Difference between revisions of "When The Phone Rings"

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Drama: When The Phone Rings (English title) / The Number You Have Dialed (literal title)
Revised romanization: Jigeum Geoshin Jeonhwaneun
Hangul: 지금 거신 전화는
Director: Park Sang-Woo
Writer: Geoneomulnyeo (web novel), Kim Ji-Woon
Network: MBC
Episodes: 12
Release Date: November 22 - January 4, 2025
Runtime: Friday & Saturday 21:50
Genre: Mystery / Romance
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

Paik Sa-Eon (Yoo Yeon-Seok) comes from a prestigious political family and he became the youngest presidential spokesman in Korea. His background also includes time spent as a war correspondent, hostage negotiator, and main anchorman. He married Hong Hee-Joo (Chae Soo-Bin) 3 years ago. She is the daughter of a newspaper proprietor. She has mutism due to an accident she had when she was little. She works as a sign language interpreter in court and on television. Paik Sa-Eon & Hong Hee-Joo got married largely due to convenience. For the past 3 years, they haven't communicated with each other or have meals together. They pretend they are a happily married couple. One day, Hong Hee-Joo is kidnapped by an unidentified person. This changes their marriage life.

Notes

"When The Phone Rings" takes over MBC's Fri & Sat 21:50 time slot previously occupied by "Doubt" and followed by "Motel California" on January 10, 2025.
Based on web novel "Jigeum Geoshin Jeonhwaneun” by Geoneomulnyeo (published November 19, 2022 - January 13, 2023 via Kakao).
Ep.5 & 6, which were originally scheduled to air Friday, December 6th, and Saturday, December 7th, 2024, will air a week later on Friday, December 13th and December 14, 2024. News coverage of the South Korean presidential impeachment will air on the 6th and 7th.

Cast



Yoo Yeon-Seok	Chae Soo-Bin	Heo Nam-Jun	Jang Gyu-Ri
Paik Sa-Eon	Hong Hee-Joo	Ji Sang-Woo	Na You-Ri

Kidnapper

Park Jae-Yoon

kidnapper

Hong Hee-Joo's Family



Han Jae-Yi	Choi Kwang-Il	Oh Hyun-Kyung	Park Won-Sang	Shin Yeon-Woo
Hong In-A	Hong Il-Kyeong	Kim Yeon-Hui	Na Jin-Cheol	Hong Hee-Joo (child)

Yoon Seo-Yeon

Hong In-A (child)

Paik Sa-Eon's Family



Yu Seong-Ju	Chu Sang Mi	Jeong Dong-Hwan	Lee Jae-Joon
Paik Ui-Yong	Sim Kyu-Jin	Paik Jang-Ho	Paik Sa-Eon (child)

President's Office



Lim Chul-Soo	Choi Woo-Jin	Park Sun-Young	Song Jin-Hee	Jeong Ji-Hwan
Kang Young-Woo	Park Do-Jae	Kim Soo-Young	Ahn Jin-Hee	Jung Won-Bin



Kang Hyun-Woo	Kim Yu-Ri	Min Eung-Sik	Hyun Seo-Young	Kim Seung-Jun
Lee Tae-Young	Kim Tae-Kyeong	chief	Shin Jung-Min (ep.4)	interviewer (ep.4)

Seongnang-gu Sign Language Center



Yang Jo-A	Kim Young-Mi	Kim Geum-Hee
Han Jin-Yi	interpreter	interpreter

Paik Sa-Eon's Group



Ko Sang-Ho	Kim Jun-Bae	Hong Seo-Jun	Kim Mi-Ran	Lee Hye-Jin
Jang Hyeok-Jin	Jung Sang-Hoon	Min Do-Ki	Lee Jeong-Won (ep.1-2)	Park Hyeon-Jin (ep.2)

Ji Sang-Woo's Group



Kang Ji-Yong	Kim Deok-Ju
Ji Sang-Woo (child)	nun

HBC



Park Gun-Rak	Tak Seung-Bin	Park Gang-To	Lee Gyoung-Ho	Lee Bum-Chan
Director Yoon	staff (ep.1)	staff (ep.1)	director (ep.1)	director (ep.1)



Lee Seung-Jin	Song Hoon	Lee Yoon-Soo
reporter (ep.1,3)	PD Han (ep.3,7)	staff (ep.3,7)

