoul Sign Language Festival with Kakao Entertainment, Kakao, which is the largest cultural festival for the deaf held in June. Kakao Entertainment hosted the 'Closer, Kakao Entertainment Sign Language Name Creation Contest' and selected sign language expressions for the three brands: Kakao Entertainment, Kakao Webtoon, and Kakao Page.
The official sign language names were created intuitively, reflecting the experiences of the deaf language. First, the sign language for 'Kakao Entertainment' is depicted by drawing a circle with the brand's first consonant, which symbolizes laughter, 'ㅋ', followed by crossing both hands in front of the chest up and down to express joy. This conveys the message of bringing laughter and joy to global users. 'Kakao Webtoon' involves one hand spreading out like a smartphone while the other hand expresses the 'ㅋ' symbol by sweeping up as if scrolling, while 'Kakao Page' is created by matching the 'k' symbol with the palm and depicting a book before unfolding it.
The sign language webtoon containing this content was illustrated by Kang Yeo-reum, who is also active as a writer and illustrator for Kakao Webtoon 'RAINBOW'. The webtoon has been released through Kakao Webtoon, Kakao Page Instagram, and the Seoul Association of the Deaf's website.
A Kakao Entertainment official noted, 'Webtoons and web novels are visual-centered content that allows both the deaf and hearing people to experience entertainment in the same way,' adding, 'I hope the officially adopted sign language names will serve as another bridge connecting webtoons, web novels, and the deaf.'