This review may contain spoilers
When the Phone Rings: Brilliant for 10 Episodes, Then Falls Apart
I devoured the first 10 episodes. Very good episodes that are easy to watch. The two main actors perform excellently, and the story is engaging. However, it seems that with each episode, unnecessary details are added, making one wonder why... The characters are in constant danger, without respite; they practically have a subscription to the hospital...What happened to Ji Sang U and Na Yu Ri's show (by the way, in the end, these two characters served NO PURPOSE AT ALL)?
But what was the point of the entire last episode, seriously?? They just needed to have the villain die, END OF STORY.
Why make the male lead disappear? Sure, you feel sorry for the female lead, but you've known her since childhood, been married for 3 YEARS, and you know she knows the story, so WHY???? What he didn't want to experience—living in uncertainty, not knowing if his wife is alive—he ends up imposing on HIS OWN WIFE! The entire last episode is filled with confusion, shifting from dream to reality, past to present, without any transition, making it incomprehensible. It was just ridiculous; throughout the episode, I wondered where it was heading, and then the part in Africa, seriously??
Everything was going well; why half-ruin the drama at the end? Might as well have stopped at episode 11 or skipped directly to the end of the last episode...
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BEST DRAMA OF 2024
Best drama this yeariam gonna miss this drama so much and the excitement and beautiful emotions it gave me through the whole series never been so engaged before iam literally crying
Bye saju couple❣️❣️
the ending was more than i hoped for this drama gave me everything i wanted and everything they promised in the genre till the very end love it love it so much
GREAT ACTING +GREAT STORY+AMAZING CHEMISTRY with beautiful scenes and shots+GREAT OST+great great kisses😂
the recap with yoo yeon seok ost was so beautiful it made me cry (well i have been crying every week for the last 6 eps😂)
I am gonna miss this drama
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This review may contain spoilers
Best drama of 2024 hands down ?
I recommend this drama 1000 times. I Never leave writing reviews but this drama actually deserves one. I watch it because I love soo- bin acting since I’m not a robot, watch plenty of her drama, As for yeon seok I started the interest of love because I like Moon ga-young but that drama I couldn’t bring myself to finish it. When the phone rings is a truly masterpiece, I did not know the potential of the drama or the plot very well but I dived in and what a surprise the show hooked me since episode 1. The acting and chemistry of both of the leads got me watching behind the scenes something I usually don’t do as well. The OST is amazing as well. The director, the staff and the rest of the cast did an outstanding work.Pd: Want to add to my review that i didn’t read the manwha but I do think the last six or five minutes of the ending episode were unnecessary except from their call at the very end and park do-jae comeback but this doesn’t mean I’m going to batch or disregard the actors hard work, when they probably didn’t even know about it, blame the director and the writers. The Argan plot I do understand because he needed to change his name and give his life some meaning and be worth of her. The drama still enjoyable and you can feel how much effort every actor put into it specially the leads.
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This review may contain spoilers
oh that phone calls went into a different direction than i expected...
it started strong. compelling premise, intense and the fast-paced style made it more exciting. they always end an episode with a cliff-hanger that would make you want to watch the next episode immediately. but also with this pacing, i think other parts of the show lacked in depth and development. it got really over-the-top in the end there which feels fanfiction-y too in a way which is silly but fun. again, i had a fun time but overall, not as satisfying as i wanted it to be.the whole phone call thing part between saeon and heejoo was probably the most exciting part of the whole drama. even though, we've seen some stupid moments during that, that was the sequences that made it engaging. i was really rooting for heejoo to play that mind games with saeon but it did not really went there. when that whole thing was over, the romance got intensified. and that intensity threw me off in the end. it just didn't feel right when those two barely know each other. if anything, he treated her so badly that heejoo should've made it worse for him during those phone calls lol except for a couple of flashbacks of them when they were kids, we did not really see much of the development of their relationship. next thing you know, they would literally die for each other. i'm not mad lol but that gave me a whiplash. that whole possesive/over protective thing thing too? oh the girlies are gonna eat that up. i just wish there was more development before all that.
if it's just romance, yuri and sangwoo are the ones that made me kick my feet in the air, you know? that hyper gf and calm bf dynamic who also investigates a case together. plus they are adorable and hot? hello, i want more!