Police



Lee Doo-Seok	Kim Min-Suk	Bae Sung-Il	Song Young-A
Kang Hyeong-Cheol	detective (ep.3)	Park Sang-Wook (ep.3-4)	Kim Jung-Yeon (ep.3-4)

Paik Ui-Yong's Group

Ahn Chan-Woong

aide

Others



Son Ki-Chul	Kim Jin	Kaare Olsen	Jeong Yi-Heon	Kim Kyu-Do
reporter (ep.1)	interpreter (ep.1)	ambassador (ep.1)	phone man (ep.1)	prosecutor (ep.2)



Lee Heung-Yoon	Lee Hyun	Yeo Min-Goo	Kim Moon-Soo	Kim Soo-Jung
plaintiff (ep.2)	defendant (ep.2)	arsonist (ep.3)	government official (ep.3)	government official's wife (ep.3)



Lee Seo-Won	Jung Eun-Ran	Ahn Tae-Gyeong	Park Chang-Hoon	Park Kyung-Eun
nurse (ep.3)	caregiver (ep.3)	restaurant staff (ep.4)	sign language applicant (ep.4)	sign language applicant (ep.4)



Hwa Sung	Lee Soo-Jin	Han Chae-Bin	Son Ye-Ji	Hwang Jung-Yoon
hair stylist (ep.4)	event attendee (ep.4-5)	event attendee (ep.4-5)	event attendee (ep.4-5)	saleswoman (ep.5)



Jwa Chae-Won	Seo Eun-Joo	No Soo-Sung	Jin Sung-Min	Park Hwa-Hong
saleswoman (ep.5)	hiker (ep.6)	hiker (ep.6)	paramedic (ep.6)	paramedic (ep.6)



Park Kyung-Hye	Park Seon-Ok	Choi Yo-Woon	Lee Ju-Mi	Hong Suk-Youn
masseuse (ep.7)	lobby patient (ep.7)	lobby patient (ep.7)	lobby patient (ep.7)	delivery man (ep.8)



Jo Min-Jae	Lee Seung-Joon	Heo Soo-Bin	Kim Doo-Eun	Brad Curtin
PD (ep.9)	Judge (ep.12)	waitress (ep.12)	deliveryman (ep.12)	principal (ep.12)

Additional Cast Members:

Gong Hyun-Tak - President's Office staff (ep.2-3)
Seo Ye-Bin - amusement park staff (ep.7)

Trailers

Episode Ratings

Date	Episode	AGB
Date	Episode	Nationwide	Seoul
2024-11-22	1	5.5% (9th)	5.4%
2024-11-23	2	4.7% (11th)	4.8%
2024-11-29	3	6.0% (9th)	5.6%
2024-11-30	4	5.7% (4th)	6.0%
2024-12-13	5	5.9% (9th)	5.3%
2024-12-14	6	6.9% (5th)	6.4%
2024-12-20	7	6.0% (10th)	5.1%
2024-12-21	8	7.0% (2nd)	6.8%
2024-12-27	9	6.4% (9th)	6.0%
2024-12-28	10	7.5% (3rd)	7.4%
2025-01-03	11	8.3% (4th)	8.8%
2025-01-04	12	8.6% (3rd)	8.5%

Source: AGB Nielson

Awards

2024 MBC Drama Awards - December 30, 2024
- Best Actor (mini series) (Yoo Yeon-Seok)
- Excellent Actress (mini series) (Chae Soo-Bin)
- Best New Actor (Heo Nam-Jun)
- Best Couple Award (Yoo Yeon-Seok) & (Chae Soo-Bin)

Comments

Ara May 22 2026 11:00 am It's so slow to watch with so many cringe scenes and disappointing suspense but I'm already hooked on 4 eps and i must know all the mystery, pleaseee will i ever finish this drama hahaha. Watching this becoz of YYS btw

Fanny Mar 08 2026 6:26 am Watching 3rd times here ??

LAM Aug 11 2025 1:04 pm Who are the ML’s biological parents if not the presidential candidate and his Professor wife? Is it the Grandfather and some unnamed female? That is not really made clear.

gasenadi Jul 23 2025 7:48 pm "Argan war zone"? Seriously?! Drama was proceeding in its normal, very entertaining kdrama style - until that last episode. Is this a Netflix requirement? The dramas must have random scenes in a war-torn country no one can identify, for no reason connected to the original plot or characters?

