The non-profit organization Snail of Love organizes a concert and calls for a change in government policy for the hearing impaired

Celebrities such as singers Lee Juck and Lee Seok-hoon, musical actor Bae Dae-hae and actor Yoo In-na will attend the event on Saturday. (THE SNAIL OF LOVE)

The Snail of Love, a nonprofit organization for the hearing impaired, is holding a music concert featuring star singers and actors at COEX in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on Saturday to call for a change in Korea’s current policy on cochlear implants.

The concert, titled “Could You Say That Again?” (translated), will feature celebrities such as singers Lee Juck and Lee Seok-hoon, as well as musical performer Bae Da-hae and actor Yoo In-na., The event will take place from 5 p.m. in COEX Conference Room 401.

Lee Juck, an honorary ambassador for the organization, will perform a song he co-wrote with The Snail of Love’s six-member choir, the Soul Singers. All six members of the Seoul Singers are hearing impaired.

Singer Lee Juck, ambassador of The Snail of Love (THE SNAIL OF LOVE)

Poster of the upcoming music concert by the non-profit organization The Snail of Love titled “Could You Say That Again?”, to be held in Gangnam district, southern Seoul, on Saturday (THE SNAIL OF LOVE)

Other programs include a performance of “Nella Fantasia” by Bae; a joint performance of “Beautiful Country” (2007, translated) by The Snail of Love and Bae’s clarinet ensemble; and Yoo’s reading is accompanied by illustrations projected in the background.

With the concert, the non-profit organization wants to draw attention to the “inadequate” insurance for cochlear implants, which only covers 40 percent of the cost of a single implant. Policies in Australia and Singapore, on the other hand, fully cover the cost of cochlear implants every five years.

A cochlear implant is a device that can be surgically implanted to improve hearing in people with severe to profound hearing loss. The internal part of the device is designed to last indefinitely, but the external hardware typically lasts about five to 10 years, according to the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, USA.

The Snail of Love is currently collecting signatures online for the cause.

According to the organization, since its founding in 2000 through the second half of 2024, it has assisted over 2,500 hearing-impaired people with cochlear implant surgery and speech therapy.

The Snail of Love is also currently running a hearing aid support campaign for war veterans, and a memorial wall will be installed at Saturday’s concert to commemorate veterans of the Vietnam War (1955-1975).

BY LEE JIAN ([email protected])