Insurer helps teenager better understand the disabled

Sooyoung of girl group Girls’ Generation, third from left, and Kang Kyung-sung of boy band Noel, sixth from left, pose at the preview of “Perfect Sense” held at Seoul National University Girls’ Middle School in Seoul, Thursday. The special drama produced by Samsung Fire and Marine Insurance aims at enhancing teenagers’ understanding of the disabled. / Courtesy of Samsung Fire and Marine Insurance

By Yoon Ja-young

Teenagers attending Seoul National University Girls’ Middle School watched a special drama together, Dec. 3.

They previewed “Perfect Sense,” a drama produced by Samsung Fire and Marine Insurance, on the United Nations (UN) designated International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

It is the story of a girl named Eunseo, who is gradually losing her sight, but changes positively after meeting Ayeon, a teacher who is also visually impaired, and Soli, a guide dog.

The drama was produced through contributions by many. Singer and actress Choi Soo-young, who is more often credited as Sooyoung of Girls’ Generation, starred as the teacher, Ayeon, and popular actress Jeong Seon-kyeong also donated her talent. Singer and TV personality Kang Kyun-sung, who is a member of boy band Noel, appears in the drama as well. Samsung Fire and Marine Insurance was in charge of the entire production.

It is the eighth of the dramas produced by the insurer as a part of a social contribution program aimed at helping teenagers better understand the disabled. The effort was recognized by the UN in its 2011 report, and the insurer also won a commendation from the Ministry of Education.

The final version of “Perfect Sense” will be edited, taking into account opinions of the teenagers at the preview, and it will be aired by KBS2TV on April 20 next year, which is Disabled Persons’ Day in Korea, to enhance the public’s understanding of the disabled.

Around 2 million teenagers at some 5,000 middle and high schools around the country watch these special dramas by Samsung Fire and Marine Insurance each year.

“We hope students understand that everyone is different, but the same. That would make for a better society,” a spokesman for the insurer said.