Sha Jul 01 2025 4:13 pm Great plot, but could've been better. 2025 and we're still doing cringe scenes of nearly being run over and The other person runs to save them. As if you can't just shout get out of the way. Or the scenes where someone trips and gets caught in a position where their lips might meet.

Great casting though, great chemistry, good premise, typical ending

Ellen Jun 28 2025 7:36 am Brilliant drama A strong cast and good script and you can’t lose. Yoo Yeon Seok so amazing every time and perfect as ML. Char soo Bin great job, difficult role to act.

Real suspense thriller and romance. Best of the year, watching a second time.

Carol-Anne Welsh May 06 2025 4:26 pm K Drama is some of the best entertainment in the world and so too is the calibre of acting.. This show was mesmerising ...the characters are so intense and so we escape our world as they struggle with theirs. The humerous moments are superb! Also it focused on disability ... not typical in many cultures, kudos! I have grown to Love Korean film and the talent in it. These are not easy roles to play .... but these artists nail it! Korean productions are all what I watch online for good reason.

Carol-Anne Welsh May 06 2025 4:24 pm K Drama is some of the best entertainment in the world and so too is the calibre of acting.. This show was mesmerising ...the characters are so intense and so we escape our world as they struggle with theirs. The humerous moments are superb! Also it focused on disability ... not typical in many cultures, kudos! I have grown to Love Korean film and the talent in it. These are not easy roles to play .... but these artists nail it! Korean productions are all what I watch online for good reason.

Wang May 03 2025 1:21 pm Loved this drama. Chae Soo-Bin and Yoo Yeon Seok was excellent.. Loved it.

Kimmy Apr 23 2025 7:39 am The fact that Yoo Yeon Seok is the only backbone in this drama.

Amna Faisal... Apr 15 2025 12:12 pm Best of the bestest drama...

I have a humble request, please please I want the episode-wise background music of this drama please please... especially episode number 4... thank you... please is there anyone here who can help?

eli Apr 01 2025 5:27 pm i think this is a must watch!! plus yeonseok is sooooo hot

King Pup 1722 Mar 22 2025 10:12 am When The Phone Rings isn’t just another chaebol-family melodrama. It’s a tightly wound thriller where a mute pianist (Chae Soo-bin, radiating quiet strength) outmaneuvers a political dynasty using stolen phones and calculated silence. Imagine The Glory meets Gone Girl (USA thriller film) but with classical music tension instead of revenge notebooks.

The Premise: Yoo Yeon-seok’s Baek Sa-eon begins as a cold, ambitious politician. His marriage to Hong Hee-joo (Chae Soo-bin) is a transactional alliance… until cryptic kidnap threats shake their lives. The twist? Hee-joo stages the crises to jolt her husband’s conscience. A mute heroine faking kidnappings? Bold, brilliant, and borderline unhinged.

Strengths: • Chae Soo-bin’s Silent Power: Without speaking a word, she conveys defiance, trauma, and cunning through subtle glances and trembling hands. Her performance is a masterclass in nonverbal acting. • The Kidnapper’s Depth: Park Jae-yoon’s villain isn’t a cartoonish evil—he’s a wronged son seeking vengeance after being erased by his own family. His motives are twisted yet tragically human. • Shim Kyu-jin’s Twisted Logic: Chu Sang-mi’s matriarch covers up her biological son’s murders (he killed kids) to protect the family’s political legacy. Her warped loyalty to power over morality—prioritizing dynasty over derangement—is chilling, even if it defies real-world sense.

Quibbles: • Shim Kyu-jin’s Illoyalty to Logic: Why shield a serial killer son? The drama handwaves it as “generational rot,” but her refusal to stop him strains credulity. It’s peak K-drama villainy—unhinged, entertaining, but why?! • Sa-eon’s Whiplash Growth: His shift from icy politician to self-sacrificing husband feels rushed, though Yoo Yeon-seok’s charisma sells it. • Survival Plot Armor: Hee-joo endures crashes, falls, and gaslighting that would break anyone. But her resilience is the story’s backbone—so we’ll allow it.

The Finale: The ending delivers catharsis: corrupt matriarchs face justice, secrets unravel publicly, and Hee-joo emerges not as a victim, but a strategist. It’s a satisfying close to her arc from pawn to powerhouse.

