When the Phone Rings (2024)

i forgot the actual plot

It was so beautiful at the beginning, but I don’t even know what happened later on.
Honestly, it was shaping up to be a perfect dark romance—arranged marriage, the man secretly loving the girl from the start, him arranging his own marriage, and so on. Everything was going so well until it turned into a game of cat and mouse.

For the last, what, seven episodes? It was just one of them being kidnapped, and the other searching for them. Nothing else happened. And those last two episodes… THEY WERE SO RIDICULOUS. Why did Baek Saeon run away with some nonsensical guilt and become a soldier in some imaginary country? Bro, what happened to the actual plot? I seriously couldn’t understand anymore.

Other than that, the cast and everyone else were amazing. But why did they give so little screen time to Na Yu-ri and Ji Sang-woo? Their chemistry was so good! I wish they had more scenes together. Their relationship was rushed way too much.

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MY HEART CALLS YOUR NAME

***DISCLAIMER: This is just my opinion. We don’t have to agree and I’m not here to argue with anyone.***

TLDR: My review is long so if you don’t have time, just skip to the final thoughts section.

OVERVIEW:

The drama begins with Baek Sa Eon and Hong Hee Joo, a couple married for three years but trapped in silence due to mutual animosity and Hee Joo’s selective mutism. Their fragile relationship worsens when Hee Joo is kidnapped by a masked assailant who threatens her life to get Sa Eon’s attention. After escaping, Hee Joo’s resentment towards Sa Eon intensifies. She uses the kidnapper's phone to communicate her demands of getting a divorce. As the story unfolds, the couple must face their unresolved feelings and decide if they can move past their grievances to navigate the crisis together. The drama delves into their emotional struggles, tackling themes of trust, love, and redemption amid various external challenges.

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IN MORE DETAIL (SPOILERS AHEAD):

Fist off, I liked how When The Phone Rings (WTPR) was able to captivate me in 2 episodes, usually dramas take 4-6 episodes to draw me in but this one did not. It felt like a breath of fresh air and after the first episode I went immediately to the next, without a break or hesitation.

The vibe of this drama is right up my alley; it’s a romantic suspense drama with mystery / thriller aspects, arranged marriages and a bit of tension between the leads. The transition from childhood friends to lovers adds a charming twist. I enjoyed it! It was the perfect antidote for those times when you’re in a drama slump, looking for something quick, bingeable, and effortlessly captivating. I found it especially revitalizing, as I was starting to feel that K-dramas were losing their spark.

The storyline was quite engaging, even if it leaned heavily on makjang tropes and required a hefty dose of disbelief. Flaws are a given in any show, and this one is no different. However, each character and far fetched plot line served a purpose, and in the context of this drama, it all somehow worked.

Honestly, sometimes, you just crave a cheesy, cliché drama that feels like a warm hug. Watching their slow-burn romance blossom into heartfelt confessions and breakthroughs was simply enchanting. Their unconventional love story touched my heart in ways I didn’t expect.


MIXED EMOTIONS:

Initially, In A appeared menacing but ultimately reveals a non-threatening nature. It seems unreasonable for her to expect Hee Joo to resume speaking just because her surgery was successful, allowing her to hear and talk again. That part annoyed me because it seemed selfish, especially after relying on her as a substitute for so many years.

It was disheartening to find out that Do Jae was scheming against Sa Eon, even though I had a hunch about it. While I might be able to brush off his treachery, the memory of him starting a fire and pushing Hee Joo off a cliff, leading to her serious injuries, is hard to shake. Moreover, the fact that Do Jae managed to survive after being beaten, stabbed, and nearly drowned stretches believability to its limits. In reality, both of those events should’ve left them severely injured or dead.

The second couple didn't resonate with me much; they seemed to lack the spark I was looking for. Their love was more subdued and comforting, unlike the fiery connection of Sa Eon and Hee Joo. Despite this, I was pleased that they revealed plans for marriage at the end.

While I recognize that Sa Eon should have learned sign language sooner to communicate with Hee Joo, it's important to consider his peculiar upbringing. To the Baek’s, he was only a spare, which positioned their marriage as a business arrangement. He maintained distance, feeling unworthy of genuine affection. Nonetheless, I commend his later efforts to learn, which showed his desire to connect with her on a deeper level.


DISLIKES:

The 5th episode was likely the weakest link in the series; it felt like a filler and earned a modest 7/10 from me. I was hoping for more excitement, but it just didn’t deliver.

I believe this drama could have reached greater heights if it had targeted a more mature audience. The 13+ rating restricted the depth of the romance earlier on. Still, I admire Sa Eon’s gentle approach; patience really is a virtue.

Sa Eon’s so-called family treats him like a mere pawn in their game, completely disregarding his humanity and identity. It’s heartbreaking to see him, an orphan, uprooted from his life simply because the grandfather chose him for his own agenda. His existence has never truly belonged to him. The flashbacks of his childhood, especially when he was forced to eat fish broke my heart. On the other hand, it was endearing to see how back then he offered his plate to Hee Joo when she was forced to restrict herself. These little parallels between past and present add to the story and highlight Sa Eon’s unwavering care and protectiveness towards her.

