EXO’s Lay Zhang stars in ‘Mumu: I Hear You, Papa,’ a story of love, family, and the deaf community

What if the loudest love is the one you never hear?

Showing exclusively in SM cinemas on June 11, ‘Mumu: I Hear You, Papa’ is a deeply moving Chinese drama from director Mo Sha that explores the unspoken strength and bond of a deaf-mute father and his daughter.

At the heart of the story is Xiao Ma, played by Asian Superstar Lay Zhang of EXO, a hearing-impaired single father raising his cheerful, hearing daughter, Mumu (Li Luoan), in a close-knit deaf community. Devoted to giving his daughter a better future, Xiao Ma embarks on a determined quest to improve her life—an effort that tragically entangles him in a scam.

Their lives also take an unexpected turn when Mumu’s estranged mother, Xiao Jing (Huang Yao), resurfaces to reintegrate her into the hearing world. As Mumu struggles to adapt, she begins to understand that love isn’t confined to a spoken language—and that true connection can thrive in silence. 

As circumstances threaten to pull them apart, Xiao Ma and Mumu cling to the one thing that is louder than anything in the world: love.

A tribute to the deaf community, ‘Mumu’ is more than a film—it’s a reflection of lived truths. Over 30 individuals with hearing impairments were cast, many without prior experience. Their performances bring authenticity into every scene, echoing director Sha’s original intent: to give voice and visibility to a community often left in the margins.

“I first engaged with this community after seeing news about deaf individuals and conducting field research,” Sha said during an interview. “Then the opportunity to make a short film came along.

The short film evolved into a poignant, full-length feature with themes of vulnerability and perseverance. He and screenwriter Fu Dandi also shed light on the risks of scams and misinformation—real dangers faced by marginalized communities— which serve as a key part of the story.

To portray Xiao Ma with truth and care, Lay Zhang immersed himself in the role—training in sign language, rehearsing in silence using earplugs, and visiting deaf communities. 

“I hope more people will learn sign language, respect people with hearing impairments,” Lay Zhang told the audience through sign language at the Beijing premiere. “We should come together to have fun and accomplish more and more things, together.”

A quiet triumph that resonates loudly with heart, catch ‘Mumu: I Hear You, Papa’ starting June 11, only in SM Cinemas. – (press release)