Verdict: When The Phone Rings is an addictive mix of suspense and melodrama, lifted by Chae Soo-bin’s haunting performance. While Shim Kyu-jin’s choices mirror the over-the-top villainy of classic K-drama antagonists, the series thrives on emotional payoff and moral complexity until the final episode. The show could’ve ended at Episode 11, but Episode 12 drags with an unbelievable detour: Hee-joo treks into a war zone filled with soldiers and rebels to search for Sa-eon at a sunset scenery spot. It’s a contrived, ridiculous angle that clashes with the grounded tension of earlier episodes.

Final Take: Watch it for the mind games and Chae Soo-bin’s brilliance, but brace for a finale that suffers a huge drop in quality. 7.5/10 – a bingeable ride with a clunky last lap.

kobolstone220 Mar 21 2025 3:57 am great start and buildup but sadly it fell of at the end

sis Feb 26 2025 6:49 pm This drama is really good, every episode is exciting, I finished watching it in a day and still watching until now. The chemistry is really good too, no wonder this drama won a lot of awards.

elliemae207 Feb 25 2025 7:12 am I can see why the ratings are so low... this kdrama is sooo boring... I can't even get past episode 3. Enough said! :-( Too bad because i really like both male & female leads...

Deeee Feb 22 2025 9:44 am This was an amazing show!!

Lex Feb 19 2025 4:30 am I already watched it 5 times and still get this entire zoo in my stomach everytime Baek Sa-eon appears. YYS is really something. I don't think I could ever move on from him.

Kdrama Llama Feb 14 2025 1:39 am Was I entertained by this drama, yes, did I like the first and second lead couple, yes, believe their chemistry, yes, did I like the MLs sharp suits, yes, his hilarious work colleague Mr Kang, also yes… Did I always understand or even believe what was happening, absolutely not!

The show was totally bonkers but I enjoyed it.

Yoochae Feb 06 2025 6:06 am Ep 1 - 12 is amazinggg! Yeon suk & soo bin was well prepared. Off screen & on screen they're truly performed! I like when Yeon Sok doing adlibs to soo bin :)) I shipped them so hard! You will make a great couple in life!!

Maybe they're partner/life soulmates..? Who knows..!! :)

Gina Feb 06 2025 2:11 am It's 2025 still have not moved on.. I watched WTPR in 406.. times Chaesoobin and YeonSeaok chemistry is not an ordinary kdrama .. Something between their chemistry is incredible I. I will not going to ship them Because Chae Sobin has a high standards when it came to man. While YeonSeaok is Frank that he never interested with chaesoobin in a recent interview.. I like that ..both mutual in feeling.. for them is purely work and professionalism.. Must watch. When the phone rings: Are you hiding something from me ?.

GR Jan 31 2025 8:00 am Overall, the story is great but not very unique. I watched Vincenzo (from Netflix as well, the villain had a similar story line). Yeon is intense, I watched him in Hospital Playlist and his role here in When the Phone Rings is meatier and delivered well. Chae is beautiful but for me lacking as an actress, almost have the same facial expression whether she is happy, crying, etc. I wasn't even convinced with the chemistry as well. Now, Yu ri and Sang Won characters are so cute, they have strong chemistry and I wish they will have their own rom-com series. They are convincing as lovers. With other supporting actors, I like Mr Kang (funny) and Mr Park (serious)

Magda USA Jan 27 2025 7:51 pm Excellent!!! Couldn’t stop watching! Great acting! Great chemistry between two main characters! Very handsome and beautiful main characters! As well as supporting actor and actress! Very interesting and intriguing plot. Will be watching it again in about a week. Too good not too!

Betty Jan 25 2025 7:14 pm Yeah agree with some reviewers, too many slow mo, closed up, very loud BGM and little over dramatic. I totally get it , it’s Netflix drama, always end up popular no matter what due to higher budget and worldwide viewers. Yys was great, he always delivered , Csb is also great actress but maybe not good fit for this role . Overall, story was too simple and repetitive, I’ll give 7/10. Still so many other dramas better than this but not airing on Netflix tbh.

Yuki Jan 25 2025 11:21 am First 10 episode looks ok. But final two episode are super boring. Last episode doesnt make sense at all. Overall 5/10. Lots of better drama out there. Generally, is a waste of time :(

Kdramabunny Jan 23 2025 9:48 pm Unlike most of the comments here, I did not feel the chemistry between the leads. The drama is also extremely repetitive..like how many times can you get kidnapped!? 7/10.

rodney76 Jan 23 2025 6:18 pm The first six episodes were fascinating, and the last six were ridiculous.

