I woke up Saturday (04/19) afternoon to a lot of Twitter notifications, which is very unusual for me. They were all from people I didn’t know reaching out to me to tell me that Keonhee talked about me during his live video. At this time there weren’t any complete translations, but I was still in awe. By the end of the day I had received two partial translation videos from a complete stranger and by last night, I received this one. This is a four and a half minute long video where he talks about me, a Korean HOH fan, and a number of his thoughts. I’ve watched it countless times and I still cry. He begins by explaining the situation in detail, my disability and just what it entails. Something I typically have to explain to people, because they just don’t understand. He then goes on to say that the situation was very touching and that he was thankful since it was a situation that must have been difficult for me. This is something that immediately touched my heart. I have always thought that singers or musicians might find it insulting when a hard of hearing or deaf individual enjoys their music. There’s even a common joke that when a song sounds bad you say “it’s music for the deaf.” This perspective I’ve had for so long is immediately thrown out the window by him multiple times in this video. It feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. “I’m so thankful that you came to the concert because of your love for us.” Next, he mentions me looking back and forth from the interpreter to them, going “ah is that so”, and smiling a few seconds later. Not only is this an observation you have to look for, but it also highlights my delay in processing in a new positive light. It’s almost as if he found it endearing. The way he described it is exactly how it happened live. While everyone else was reacting to what they said, I was still getting the information, and ended up smiling a little later than everyone else. He also mentions that he was concerned for me. Which makes me wonder if he was watching to make sure I got the messages. He was scared that if he was too considerate or treated me too differently, that I would take his actions as discriminatory. Though, I would never, it also shows that he wanted to make sure I was comfortable and avoid any potential misunderstandings. So, he treated me like any other fan. He made eye contact, waved hello, and said “I love you.” All of which, I have beautiful videos and images of that I’ll never delete or forget. Now, to me, what he did was already so amazingly thoughtful and kind. I almost don’t understand what he means when he says “I could have been more considerate.” To me, this is the most considerate anyone has ever been to me before. “It must be hard to listen to music”, it is. I have to have special headphones, I have to have the car volume turned all the way up, I have to have special sound settings. I’ve never considered it difficult, because it’s just the way life is for me now. However, in comparison to everyone else, I suppose it is. I’ve never considered these things to be important. Much less did I ever consider an artist I enjoy to find these things meaningful. I can see it now, why you might think that way. I want to listen to music so bad that I spend the extra money on the headphones, I spend the extra time looking for translations and lyrics, and I blow my car speakers trying to enjoy it. He’s right, it takes a lot of effort for me to listen to music, but they’re worth it to me. “Despite that they still like us. Even if it’s difficult, they still listen to our music. It was so so so so touching” He goes on to mention his goals and motivations coming from this. I motivated him. My disability, motivated him. He’s already done so much, and yet he’s motivated to do more. To bring good feelings to those who experience music through touch or to at least write lyrics that touch their heart. The deaf and hard of hearing community simply do not receive this kind of acknowledgment in every day life, much less in the music industry. It warms my heart to see him thinking of ways he can continue to make us, me, happy and enjoying the music he creates. “I didn’t have time to say these words directly.” He didn’t have the time while I was there, so instead he kept it with him. He kept his thoughts and emotions with him for two weeks before finally finding the time to talk about it. “That’s why right now without any misunderstandings or time limits, I wanted to convey what I feel.” He truly was so moved and happy just by my being there. Which is almost incomprehensible to me. “I’m really so thankful that you came” and I, am really so happy that I went. Keonhee and Oneus have given me an experience I will never forget. This is something that is going to be with me my whole life in a very positive way. I must say, it’s very nice to have such a kind and thoughtful experience to carry with me. Needless to say, I won’t be missing any of their future tours and endeavors. Even long after I’ve lost the rest of my hearing.
the purest soul he deserves all the love he receives and more 🥺 those fans are next level, attending the concert with an interpreter. not to discount able bodied fans' support but i'm glad fans like that also caught keonhee's attention to really hammer in the fact that they are receiving extraordinary amounts of love from all kinds of fans. i hope it keeps giving them more energy and inspiration like they give us 💖 i'll look forward to keonhee's lyrics 😭
This is as my friend Tasha ❤️😢 she is literally the coolest sweetest person ever, and I’m so glad her idols reflect that kindness and are so respectful
![[ENG] Keonhee talking about fans with hearing problems](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