I really wish we had seen more of the mother taking responsibility for forcing her daughter into silence. Honestly, she came off as way too nonchalant, and it’s hard not to see her as a deeply troubled and insensitive individual. Everything seems to revolve around her, with her excuse being that she wanted a better life for Hee Joo than the one she experienced. Sure, but in doing so, you subjected her to a different kind of suffering! The mental and emotional scars are not something that just fade away. That’s my main issue, along with the overused trope of parents trying to make amends and seek forgiveness.

I also felt like the news report at the end particularly with the use of fictional country names mirroring real-life ones was unnecessary.


LIKES:

This series featured a stellar cast, the actors played characters with a sense of authenticity and realism. Yoo Yeon Seok delivered as usual, I don’t think I could ever imagine anyone else playing Sa Eon now. Chae Soo Bin brought her own unsuspecting charm and innocence to the role, while also being super flirty and daring when she was 406. I liked seeing her range. She deserves accolades for her impressive sign language performance.

Conversely, the kidnapper exhibited a commendable performance. Finally, there is a villain with a compelling backstory, clear motives, and justifications for his actions. While I did not feel sympathy for him, I appreciated the depth of his character. His troubled relationship with his parents nearly elicited pity. However, I found his demise somewhat too quick and simplistic but then again, you can’t always have it your way.

In my opinion, the finale was a total treat for fanfic enthusiasts. Given that this story started on Wattpad, everything that unfolded was spot on, and I’m not even a little bit sorry for enjoying every second of it. I swear, watching the last episode I was giggling and smiling so much. The people who get it get it and the ones who don’t, don’t. In my opinion they’re just out of the loop or above cliches altogether, but then again, everyone has their own preferences.

I’m glad there was no love triangle or 3rd person attempting to sabotage the couple. Additionally, the absence of a trivial breakup is refreshing. Sa Eon’s departure was indeed heartbreaking, primarily due to his difficulty in confronting Hee Joo after realizing he was the son of the person who inadvertently forced her to be mute following the accident which killed her brother. I think these events laid the foundation for their eventual reconciliation in Argan, similar to dramas with military themes.

I liked how Hee Joo engaged in conversations with those who had a deep connection to Sa Eon, as it allowed her to feel closer to him. It’s such a relatable portrayal of loneliness and confusion; those small interactions were her lifeline during those tough days.

That kidnapping scene where she was blindfolded, it felt like it was lifted straight from a romance novel. It had the essence of multiple shows and movies blended together, but honestly, I didn’t care because Sa Eon looked incredibly handsome while rescuing her.

The cinematography is impressive. While some may dislike the imaginative scenes, I find them endearing as they offer a glimpse into the characters' thoughts and showcase more charming moments between the couple. I also value the subtle hidden details they added that help’s to convey the emotions of the leads.

The OST is also amazing. The first time I heard the captivating opening track, "Hear Me Out," and saw the theme, I thought it was quite intriguing. The first experience hearing “See The Light” was thrilling, and Lim Hyunsik’s vocals are powerful. "Numb", for "May I Love You," and "I Feel It Now," are my top 3 song, as it expresses the emotions of our leads so well. Honorable mention for "Say My Name" which is beautifully sang by Yoo Yeon Seok and shows off his amazing voice.


LOVES:

The leads chemistry is off the charts! I was breathless by the end of episode 2 and again in episode 7. The way they match each other's energy was electrifying. Their intimate scene following the kidnapping was truly something. The filming was excellent; the directors captured the perfect angles and flow. While some viewers criticized the earlier kiss in episode 10's epilogue, I believe the final scene redeemed everything. As a romance enthusiast, their love story resonated with me, and their unwavering connection was evident. The last 15 minutes of the finale were everything, showcasing them as newlyweds finally experiencing happiness after 11 episodes of struggle. It was a satisfying happy ending.

I also appreciate how, in the jungle scene in Argan, Hee Joo initiated the kiss. It was refreshing shift in dynamic showing her taking control. After all of Sa Eon’s encouragement throughout the drama to pursue her desires without hesitation, she finally embraced his advice. Talk about a well crafted arc! And let’s not forget the scene that followed was absolutely sizzling!

What I truly admire is how they handle their issues with such gravity. The years of pain they endured were no joke. The moment between In A and Hee Joo, where she realizes that clinging to the past will only bring sadness, was particularly poignant. I loved how they both showed mutual respect, with Hee Joo letting go of her resentment towards In A. That was a genuine breakthrough that really tugged at my heartstrings.

I loved the character development of Hee Joo. She transforms from a timid and naive person into a confident, determined woman who pursues her desires. Her newfound courage to confront those who have wronged her is inspiring. Similarly, Sa Eon undergoes significant growth, enduring numerous challenges before ultimately finding his happiness.

Sa Eon's affection for Hee Joo stands out, especially considering he was brought up devoid of love. He was raised to be perfect, to make up for the faults of his fake parents and to preserve their legacy. Although he developed a reserved and distant demeanor, his tenderness towards Hee Joo is heartwarming and his sweetness shines through. While he may appear rough around the edges, his love for her is unmistakeable. From the start, their hearts have called each other's names; it was merely a matter of time.

