The drama When the Phone Rings, released in 2024, presents an interesting plot, but one filled with tropes. The story follows Baek San Eon, the spokesperson for the President of South Korea, and Hong Hee Joo, a sign language interpreter, who have been married for three years. However, their marriage is not traditional, as it is the result of a convenience agreement between their families, leading to a distant and cold relationship. The story takes a dramatic turn when Hee Joo is kidnapped, triggering significant changes in their lives and relationships.

POSITIVES:

1. The premise of the script is extremely captivating, as it combines elements of drama, romance, and suspense in an engaging way. With each episode, we are taken through a whirlwind of emotions and mysteries, keeping us hooked to the plot as we seek to understand the events shaping the story, especially the connections between the characters and the secrets that have bound them together from the very beginning. This careful and mysterious development of the ties between the characters keeps us constantly intrigued to see how the story will unfold.

2. This was my first experience watching a drama with a character who uses sign language. I found it extremely important to portray, as it addresses issues of inclusion and accessibility, helping the audience better understand this reality.

3. The chemistry and interaction between Baek San Eon and Hee Joo. It is clear to feel the characters' emotional expressions through their kisses, glances, and dialogues. Their relationship, although initially cold, begins to develop as both characters are forced to confront the traumas of their past and the realities of their present. The chemistry between them is visibly tense and complex, but as the circumstances bring them closer, a new level of understanding and connection emerges.

4. The OST is simply beautiful, I loved it, and I realized it played a crucial role in shaping the emotional atmosphere of the story.

CONTROVERSIES:

In my opinion, some elements of the plot were quite controversial.

1. The relationship between Hee Joo and her mother. In the beginning, the mother is shown to be cruel and cold towards her daughter, even interfering with her dreams. However, by the end, she displays a completely different attitude, and I couldn’t find a convincing explanation for this abrupt change.

2. The scenes of the fight between Park Do Jae and the kidnapper are unrealistic. Considering the amount of abuse Park Do Jae endured, he should, at the very least, have been seriously injured or even died, but in the following scenes, he appears in good condition, despite all the violence.

3. Now, the biggest controversy, in my opinion, was episode 12. I truly felt that there was a significant break in the narrative continuity compared to the previous episodes. I couldn't understand why Baek stayed away from Hee Joo for six months as a form of punishment after discovering that his father was responsible for the death of Hee Joo’s brother. Think about it: they fought so hard to be together, endured so many challenges and suffering, only for him to suddenly disappear without even offering an explanation, leaving her even more distressed. This seemed like a narrative choice that, to me, had no plausible justification.

OVERALL VIEW:

Overall, I found "When The Phone Rings" to be a good drama, rating it 8.5, as it managed to capture my attention despite some tropes and controversies throughout the plot. The story is engaging, exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and personal challenges, with characters who, although they go through predictable situations at times, were still enjoyable to follow.