Mony Jan 21 2025 3:36 am The best drama I have watched lately! It was an emotional rollercoaster. Every small detail and emotion was so well portrayed by the actors, it was amazing!

rizu Jan 15 2025 5:49 am best romance / thriller show i have watch

Monesha Jan 10 2025 11:33 pm Chae Soo-Bin and Yoo Yeon-Seok chemistry in this drama is out of this world. Wow!! They are excellent actors, they portrayed these characters exceptionally. They made this drama to seem real, only that the drama wasn't to their level of acting. Them being leads, made this drama a bit interesting, but drama story was just lukewarm. They are gifted actors, they are born actors not made into actors.

They would make a great couple in real life, that's just my opinion.

Okayish Jan 10 2025 3:53 pm The first 8 episodes were gripping and 9 & 10 were also quite okay. But sadly fillers were added in 11 and 12 which did not sit well with me. But majority of the group still like it. I loved the second lead pair. They were so cute together. Wish to see their love line in a separate series. The girl especially was far too cute. I have been a fan of the female lead since a long time. Watched her in Moonlight drawn over clouds where her role was overshadowed by the main leads and Cheer-up where she portrayed troubled teenager character very well. I fell for her in I'm not a robot and loved her in Rookie inspector series. She's so talented and also seems to have a soft personality. Unfortunately I haven't seen the male lead in any of the dramas I had watched. Needless to say, he nailed the role. OST - See the light; I have listened to it on loop for weeks together. Such a beautiful song and suits the color of the drama.

Elba Jan 10 2025 2:46 pm Love the series. Love the actors, very well done. Kept me going and looked forward to the drama.

Dar Jan 10 2025 10:03 am Best drama ever! And I am rewatching this already! Not sure why the bad reviews! Sooooo good!

Jenny Jan 10 2025 8:53 am I just love everything about it..The only drama last year that hooked me up and made my comeback to watch kdrama since the other dramas are not good at all and i lost interest

Mini Jan 10 2025 4:43 am I am still trying to wrap my head around the section chief and the reporter being the same age as both the Paik Sa Eons

Unni~ah Jan 09 2025 4:10 pm True chaebol makjang meets halequin romance(known as wattpad romances to younger gens) with not one boring moment. Most are a theater actor(and are all on another level) but the kidnapper Park Jae-yoon is a theater actor doing his first major role in any drama and he was simply amazing: his body acting down to the smallest expressions with just lips or eyes and even hands- his body language, all his uniform tics and stutter and motions, his crazy action scenes, that whistle and way he says unnia and that macabre beauty when he hacks fish(he is tall, good looking with sexy arms). His villain is something like The Joker. And I did feel bad for the kidnapper despite him being irredeemable in the last few epsiodes.

Rain Jan 08 2025 9:08 pm This is the best Korean series I've ever watched! Yoo Yeonseok, the man that you are!

Ronny Jan 08 2025 12:59 pm Got bored after 6-7 ep and fast forward to the last Yoo_Yeon-Seok is very talented and his acting was good. Other actors also did great job except the lead actress chae so bin. No. Expressions, poker face all the time. I have seen her other dramas and she was good on those. But in this drama I was annoyed by her acting. Overall drama was okay but yes not meant for under 18.

Nguyen Thi Phuong Lien Jan 08 2025 12:06 pm It's such a long time I havent watched a good series until When the phone rings. I will miss the drama a lot

Sakura03 Jan 08 2025 10:11 am I will definitely miss this drama!!! I love the tension and chemistry of Yeon Seok and Soobin! The tension, romance and thriller even the ost and soundtrack were so perfect for the tension and chemistry! I hope they made it 16 episodes so the argan part was well explained. Love this drama!

Soobinie Jan 08 2025 7:44 am YYS and SB has a great chemistry.. it's beyond words!! I really hope they can cast together in another project... Maybe historial / period drama!!

Kdramagirl Jan 08 2025 4:34 am I liked it. One plothole for me was the family of Hong hee joo. I couldnt grasp how her bond with her father was? And why she had to not speak for 20 years, did her mom think it was for her fathers sake or for her sisters sake? Then she starts speaking again but her family barely says a thing about it.