The beauty of that final scene lies in the fact that there were no pretenses this time around. Hee Joo was honest about her feelings, simply wanting him to return home. The progress they have both made in these 12 episodes has been truly remarkable.


FAVORITE QUOTES:

“𝘞𝘦’𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺. 𝘚𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘧𝘦.”

“𝘐’𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘤𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘊𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵.”

“𝘚𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮 𝘺𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥. 𝘚𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘴𝘩 𝘺𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥.”

“𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘺.”

“𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘵. 𝘐’𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘵.”

“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘶𝘱. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘺, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬. 𝘚𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵.”

“𝘛𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘛𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶.”

“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘉𝘢𝘦𝘬 𝘚𝘢 𝘌𝘰𝘯 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘏𝘦𝘦 𝘑𝘰𝘰.”

“𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶.”

“𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦. 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯𝘦-𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰 𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦.”

“𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥-𝘪𝘯. 𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵, 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘧𝘦.”

“𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘐 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘉𝘢𝘦𝘬 𝘚𝘢 𝘌𝘰𝘯. 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶.”


FINAL THOUGHTS:

This drama was an absolute delight! As a fan of heavier and more emotional stories, it was a nice change of pace to watch something lighter that didn't leave me feeling drained. Some persons would beg to differ but for me, this drama was not that deep. It was simply a joy to watch.

All in all, I simply loved how they blended almost every genre together, the mystery, thriller, romance and romantic suspense which kept you on your toes and had you eager to watch the next episode.

This drama was made for yearners and slow burn lovers. Yu Yeon (formerly Sa Eon) and Hee Joo perfectly encapsulate that dynamic. I love the name he chose and their cozy little married life. The ending was so heartwarming, especially the scene where he tells her if she wants their home to be more lively they need to add to their family and then lifts her bridal style to the bedroom.

Is it a masterpiece? Absolutely not. Is it binge worthy and enjoyable? Definitely. WTPR may not be perfect, but it had me hooked! Although the last 2 episodes faltered a tiny bit, the show's overall excellence still prevailed. It provided a much-needed escape, lifting my spirits and making for a gratifying watch.

Would I recommend it? Yes, especially to persons who are beginners or just watching for a good time. I even roped in 4 friends to watch, including two who had never even watched a K-drama before. So far, they’re loving it, and it’s fun to have people to discuss the episodes with.

The romantic suspense and chemistry was brilliant. The leads were so captivating that they definitely earned some extra points in my book. I genuinely loved them, and I can confidently say there was rarely a dull moment in this drama for me.

I need to see YYS and CSB in another project together. Also, what is Yu Yeon up to at the end? He looks like he’s giving some secret agent vibes fr. I just can’t get enough! This drama definitely deserved more than 12 episodes. 14 or 16 would have been perfect. Fingers crossed for the possibility of a 2nd season!

My averaged episode scores put this drama at an 8.6/10. However, due to the review section being currently bombed, I'm generously giving it a 9/10. I'll reassess and adjust my score once the ratings normalize.

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SIDENOTE:

While some claim WTPR is overhyped, I believe its popularity is well-deserved. It captivates and entertains throughout. Everyone has different preferences, WTPR met mine. If you are still unsure, by eps 2 to 4, you'll know if it suits your taste; if not, it's best to move on. Manage your expectations to avoid disappointment, and remember it’s literally based on a Webtoon / Wattpad novel.

I tried to keep my review neutral, concentrating on the main points of the plot and my viewing experience. It is important that we maintain a respectful and focused conversation without any political biases or jumping to any premature conclusions.

Anyway, that’s my two cents lovelies.

As always,
Thanks for reading & happy watching!

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

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The best drama of 2024

First of all i like to appreciate the acting of the leads and all the supporting cast. Yoo yeon seok and chae sobin gave their best acting in their career. So good the sign language specially. Rest of the cast second leads, office staff, villain and parents all acted so well.
Story/production/screenplay/direction: the story is so enticing and captivating there is zero filler scene in this drama. Every episode feels like a roller coaster ride and a whole film. So many emotion are shown in single episode. The production of the drama is top notch. From the styling to the outfits every thing is outclass .
Chemistry: this is the best chemistry i have seen between the leads in any k drama. Even the behind the scene of this drama are trending because of their chemistry. All the kiss and hugs scene are so good and natural.
Ps the OST Are so good specially see the light is so amzaing is already in billboard global top 10. And the song sung by yoo yeon seok himself is just cherry on the top. He is so talented.

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WTPR has everything can expect from a kdrama

Reviews are subjective but honestly I’ve never rewatched any drama as many times as this one while it was still airing… not even my beloved CLOY. For me, it’s perfect: the script, directing, camera work, the length, the tempo, no unnecessary or cringe scenes, and so many details are well thought out. The OST as well, and best of all, the acting and the chemistry between the main leads. We see a rarely seen nowadays top class acting from not only main leads but also supporting actors.
Of course it has a few parts in the form of illogical and slightly realistic consequences of various accidents, but this is a common technique in this genre and is no more miserable than in other dramas, and it does not affect the story or the pleasure of watching.
To be fair, I haven’t seen a lot of the iconic and older dramas yet, but I think I’ve watched over a hundred various dramas already, and this one has everything I expect from a kdrama. For me, it’s in my top 3 and I will rewatch it more than any other series for sure.

