“Not being able to hear? It’s like being awake in the middle of the night when everybody else is fast asleep. It can get very lonely, and even frightening. But I’ve never resented being deaf, not once.”

Twenty-year-old Kim Hye-won calmly signs each word, her hand motions fluid and her eyes startlingly bright. Though the small glimpse she offers into her silent world is sobering, Kim herself never loses her ready smile.

Kim Hye-won, who was born with a hearing impairment, placed fifth in the 2011 Miss World Korea competition(Photo: Weekly Gonggam).

Kim, who was born with a hearing impairment, entered the national limelight in 2011 when she placed fifth in the 2011 Miss World Korea competition. The Weekly Gonggam met with her on the occasion of her recent acceptance into the modeling arts program at Korea Arts College, where she will begin her studies this year.

“When I was still quite young, I decided that I would never make the mistake of hiding myself away from the rest of the world,” recounts Kim. “Whenever I felt estranged from other people, separated by what seemed like an expanse of darkness, I told myself that I was born for a purpose. I made up my mind to find my own meaning in life.”

From playing with kids at her church, to participating faithfully in annual Christmas performances, Kim made it a point to volunteer as often as she could. In addition to making regular visits to orphanages, Kim also assisted at various fundraisers and volunteered her skills in sign language as an interpreter.

Then, in May 2011, Kim attended a presentation by Sophie Vouzelaud, a French model and spokesperson for the promotion cultural voucher programs for the disabled. Vouzelaud, who is also deaf, had attracted international attention when she won second place in the 2007 Miss France contest.

During a promotional tour for her recently published autobiography that took her through Korea, Vouzelaud gave a presentation at Kim’s school, the Seoul National School for the Deaf. She signed a message of encouragement to the students, reminding them that they deserve to be valued and loved for who they are, and that they are capable of doing much more than they think.

Kim Hye-won strikes a pose during practice at a modeling studio. Kim will be attending the modeling program at Korea Arts College this year (Photo: Weekly Gonggam).

The sight of Vouzelaud, confident, unafraid, and wholly unhindered by her disability, left Kim at once stunned and delighted. Recalling her experience as a finalist in the Miss Deaf Korea competition, Kim began scouring the internet for new opportunities, and finally discovered a notice announcing the first ever Miss World Korea competition.

Wanting to appear as natural as possible, Kim forewent the intensive lessons that pageant contestants usually undergo and practiced walking and posing in her room. Surpassing her own expectations, she made it to the final round, coming in fifth place. With renewed confidence, Kim decided to apply for a competitive program at the Korea Arts College, despite having only attended special education schools.

“I’ve been interested in modeling ever since I saw models doing their walk on television,” She recalls. “But after meeting Vouzelaud and winning at the Miss World Korea competition, I’ve come to realize that my dreams are well within reach.”

Following her win, Kim also appeared on a popular weekend television show where, in addition to sharing her inspiring story, she impressed the studio audiences with her dancing skills. She also revealed her versatility not only as an athlete who enjoys swimming, rock climbing, snowboarding, and skiing, but also as a musician who can play various percussion instruments by feeling the vibrations and rhythms with her body.

Kim hopes that her future career as a model will contribute to improving attitudes toward the disabled in Korean society.

“In our country, it’s not always easy to live with disabilities, because of the way people look at us and the less obvious ways that people discriminate against us,” she said. “I want to help to get rid of these kinds of prejudices. I want to be a mentor who gives many people a reason to hope.”

*Adapted from Weekly Gonggam Magazine
Translated by Kwon Jungyun
Korea.net Staff Writer