And another thing... hong hee joo lost a brother but didnt even say one word about it in the series??? Probably not her full brother but.. also her sister didnt talk about the dead brother? Its like he didnt even exist. Her family felt so weird and so off. But overall, liked the series

And what was the deal that hong hee joos father made with the old man

cleopatra Jan 07 2025 12:48 pm From all of his dramas, I think YYS looks the most handsome here.

Isha Jan 07 2025 11:10 am I really love this show

Isha Jan 07 2025 11:09 am I really love the ending,no from the start to finish , I don't regret watching this drama. There's no scene that I am no hooked every episode deserve to watch it.love it Chae Soo-Bin & Yoo Yeon-Seok really deserving to be award as best couple award, excellent actress and best actor .. I will never forget show. This is on my list of beautiful drama shows.

KST Jan 07 2025 9:10 am Amazing drama. Great chemistry!!!

aya Jan 07 2025 7:44 am this is beautifully crafted.. not your ordinary "arranged marriage" drama.. the twist and everything.. the chemistry and tension between male lead, YYS and female lead, CSB is superb.. I mean this is the drama I anticipated to watch after MR. QUEEN... no other drama catch my interest after Mr. Queen...

Rny Jan 07 2025 2:42 am The visual of Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae Soo Bin is truly captivating. Their chemistry is amazing and very emotionally engaging. Many wish that they would end up together in real life.. I do too! It is one drama with edgy story, but rather sweet. In my opinion, the plot is not disappointing. If you prefer a romance-thriller drama, this is for you.. although I must admit implicit details permeate the scenes so please pay extra attention when watching. I love this couple and wish them all the best! It's not easy at all to move on from SaJoo couple ♡♡

Karly Jan 06 2025 8:31 pm The chemistry between YYS and CSB is one of the best in Kdrama. Hopefully they work together again in another great project.

melophiler Jan 06 2025 9:43 am Jang Gyu-Ri <3

bsb Jan 06 2025 2:09 am i miss this already going to rewatch again for the nth time love you chae soobin!♡♡

sersi Jan 06 2025 12:49 am A drama that gives me butterfly on my stomach <3

Riaria Jan 05 2025 11:28 pm Great drama, the best of 2024. Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae Soo Bin are amazingly good.

jillian Jan 05 2025 8:59 pm Daebak! This is one of the best (mini) series we've watched! Love it so so much! The story plot, the acting and the all the cast nailed their respective roles. I became a fan of Chae Soo-Bin since I'm not a Robot with Yoo Seung-Ho.

But the chemistry between Yoo Yeon-Seok and Chae Soo-Bin is exceptional! Feels like they're for real! Love them so much and wish they will become couple in real life! ;) Looking forward to seeing them together again in another Korean drama / series!

Thank you for giving us great series with a beautiful ending! Congratulations to everyone!

Miranda Jan 05 2025 9:38 am 10 things that Sawan and Hye Joo promised: Don't use separate rooms, kiss each other when they wake up, don't touch each other until they fall asleep, walk together every day, don't be upset with each other, talk about your worries, express your love to me, for the smallest things Compliment each other, respect each other and eat at least one meal together

polar Jan 05 2025 9:37 am Loved this drama. One of the best in 2024/2025. Actors were on-point. Will rewatch. Give it a try and come to your own conclusion. Score 9 out of 10.

Ji Jan 05 2025 9:09 am Don't people get tired of all these tsundere knight in shining armor trope? Watching it at speed 1.5x, and I think I'm gonna drop it after 5 ep. This show is like the compilation of every cringe puts together. lol I wanted to give it a try for YYS, but I don't think I can take it anymore.

maijamm Jan 05 2025 1:57 am Good actors and camera work. I liked making sign language visible. But the writing was just baaad. No amount of great acting could have saved those cringy moments… I don’t know if it’s the fault of the og source material or the screen writers but damn. I have watched around 100 korean dramas and I don't remember the last time I’ve cringed so hard and often. I had high expectations but the product fell short. Sad.?

Morgo Jan 04 2025 6:47 pm From the very beginning, this is an over the top, fluffy melodrama filled with classic k-drama tropes and ridiculous twists. If that's your thing, give it a shot! If you're expecting profound or novel writing, look elsewhere. I tuned in because I like Yoo Yeon Seok, but overall it's not a remarkable show.