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Full on tropes but are well executed.

It never promised a groundbreaking - oscar worthy masterpiece, but it was perfect on its own right.


For the future watchers and those starting the drama right now. The ways you can actually enjoy this drama.


1. Always think of the drama logic. The show is for pure entertainment, a guilty pleasure. If you are here thinking it would be a realistic drama, then you won't enjoy it. Abandon the technicalities and your personal projections.

2. It is a thriller romance, so both genres are entertwined. You will feel the angst and frustration, but you will also feel the intense chemistry of the leads.


3. Plot-wise, your questions will be answered as you go along the rest of the episodes. Any other "logic" you are thinking of, please refer to number 1.


4. Instead of thinking "how/what will I do in this situation" it should be "how/why did Heejoo & BSE do that". Then you will enjoy this more. Again, point number 1.



But seriously, as a long time drama watcher, I am easy to please. As long as the leads acting are great, intense chemistry and good communication are present, idrc about the craziness around them. So for those who are like me, you will enjoy it.

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Turn your brain off and enjoy

This drama is super fun, if you set your suspension of disbelief at Max and come with your expectations in check.

You may love this drama as much as I did (contentious finale included) if:

1. You like soap operas, trashy romance novels, and/or wattpad fanfics (or if you're old like me good ol' ff.net)
2. You love romantic thrillers with a high tolerance for makjang plot points
3. You love angsty desperate romances
4. You aren't nitpicky about the smaller details

You may not like this drama if:

1. You want a green flag ML, everyone is unhinged here do not expect normal people behaviour from pretty much anyone
2. You have a low tolerance for miscommunication (or the complete lack of communication)
3. You have a low tolerance for batshit plot twists
4. You hate the time skip/separation trope

As a makjang tropey romantic thriller this is great fun. Absolute junk food of a drama. Grab some popcorn and buckle up.

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Ring Ring, Real Romance is Calling

{ Remember this is just my opinion, don't take it personally 😊 }

I'm just going to say it: 'When the Phone Rings' is the drama equivalent of a triple-shot espresso – it's a wild, heart-racing ride that will leave you breathless and begging for more. The leads' chemistry? On fire! The plot twists? Expertly crafted to keep you on the edge of your seat. The romance? So cheesy and scrumptious, it's glorious.

It's a love letter to fans of clichéd, over-the-top romance – and I am HERE. FOR. IT. The writers leaned into every trope, and I devoured it like a starving person at a feast. I ravaged every scene, every moment, every swoon-worthy glance – it was like I'd been deprived of oxygen for years and finally found air.

Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae Soo Bin are absolute magic on screen. Their passion and chemistry is palpable and utterly captivating. This drama is filled with tension-filled moments that are steamy and delicious, making for a truly electrifying watch. The sparks between them are undeniable, with even a single glance igniting a fiery connection that's impossible to ignore.

Sa Eon's character, in particular, is a complex, flawed gem. Growing up without love or care, he learned to navigate life by following orders and playing a predetermined role. This upbringing has instilled in him a deep-seated sense of unworthiness, making him believe he doesn't deserve love.

Throughout the drama, Sa Eon's actions are a poignant reflection of his deeply ingrained emotional scars. Initially, he pushes Hee Joo away, fearing his own emotional inadequacy. Later, despite developing intense feelings for her, he falls back into the same pattern, attempting to shield her from his perceived flaws. He just wants to protect Hee Joo from any more hurt or pain. It's crazy to me why this aspect is so frequently misinterpreted.

People need to remember that not everyone has healthy attachment styles; some people quite literally run away from their issues. It's truly unfortunate that certain viewers struggle to accept complex, flawed characters. Nobody is perfect, after all. Our male lead, in particular, is still navigating his emotions and grappling with the aftermath of a tumultuous past. Can't we offer him some understanding and empathy?

Sa Eon's decision to leave wasn't a cowardly escape, but a desperate attempt to atone for his family's dark past. By donating his inheritance, quitting his job, and risking his life to help captives in Argan, Sa Eon sought redemption, punishing himself for the sins of his father. The revelation of his father's true nature shattered Sa Eon's sense of identity, leaving him reeling from the trauma and baggage of a lifetime of lies. His actions were a powerful reflection of his character, as he took responsibility for the harm caused by his father's actions, even though he was innocent. This poignant portrayal of guilt, shame, and the weight of legacy added depth to Sa Eon's journey, making his ultimate healing and love all the more satisfying.

On the other hand, Hong Hee Joo's character offers a poignant contrast. Forced into silence for most of her life, she was consistently ignored and belittled, despite harboring a depth of emotions waiting to be unleashed. Some critics argue that she should have prolonged her phone calls and blackmail, but the crucial point is that Sa Eon discovered her involvement and accepted her nonetheless.

His unwavering love and acceptance of Hee Joo, flaws and all, are a testament to the transformative power of their relationship. Sa Eon's desire to protect and ensure Hee Joo's happiness and safety underscores the depth of his emotions, and serves as a beautiful counterpoint to the trauma and pain they both endured.

Hee Joo's character undergoes a profound transformation throughout the 12 episodes, culminating in a remarkable display of resilience in the final two episodes. Despite being kidnapped, starved, and exhausted, she summons the strength to escape and flee for her life – a testament to her unyielding spirit.