acting-wise, no complaints here. yoo yeonseok? that man can act and has range. very happy for chae soobin getting this project too. i gotta say, the scenes between chae woojin who played dojae and saeon were the ones that really moved me emotionally and probably, one of my favorite moments too.
the villains are over-the-top. it got really wild and dramatic there in the end with the plot. it did bother me at times when they did those "what if" or "dreaming" sequences. oh he actually wasn't shot? oh. lol that's just for shock value. also, i think they could've done more with the selective mutism storyline but oh well.
anyway, it's not a favorite but a good time overall. now i wish there was a version where there's no romance or more like, the two only started falling in love while they're trying to catch the real killer and also, more push back from the female lead and phone calls where they play more mind games with each other lmao writers in fanfic community, do your thing.
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so good so far
I’m only on episode 2 and I’m addicted. the plot and the plot twists are really good. the casting is great Aswell the chemistry is there. I love the plotline romance meets mystery meets action. this popped up on my Netflix and I added it to my watchlist and started watching it last night. it’s great so far and I love it. the acting is great and I personally love romance/action plotlines especially in kdramas. there are 12 episodes in total and I can’t wait to watch all of them. for some reason the setting reminds of penthouse- it could just be me but it gives that vibe.Was this review helpful to you?
For me: best K Drama at the moment
Extraordinary, I watched first 6 Episoden, this K Drama did captivate me right from the beginning until now. The music, the atmosphere, the Plot, the scenes and the great chemistry between the leads. Worth watchable, absolutely. So, do yourself a favor and watch it 😉It is about the marriage between a politican and his wife, she doesn‘t speak only with sing language. They live in a cold marriage and both hide their true ferlings. This marriage gets shaken up in the moment, when his wife gets kidnapped. The hidden emotions and secrets arise bit by bit. The Kidnapping Story also contains a lot of secrets, the childhood of both mainleads hold a lot of pain. We get to know them better and better, why both mainleads choosed to burry their feelings and I am stunned, when they begin to show them in captivating scenes.
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"The call from 406 to 604 "
If you like arranged marriage, hot couple with 100/100 chemistry and most importantly a male lead who would let the world burn for his wife this show is for you :)Story:
in fact, the story has a cliché
base with some creative points. We've already seen series about two people in love but drifted away because they can't speak their true emotion out and stuck in misunderstanding, but that phone calls were the point and watching how they develop their feelings and relationship through the phone was interesting.
The story also gives the wattpad vibe: hot and cold daddy who is madly in love without showing his true emotion +arranged marriage
Actually it was adopted from a romance novel that turned out into a webtoon and it's obviously have its spice of cliché(but it's worth-watching).
(and god bless the director it's more logical than the novel) I didn't get bored till the last moment.
Talking abt the last episode it can be like two things:
A bonus for us to watch our couple in an action-romance scene that is very hot
a what the hell is happening
(You can choose one of them...
Anyway the ending won't change)
Characters:
YES! finally the male lead we craved for a long time.
Beak sa oun is HUSBAND MATERIAL 10/10. he was madly in love with his wife, protective and possessive. he was caring so much for his wife that it felt so real.
I felt a little hatred when he said that sentence to the kidnapper but later I found no one could really care abt Hee Joo more than him.
Hong Hee Joo showed 2 sides of her character:
the one was the shy, silent and obedient girl
and the other was the fierce Hong Hee joo (Sa Oun's favorite)
she only needed to be loved and her husband's love gave her enough confidence to develop.
The second couple were cute too and wish we could see more of them. (But the first couple were something else)
MR. KANG was MY LOVE. He was one of the cute and wise charachter in this series. A family teacher for Sa Oun and a cutie pie for us ^-^
Chemistry:
The romance really touched my heart. I could really feel the love between them. The look at love was amazing in both.
Kisses were legendary and on another level. If we had any awards to the best kissers it would belongs to Beak Sa Oun and Hong Hee Joo defiantly.
flows:
drama after drama(read it as trauma after trauma) it became JAJINGNA CHINCHA...why you don't let them sitting 10 minutes with peace and without any accident?
romance scenes were less than we expected (the true ones)
if you search for logic specially a logical wrap up it's not for you.
overall:
Come on!
watch it for the attraction.