Laura Jan 04 2025 1:12 pm Well I like male lead in drama than both mangwa & novel . He is really logical , green flag character . But honestly that abroad scene is really out of character . This is not a masterpiece drama . But acting is top notch specially yeon seok , well I have seen his mamy works he literally live with his character 100% he is so versatile very manly hot actor . Soo bin also great . But honestly I feel like second lead couple should get more build up . Their chemistry was really good too. Yeonseok is such a natural .

Let Jan 04 2025 11:33 am What a massive fumble 1/10 !!!!!!

toggle Jan 04 2025 10:33 am As I have stated before------This was an excellent drama. Of course, no drama is perfect and although, I wondered about a certain story choice in ep 12, it was needed because each character was allowed a healing moment...an acknowledgment that they could be loved. They were both victims to a lot of family mess. It was also nice to see how other people were affected by the crappy events and how they chose to move forward or not. I love the fact that every relationship didn't get a neat bow. For some trust had to be rebuilt. There was forgiveness, redemption and the knowledge that family relationships take time...and an acknowledge of the need to communicate in all relationships. I can go on and on. There were so many wonderful, life-giving nuggets in this show, which is a testament to the wonderful storytelling. Well done. The entire cast was amazing. A special kudos to the ML and FL.

OluwaloniKIM Jan 04 2025 2:25 am This movie is a master piece. Majorly am the kind of person that wait till all the series episode is out before watching because of the curiosity. But for this I can’t wait I watched episode and episode and anticipate the next episode to be out. I love this drama. Congratulations Kdrama Fans

Joshuji Jan 04 2025 1:30 am Why hee joo always fell? Hahahaha its funny. Hoping for a happy ending please

Blue Jan 03 2025 7:32 pm @Flower this is because of sunk-cost fallacy, you watched half of it, might as well just finish it. This is what I'm going through at the moment, I watched half of it and now I'm just fast-forwarding the second half to see if anything worthy.

Mered Jan 03 2025 3:55 pm Only 1 more episode to get rid of this dragging chore

Mai Jan 03 2025 3:52 pm Regardless of different tastes, some things are just objectively leaning towards one end over the other, which is mediocrity.

LW Jan 03 2025 2:41 pm This show is awesome. I feel like every single drama has haters--especially towards FLs, Idk what's up with that--but this drama quickly made my top 10 and with 1 ep left it ::fingers crossed:: looks like it's going to stick the landing really well. Has def been 100x better than manhwa, and has only been ONE thing I've taken issue with (Why Didn't He Just Push The Gas Pedal???). Other than that it's been stellar.

Eunjae Jan 03 2025 1:00 pm Episode 11

It's so funny that we've waited a whole week to find Hee-Joo, and now we need to wait a day to find Sa-eon's whereabouts. The plot twists are so thrilling! I didn't see it coming that Sa-eon is Paik Jang-ho's son. I overlooked it, even though all the hints were there. It's a good twist, but it also makes me confused at the same time haha.

winter Jan 03 2025 12:35 pm So what am I supposed to do after this?! ??? I will be left empty again. I will miss my delulu Saju couple.

Emily Boca Jan 03 2025 12:02 pm It’s a 5 star⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me. There’s no a dull moment on every episodes. The 2 lead couples are amazing. And most of all every episodes make you keep on watching for more.. i mean it made me look forward for what will gonna happen for the next episode. I can’t wait to watch for the 12th episode. Love it.

Ver Jan 03 2025 11:57 am Yeah this is at the very bottom of what I watched in 2024

Bimini Jan 03 2025 11:56 am Awesomely good. Unexpectedly good. Not at all the story that I thought would follow Episode One. Yoo Yeon-Seok is such a great character actor, totally inhabiting the skin of another personae. Chae Soo Bin played her part with such conviction. The story line was twisted (my favourite). Lots of great supporting roles. Well written. Well directed. Should have had more on line hype prior to appearing on Netflix. Addressing the previous comments: If you didn't like it, why did you watch it? Must have been something good in the content to hook you until the end, right?

The Fake Paik Sa On Jan 03 2025 11:22 am Wow ????...amazing ???? Five Star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Okel Jan 03 2025 10:41 am @rikki gave it my time and was super disappointed for wasting my time lol

BBloud Jan 03 2025 10:20 am I love this drama can't wait for ep12

rikki Jan 03 2025 8:13 am Wow. This ranks up there with some of the best. The acting and storytelling is great. Never a dull moment. The casting is also great.