I adore how both characters, despite their flaws, complement each other perfectly. They courageously look beyond their painful pasts and choose to love each other unconditionally. After being neglected and ignored for so long, they truly deserve this kind of love. To me, Sa Eon and Hee Joo are soulmates.

Their unshakeable commitment to each other is inspiring. No matter the distance or obstacles, they're determined to find their way back to each other and fight for their love. The promise they made to each other remains rock-solid until the very end exemplifying the transformative power of their bond.

The scene where Hee Joo believes Sa Eon has been shot may have sparked confusion among some viewers, but it's essential to consider the context. Having fallen and hit her head, Hee Joo is disoriented and not in a clear mental state. This pivotal moment is intentionally crafted to keep viewers on the edge of their seats, guessing what will unfold in the finale.

While the final episode was undoubtedly rushed and choppy, I'm willing to overlook its flaws. Why? Because I had an absolute blast watching it! The plot may have gone off the rails, but who needs coherence when you're treated to Sa Eon rocking a sexy military outfit, armed and ready to save the day? That scene was pure, unadulterated gold – straight out of a telenovela.

The reunion scene, in particular, was everything I could have hoped for. Although the drama took some liberties with the novel, it managed to capture the essence of the story while still delivering some delightfully bizarre moments. For me, it was a wild, entertaining ride that hit all the right spots.

In short, this K-drama was ridiculously bingeable and so much fun! I had an absolute blast each week, especially in the comments section, eagerly discussing the latest plot twists with fellow fans. I'm also fervently hoping for a season 2 – and to those who might protest, I say: you don't have to watch it but I will! I genuinely believe there's more story to be told, particularly with Sa Eon and Do Jae joining forces as an unstoppable duo. The prospect of them fighting crime as badass partners is absolute perfection, and I'm craving more!

I’m also eager to see Sa Eon and Hee Joo’s relationship blossom further, perhaps even expanding their family, iykyk. The possibility of Do Jae and In A exploring a romance, despite being an unlikely pair, also has me intrigued. All in all, I think there’s a wealth of untapped potential, and I, for one, would be thrilled to see more. So bring on season 2!

The naysayers can't ruin this drama for me. I'm ignoring the controversy surrounding that one 30-second scene – it’s, a minor blip on the radar of an otherwise phenomenal drama. This drama simply is a wild, emotional ride that will leave you breathless – finally a story with real romance. The leads' chemistry especially is on fire, and they take you on an emotional journey that will capture your heart. The show's writers bravely leaned into every trope, and I truly devoured each moment with gusto.

With its bold execution, good performances, and addictive romance, When The Phone Rings was an unforgettable viewing experience that will be ingrained in my mind for years to come.

If you are still skeptical, I urge you to ignore the noise and see for yourself!

Thank you for reading 🩵

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One of the best kdrama I've seen in a long draught of mid kdramas

Don't get me wrong, every single cliche you know in the kdrama world happened in this drama:
Truck of non doom
Cliff of non doom
Chaebol paternity secret
Secret wife that no one knows
Secret wife that is the LOHL etc etc.

But it was still the best, in that the ML and FL acted out the part so well I forgot I was watching the same thing told in a different way...until I did and found myself cheering it on all the same, and the leads chemistry was 🔥, and after they started dating over the phone, I was officially won over.

Although fictional, this drama and most of the rest I've seen this year (including cdramas) have me seeing how difficult it is to be a woman from another woman's point of view. It looks to me that whatever y'all do invites scrutiny no matter how well y'all do it. Makes me want ask the women around me, 'how're you holding up? Are you okay?'

My hats off to the women who take it in strike and still step out winners at the end of the day regardless, y'all are the real MVPs. See y'all in 2025.

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Fun but I hoped for more

After hearing a lot of hype for this, I decided to check it out. First 4 episodes are fantastic, high tempo thriller that keeps the tension, two great leads and great cast in general. OST really stuck in my mind as well. Then I think drama tried to do way too much. There is way too many plot twists and turns to the story that it overcomplicates storylines for no reason and draws attentions away from the main plot. The romance between the leads has both ups and downs for me. The chemistry is there, but significant age difference really bothered me sometimes, maybe because the female lead has a baby face and looks even younger age than she actually is. Also when it comes to romance, the writers sometimes write it very childlishly as if teens were falling in love and not two adults, when the romance is shown in a mature way that's where it shines.
The finale doesnt stick the landing. It feels as if the show run out of stream and they still needed one more episode.
Overall its a fun watch, but nothing more.

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WTPR is an exceptional drama of personal growth,

second chances, love, drama and thriller all mixed into one.

When the Phone Rings delivers on everything it promises and keeps you glued to your seat every episode. The OST fits the story perfectly in every scene. The characters are magnifically acted by the cast, and you can't help and root for them. They go thru so much. In the end, the journey is worth it to get the characters the ending they deserve. I like how all of them are so complicated and make you feel for them. I even ended up sympathizing with the villain one of twice. Weird, yes! But that's the token of good writing that gets you to feel even for the evilest of characters.
I also enjoyed the growth of the characters esp HHJ who goes from a meek, comforting character to a strong, feisty woman who knows what she wants and goes after it. She's not afraid to stand up against those who hurt her anymore and I loved that! Her journey is definitely something to watch. Just like PSE who comes into his own while basically going thru hell on earth before leading him to his happy ending.
In the end WTPR did have a couple of cliche moments but in the end they were necessary for the overall journey and message of the drama.
9/10

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This review is just my personal opinion, don't take it personally.