It's worth-watching for sure.
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This review may contain spoilers
Wow! Buckle up....You're in for a Ride
Last episode:I liked the last episode but didn't love it. I thought including the two main leads coming back to each other in a war-torn country was a bit much. I'm not sure that was really necessary. Regardless, the last episode does wrap everything up nicely and gives us viewers plenty of romance between the two main leads. There are three strengths with this Kdrama that I believe made it a hit. 1) The chemistry between the ML and the FL. They were really good, and very believable in their attraction and love for each other. 2) The writer (or the director, or even the actors themselves) allowed the two leads to show us they were in an adult relationship with each other. There weren't any awkward physical interactions that seem to occur in so many of these dramas. This boosted the romance so much, and made their story together that much better for the viewer. 3) Lastly, the intrigue was top notch. The storyline of the parents ambition, the coverups and substitutions that occurred to keep the family image intact, the revenge, and, of course, the 406/phone/kidnapper angle--all came together to give the viewer the suspense needed to keep you dying to see the next episode. A really good Kdrama!! Congrats to all the cast and crew on this one!!! And with that.....I think I'll go watch it again.
Just watched the 11th episode:
#$@% what a story!!! I'm overdosing from the climatic endings and the "what will happen next" cliffhangers!! This is very well written. I am reminded of Reborn Rich which wove an intense and unbelievable plot around all these characters. And, just when you think you have it figured out....bam!!....there is another twist. The twist and turns of this story have kept me glued to my screen. I can't wait for the last episode to see how this ends. One of the best Kdramas of 2024-2025!!!
After 7 episodes:
The major theme--the children of terribly ambitious parents who grow up trying to please these selfish parents but realize how damaging it has been to their lives. In the end, the two main leads try to fix their wrongs into rights so they can be happy with each other. It's a wonderfully romantic story that is set in a thriller/mystery/political corruption drama that really keeps you glued to the story. I love that the main leads are able to express their love for each other in an adult manner. There is no stupid, juvenile embarrassment when expressing affection. It is real, and the actors do a superb job expressing the characters love for each other. I don't know what will happen next, and that is a BIG part of the appeal. The suspense is huge!
After 4 episodes:
I just wanted to post quickly and say that THIS Kdrama is good!! It's got the best hook that grabs you and won't let go. A mystery in the relationship between the ML and FL, with maybe a psychological thriller twist that makes you want to keep watching to see what happens next. Great acting by the cast. They are supremely evil, mysterious, timid, intense, comedic, and all sorts of divinely abnormal. The mothers are vicious. They all roll together to take you on the ride of your Kdrama life. We need to get a poll/wager going on who the real 406 is.
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Watch the episodes before reading this review it's sooooo good!!!
Mahn oh mahn this drama has got me hooked literally hooked!! Infact I am writing this review out of my frustration for waiting for the next episodes. The drama is sooo good it is a perfect mix of romance, suspense,thriller, action and what not...so stop doubting and give it a chance. It's been soo long since I have waited eagerly for each episode of a drama. Each episode ends in a insanely epic cliffhanger which keeps you on your toes for an entire week. The story is finger lickin good it is I think a romance thriller. The chemistry between the leads is literally chemistrifying ;) Yoo Yeon-seoks performance in this drama is soo gooood that I would watch this drama again just for him. The cinematography, the OST, the supporting actors, direction is all upto the mark. So When the phone rings is definitely a very good watch.I thank the korean universe for gifting me this wonderful drama to end the year 2024...
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This has me hooked with the first episode
I came across this series via a TikTok and it had me wanting more and I couldn’t stop … except I caught up and now must wait for the next episode.I love these characters and the episodes just give us more bread crumbs for the story.
I really really hope this all works out and it doesn’t loose its appeal after 3-5 episodes.
but I do have a good feeling about it.
the story follows a government official who comes from a very esteemed family. He is forced to marry into a media tycoon family.
he agrees but makes a couple of conditions for his new wife. she can’t ask for a divorce, especially during a election year and no one must know she is his wife. if she breaks any of these rules … she owes him 2 billon won.
