Barista competition, lectures and performances highlight the Cheongeum Spark festival
Assembly Speaker Lee Jae-jin pledges continued administrative and budget support for all to pursue their dreams
The Gangnam-gu Council attended the 2026 Cheongeum Spark festival at Irwon Ecopark in Irwon-dong, Seoul, on Friday, cheering on deaf and hard-of-hearing youth as they showcased their talents and growth.
Now in its eighth year, the festival is organized by Cheongeum Welfare Center, the country's first welfare center for the hearing-impaired. The event brings together people with and without hearing disabilities through a national barista competition, youth lectures, performances and hands-on activities.
About 300 people attended, including hearing-impaired participants, local residents and guests. Noh Hee-ji, KBS's first deaf anchor and a host of "KBS News 12," and Jeong Sang-su, who works as a sign-language interpreter, instructor for the hearing-impaired and actor, took the stage to share their personal stories of challenge and growth, drawing a strong response from the audience.
Deaf artist group Nubis performed a blend of sign language and dance to songs including "Like Jennie" and "Macarena," expressing music through hand gestures and movement. The performance drew an enthusiastic response from the crowd and lifted the festival atmosphere.
The national barista competition for hearing-impaired contestants also drew considerable attention. Twelve finalists who had advanced through a competitive qualifying round demonstrated the skills they had honed, showing both professionalism and passion.
Youth participants also planned and ran a variety of hands-on programs, including table tennis footsal, a badminton bingo game, a harp experience, a sign-language literature showcase, curling and board games, giving attendees a chance to enjoy themselves and connect with one another.
Assembly Speaker Lee Jae-jin said he was glad to be part of "a meaningful occasion where deaf youth can freely display their talents and potential, understand one another and communicate." He added that the lectures, performances and barista competition had allowed him to witness firsthand the achievements and passion the young participants had built for themselves.
Lee said the Gangnam-gu Council would "continue to pay close attention and work to provide administrative and budget support so that everyone can pursue their dreams and take part in the community."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