Warning the review will have many spoilers and will be extensive. Now let's continue.

I really don't understand people who didn't like the drama, who were too harsh and there really wasn't a compelling reason for it. You may not like it for a lot of reasons but the reviews were very harsh and had no real basis for the drama to be criticized in this way.

In my personal opinion it is a DRAMA that everyone should give the opportunity to see, I loved it, it made me return to the world of dramas, I firmly believe that it was a drama that brought something new, fresh, with top-level performances, a chemistry that is rarely seen today and is a very special drama I would say that of the 1000 dramas that I have seen in my life, this drama will always remain in the top 1 and I will always see it again, because it is a drama that penetrates very deeply.

The plot begins with a marriage of convenience, who in three years of marriage have never spoken or done things together in front of the public because the protagonist, Hee Joo, had to remain hidden due to her selective silence.

Although their marriage lacked all affection, it was peaceful. As long as neither of them interfered in the other's lives, everything was fine, apparently. I say apparently because the drama is like an onion, it has many layers that you will discover that what you thought was not true and each peel you took out gave you a different background.

Baek is not an easy character to analyze, he does not even fall into the category of a typical cold man who becomes sweet when he falls in love, nor does he become a tsundere. His past is too tragic, one day he witnessed something he never wanted to witness and suddenly his life changed forever, but for the worse. He was taken to a family with secrets that were too dark and totally lacking in affection. He had to be someone else's replacement, live a life that was not his nor did he want it to be his, where he could not express himself or have the same tastes. It was just a tool, which forced him not to know how to express his feelings correctly.

Here comes her dealings with Hee Joo initially, since even though he was in love with her since childhood and her silence gave him calm when he couldn't stand being in noisy places and with hypocritical and false people, he couldn't prove that he loved her because his initial plan was to save her (her family) from her prison, and then gain ground and power to destroy him family and then commit suicide. That's why he couldn't express what he felt and he held back too much.

Hee Joo, on the other hand, was between a rock and a hard place, she had to stay silent and pretend that she was mute because she had to protect her real father from her own mother and she didn't trust anyone either. Their hopes of being happy were. But everything changes when she is kidnapped by 406.

At first he said cruel things about her because he really thought it was someone else trying to blackmail him like it had always happened to him since he started his political career. But she took it very badly, because she still held out hope that her marriage would change, the fact that he would say that the kidnapper would notify her when she was dead. So all her anger towards him explodes and she takes 406's place to extort him and get him to divorce her, because she really thought Baek wanted to kill her. So she tries everything to get him to agree to give her a divorce and yes, she is clumsy during calls because she had never extorted anyone before, she didn't have a structured plan in her head so as not to be emotional. She would get angry and show her more emotional side when he refused to give her a divorce because she didn't understand why a man who apparently didn't love her, who she thought was a hindrance to her life, would find it so difficult for him to agree to a divorce.

This changes when he really finds out that yes, she had indeed been kidnapped and got hurt. From there the entire plot and secrets are resolved little by little, with an exact rhythm.

Nothing seemed out of place nor was any character put in as filler. Each character had a key role in the story and they fulfilled it perfectly.

Actually I am happy that most of the negative reviews were not because there were no +18 scenes like in the novel because I think we all understood that it was for a general audience and with a single look you could already see that desire among them. And that was a great job by both Chae Solo and Yoo Yeon, since their chemistry came naturally, it didn't feel forced. Even behind the scenes they still maintained that chemistry.

Although I know many are disappointed about the ending, some say it must have had 16 chapters and others say the last chapter was unnecessary. I don't agree with any party. Although in chapter 11 we were given a lot of information, if you were attentive to the drama the information provided did not feel confusing or too much, because they had already given us clues and even more so with the appearance of his stepsister. The last chapter was full of pain, drama, crying (honestly it's the first time he cried when a male actor cries, but Yoo Seok gave such a top-notch performance, you really felt his pain like his).
The fact that he disappeared and went to a war zone, which is actually how he started and it was his vocation, being a soldier fit. Because? Because even if he hadn't done anything, he was the son of a monster who took away his childhood, a brother and his dreams from the person he made who would change his mind and want to live again. Could you live happily, pretending that nothing happened when you know that your own father ruined the life of the person you love so much? I think in real life, if this happened, the guilt would simply be so great that you couldn't even continue or consider continuing with that person.

That is why leaving a war zone where his life was chaotic and he could die was a self-imposed punishment. Even for him, not being by Hee Joo's side was a real hell. But Hee Joo, who was a more coherent and understanding person, did not blame him for anything because she understood that both were always tools of the others. They were the same in many ways.

I liked seeing a protagonist who will not wait, but at a certain crucial point, she realized that she had to make her own decisions and actions. And she was also launched, she expressed her love for him without limitations. It was gratifying to see how the family paid for all the damage she did and it was a moment of commomevor when her stepfather finally accepted her as if she were a daughter, and her mother caressed her, telling her to happy always live. Also the last conversation with her sister, telling her that they will stop torment yourself about a past that they couldn't fix and be happy, because she was worthy of being happy just like her.