The wife he agrees to marry has selective mutism. she works as a sign interpreter for a news agency.
one night her car is hacked and she os kidnapped. the kidnapped tells her husband, he doesn’t believe the kidnapped has his wife and tells him not to call again. if he does he better have killed her.
what comes next is a battle of cat and mouse …. it will have you hooked!!!
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The phone rang , but it wasn't the drama I was waiting for!
The drama had all the right elements to be a good mystery-thriller but unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to its initial premise. The first half had me completely hooked but by the end, I felt kind of let down by the lacklustre conclusions and rushed pacing. Don't get me wrong, its wit's far from being terrible but definitely a disappointment, especially when you compare it to the intrigue and mystery that were introduced early on.The plot itself was solid - Baek Sa Eon, a man with a prestigious fancy political background and a complicated shady past was a pretty interesting lead. The whole mystery surrounding his wife Hong Hui Ju, her kidnapping and then the phone calls had me invested The tension and suspense that built up in the beginning were great but as it went on it lost its spark when logic took the backseat.
Sa Eon’s character started off as this cold, calculated guy and I liked how complicated his character was. Being the youngest presidential spokesman sort of gave him some serious depth. There was a mystery to his persona, tough on the outside, but you could sense something softer beneath. In the first few episodes, his portrayal was spot-on and I was all in. However, as the episodes progressed Sa Eon seemed to lose that sharp edge that made him so compelling. Instead of continuing his evolution as an "intelligent, scheming and smart character", he fell into a more predictable, emotional fool arc once he started to fall in love. The transformation felt abrupt and unrealistic, as though the writers decided to abandon the complexity of his character in favour of giving us a more conventional romantic storyline (which we didn't ask for, if I might add that).
Hong Hui Ju also started with a strong, mysterious presence as well. Her selective mutism and tragic backstory created a sense of depth that initially seemed promising. But as the plot unfolded, she too began to fit into those cliche familiar tropes, damsel in distress being on the top.
After clearing the air between her and Sa Eon, she made decisions that seemed out of character, acting impulsively and putting herself and Sa Eon in danger. Instead of her being a strong, self-sufficient character which I was rooting for and saw glimpses of in the earlier episodes, she got caught up in the predictable romance too which undermined the mysterious tone it was initially trying to maintain.
Now, the romance between Sa Eon and Hui Ju? It was sweet, no doubt. They had great chemistry and the moments between them were tender and kisses were done very tastefully. But I wasn’t watching this for a love story. I came for the suspense and the mystery which was the initial setup and honestly, I felt like their relationship kind of stole the spotlight. While it had some nice moments, it pushed the darker, more exciting parts of the show to the side. As a romance drama, I would give it a much higher rating but a drama where the first two genres are mentioned as mystery and thriller, it was just not it.
The antagonists were another weak point for me. I had all these crazy theories about who was behind the kidnappings and the shady dealings of the past and the buildup created a lot of anticipation. But when the big reveals finally came, they were so underwhelming that I sorta felt disconnected from the story. The plot twists that were supposed to be shocking ended up feeling predictable, anticlimactic and just meh.
Also, can we please get a spin-off for the second couple because the chemistry was so evident! There was a certain softness in their interactions, an intimacy that didn’t need any grand gestures or dramatic declarations. I wish they got more screen time that could have actually done justice to their love story.
Overall, what could’ve been the show of the year for me turned out to be the first disappointment of 2025. While it’s not entirely bad but compared to how it started, the drop in quality is pretty hard to ignore.
I would recommend this if you're a fan of the leads and want to see what the hype was all about. But honestly, go in with tempered expectations.
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LOVED it, but the ending ??
i loved this drama for what it was, the leads were amazing. i give props to the director for choosing the ml and fml for this drama because it was lovely. i liked the story of her being mute and the first few episodes really drew me into the whole drama. it got crazy here and there but it kept my interest luckily up until the end though ..the ending was a mess and could of been way better. there were a lot of things the ml and gml did which could be avoided and those actions were ridiculous. i’m happy they are together but in this way i didn’t like, but anyways this is a nice romo drama for anyone looking for a romantic drama with a interesting storyline. i definitely recommend this one.
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