That she baptized him and gave him such a beautiful name with such a special meaning was simply beautiful.

Here she shows us two things, you don't need to be a damsel who needed to be saved by a prince. They both saved each other and could continue to work to make their relationship okay. You know it may sound cliché but it is beautiful to have a person who does not judge you, nor point you out and is with you through thick and thin. That type of healthy relationship is the one I like to see the most. And second, monsters are not made, they are born. And his 'mother' was also a monster incurring another monster because she never felt regret for the children her son had killed.

Overall the plot twists were surprising because you didn't really know what was going to come out next, so it kept that suspense until the end. The performances were first class, the characters had a very interesting psychological background and the music, although it was little, was good enough.

A review made me laugh where it said that if she fell off a cliff, she should have broken several bones and I agree but how many male characters have we seen who have been hit hard and look like Terminator because they are still standing as if nothing had happened? Too many times.

For me this drama is a 10/10 and I will continue watching it until I get hooked on another drama, although it left me with a very high bar when the phone rings. Furthermore, it is a drama that I will always carry in my soul.

Additional: I do not consider this drama one of those dramas where there are illnesses and loss of consciousness like the queen of tears. While they have their clichéd points, they balanced suspense, politics, and romance all too well. It is not unusual to actually see politicians make agreements and hide things that are too serious. In reality.
For me, drama is an invitation that gives us the opportunity to see how things work and the resilience on the part of some actors. Love does not save you from regrets, that is something that has been shown very well, but from looking for a person who will help you grow as a person. Also that revenge, no matter how justified it may be, never ends in something good. The most hopeful message it gives us is that no matter what happens, you are the master of changing your life and leaving the past behind. That although a father or mother (I mean the mother of the protagonist) can make mistakes when trying to choose the best for you, but that does not mean that they do not love you. To be honest with ourselves and act according to what we feel and think. And even if you think that no one in this world loves you, there will always be people who love you even if you are not able to see it.

I make another clarification about this drama. Chae Soo and Yoo Yeon Seok have won the award par excellence for actor and actress and the award for best couple. They deserves it well for his great effort, and if you don't like it, perhaps he will reconsider watching this drama Chae Soo in his speech she use sign language to thank the public, that shows the effort she has put into learning sign language and she also invited other people watching the drama to study sign language because she said it was an important language to learn. That not only shows what a great actress she is but the quality of person she is. No actor or actress made a speech with sign language. Made history. You may not like it but you can't give a low rating regarding the performances. They gave the best job of all their careers.

when you say this drama is overrated, think carefully about why they won this award. The rating has dropped a lot and understanding that perhaps this drama is not for you, but you cannot deny that they implemented a main character who most of the time had to use sign language, which is rare to see. I honestly don't think this drama is overrated, it offered many things not seen before and the performances were and will be first class, you can put a 1 in the story, but you can't put a 4 in acting because they acted very well. Although I didn't like the Queen of Tears at all, because I was a true Makjang in a time when these dramas are no longer fashionable, I never lowered my rating in terms of performances, because although I didn't like the story, the Performances were also very good and there was no way to deny it.

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Two wounded hearts heal each other: Shattering the chains.

When the Phone Rings tells the story a married Couple, Paik Sa Eon and Hong Hee Joo, whose marriage was arranged by their families. You can call their marriage a political one. Paik Sa Eon comes from a prestigious family, a family of politicians, he's also the presidential spokesperson of Korea, the youngest ever. Hong Hee Joo is the second daughter of Chungwoon Daily, a media corporation. Their marriage is icy and strained with minimal communication. However, when Hui Ju is abducted, the feelings that's been kept hidden surfaced, changing their lives and relationship.

Personally, I think Paik Sa Eon and Hong Hee Joo are each other's destiny. Why? Here's are the reasons: Paik Sa Eon comes from a respectable family, but he didn't get to feel any warnmt from his parents, or shall I say his fake parents? It's scheming all day long. He's nothing but a tool for his parents to gain power. Plus, he's not even his parents real child, they only value him because of the glory he brings the family. Hong Hee Joo on the other hand situation is also similar, she's forced by her mother to keep silent, not uttering a word for years. She's forced to pretend she couldn't speak even though she could. There's a difference between not wanting to, can't, and being forced to not. Being forced into something is the worst experience. These two have suffered greatly because of their families, they are two wounded hearts who healed each other and brought meaning into each other's lives. Previously, they're living a life without warmth, a life without a confidant, but these all changed with their marriage. An arranged marriage turned into happiness for them, it provided them what they both could call a home. I love how their relationship developed rapidly into a happy union. More importantly, I loved how they healed each other.

Just how much can a person's past, family secrets, and family sins become the shackles of your present? This drama digs deep into that. I loved it precisely because of that.
When this drama started, I thought Paik Sa Eon didn't have feelings for Hee Joo and that he'll only develop feelings for her afterwards, but I got it all wrong, they both had feelings for each other. To my surprise, Sa Eon fell for Hee Joo long before their arranged marriage. Just as their relationship was getting better after the failed abduction of Hee Joo, the shackles of the past comes in. I guess that's why they say, for every action, there's a consequence". However, Sa Eon and Hee Joo weren't suffering the consequences of their wrong decisions but from their parents. Sometimes I do wonder why the innocents are the one's who usually bear the sufferings of the sinners, it's not fair. It's clearly their family who committed the sin but they are being tormented for what they were dragged into because they were born into the wrong family. Their family that were supposed to be a support, a home to go back to became the chains that bind them. People make many choices in this world, but the one thing we don't get to choose is our family. Many would have chosen their parents in a heartbeat, but sadly, humans are not given such a chance.

When Paik Sa Eon's fake mother said, "I want you to feel the same pain your father made me feel". A lot of thoughts came to mind, thoughts in form of questions, questions without answers. "Why should he bear the sins of his father? He's not his father, is he? So, why must he bear his sins, even though he's a different person from his father"? After all those questions, I came to realize one thing, and that's the fact that people will always try to pin what's not yours on you, what's left is for you to not admit and take responsibility for what you did not do.

That siad. I really have to hand it out to Yoon Yeo Seok and Chae Soo Bin for their awesome acting and natural chemistry, they had me hooked almost throughout the episodes.
The first drama that made me liked Yoon Yeo Seok was Hospital Playlist, he left an impression on me with that drama. As for Chae Soo Bin, I haven't really watched anything of her until I watched When the Phone Rings. She is indeed a great and awesome actress like many say. At first, I wasn't sure the pairing would work, plus, I'm not really a fan of "older man/younger man" stuff, however, the chemistry of the FL and ML really surprised me. This is one of the few dramas in which the leads chemistry really amazed me. A massive applause to these two wonderful actors (Chae Soo Bin and Yoon Yeo Soek) for their captivating performance.
But of course, that's goes without saying, the performance of the whole casts.

Are there scenes I loved the most? Of course, there are, too many that I can't mention them all, but I'll mention some. Generally, I'd say I loved the times of "406" more, why? It's because during those parts, there were excitements, angst, and anticipations. The three scenes I loved the most during the 406 era were when Hong Hee Joo fell off a cliff and she called Pail Sa Eon for help with 406, that scene showed just how much he loves her, and how far he's willing to go for her. It's really good to see the care he has for her. It's a rare affection if you're to ask me. Another one is when Hui Ju called Paik Sa Eon with 406 again when she's in the hospital, when Paik Sa Eon said, "are you pretty? And Hee Joo replied with does it matter to you whether the person threatening you is pretty or not?" That scene made me laugh sooo hard. Lastly, the scene I loved the most is when Hee Joo finally confessed to Paik Sa Eon that she's 406, that scene cleared up a lot of misunderstandings. They finally mended their relationship after three years. "406", a number that's supposed to orchestrate their divorce became what made their marriage stronger, I loved how "evil turned into a blessing" for them 💞
I also loved the OSTs, especially See the Light by Lim Hyun Sik and Numb by Lim Yeon!


As for the ending. Indeed, the last four episodes were very confusing. It's as if it's a different writer who wrote those last four episodes. The plot was all over the place. I had to rewatch those episodes before I could get a grasp of what was going. And even though I did get a grasp of what was going on, I couldn't really figure out what happened in those episodes, even though I rewatched them. Also, what's with the charity thing? Plus, how did Paik Sa Eon end up in that terrorist zone? Hagan, was it? I don't even recall.
The most annoying part is how the romance of the second leads came out of the blue. There were no scenes of how they became a couple, nor were there any scenes of Ji Sang U's proposal to Na Yu Ri. Thinking about all those anomalies really makes me mad. Plus, as second leads, Heo Nam Jun and Jang Yu Ri had less screentime than the supporting roles. Although I loved this drama, I can't help but point out where it lacks.
However, even though it had all those anomalies, I loved the fact that Paik Sa Eon and Hong Hee Joo got their happy ending. More importantly, the fact that they're able to break the chains and overcome many trials and dangers together, hand in hand. Although they got separated for some time, but the result still turned out great. I also loved the fact that the villains received their well deserved punishment, although I still think Paik Eui Yeong didn't receive his well due punishment, but, I'll not go further on that.

Is When the Phone Rings plot new? No? But if you're to ask me, "is when the Phone Rings interesting and captivating despite all its anomalies?", I'd answer with a big YES! It's a captivating drama.
If you're looking for an interesting mystery/romance drama, this one is the right pick for you. You won't get bored,at least, not until you reach the last four episodes. It's a drama that'll keep you glued to your screen. Now I'm not saying it's a perfect drama, like I said above, it has its flaws, but above those flaws are its merits.
In a nutshell, When the Phone Rings has come and go, but it left a strong impression on me and many, so strong we start to think, "what to watch after this?" It's a drama that'll live on in our hearts for long time. Speaking of top notch acting, natural chemistry, family plots, dark secrets, mystery, emotional rollercoaster, and romance, When the Phone Rings has all these. After much thoughts, considering all its merits with its flaws, I decided to rate it 8.5/10
Finally, to all When the Phone Rings watchers and MDL users, I wish you a Happy New Year 🎊🎊🥂

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