It goes to show that one does not need a lot of episodes to tell a story. This is definitely worth a rewatch.

Give it a try. You won't be disappointed at all.

union Jan 02 2025 11:08 pm I think it's an interesting phenomenon that two 2024 dramas, that became major hits internationally, and also created a lot of buzz in Korea (ranking first on both drama and actor buzzworthy rankings), had pretty underwhalming ratings in korean tv. I'm talking ofc about our WTPR (around 7-8% viewership, airs on national tv station), but the same happened with Lovely Runner (around 4-5% viewership, aired on cable station). Both of them didn't have major A-listers, so maybe that is one of the reasons? But both of them made the main male actors really popular too ? of course there are more differences between them than similarities. Just sharing my casual thoughts haha

Taxshj Jan 02 2025 11:39 am Where do I start? This drama was getting so much positive reviews and being widely discussed by the majority of kdrama viewers that I figured I should check it out. Wow! What a let down, I mean Ive watched my fair share of mediocre kdramas but I think I can safely and accurately say, this drama is the worst drama I have ever watched period. There is nothing that stands out and let me break it down for you. The writing makes no sense, why is this girl mute for 20 years just because her mom told her to? Compared to her dead brother and her sister who became disabled for real, she is actually perfectly healthy and privileged but the whole drama she acts a victim and even the main male character fuels her victim hood “oh poor heejoo cant talk and her mom is mean to her” in reality this girl is rich has a good job and married the guy she liked. This leads us to characters that we as viewers can’t like or relate to. Kdramas used to write good female characters that we cheered for and who actually faced real struggles. In this drama both leads are boring and have no depth, they just use their good looks and misunderstandings to push every episode forward. The girl has the same expression throughout the whole show, a damsel in distress but we can’t fully feel why she is so sad because they never show it. The writers rather focus on stupid cliche kdrama falls and jealousy tropes. The parents of these characters are so one dimensional and have 2 minute scenes every so often of how horrible they are that it is just badly done. So just like how they have random scenes of their evil parents, we get random scenes of the real villains of the drama making plans to hurt or catch the main characters, but they never say that it’s just alluded to. And when these behind the scenes bad guys do something its gets resolved so anticlimactically that you as a viewer feel nothing. One time the female characters gets hijacked virtually and it almost kills her, a week later she goes inside that car again with the same malware in it and it locks her in the car and she can’t get out.. because they never resolved what was wrong with that car and like someone who is not a thinking adult she went in that car and she’s all scared. What??? I am sorry this drama must be written by AI because it lacks emotion it lacks character building it lacks solid and cohesive plots. And that’s just the first 7 episodes, i heard the last 3 episodes drag out. How? It’s already a show with very little story that makes no logical sense and has bad acting from some characters.

off Jan 02 2025 10:52 am It's so off putting the drama is mostly for young teenage girls as the target audience

frommars Jan 01 2025 8:25 pm its a very romantic drama, although it doesnt make sense at all there is no build up romance between the two main characters, they just try to cover it up with 3 years of marriage lol and with that came the bigger confusions why does he treat her that way for 3 years but suddenly like her this much

face expressions of the both main characters is refreshing in kdrama this level of basic is usually done in cdrama, kdrama watchers are too matured for this level of storyline and acting although i actually like it,

need some basic kdrama to rest our minds, good kdrama like The Trunk is too tiring to process lol.

Marcia Jan 01 2025 6:16 pm The storytelling, mystery and romance, is awesome: The chemistry between the leading couple is amazing, and the secondary coupe is cute. The original story is a webtoon beautifully adapted to the screen. If you want to criticize and destroy the drama remember this is fiction and the main goal of fiction is to create a fantasy world that you can immerse yourself in, even though you know it is unreal.

afep Jan 01 2025 11:53 am I don't think it's good, not even average...

Net Jan 01 2025 10:29 am It just had a very terrible pacing and storytelling

Andrea Schusman Jan 01 2025 3:25 am 59 rated???? Really??? I often check the rated of the drama here to decide if see or not…this case is absolutely no fair ! I cannot say it’s the best drama of the year but for sure it’s good and the plot it’s interesting. The lead actors are good also. Only need to say I don’t feel a good chemistry between them… but I think 85-90 points it’s a good rate for them. So don’t see the rate just see the drama and decide by your self .

Kikky Dec 30 2024 4:14 pm I’m a sucker for the unconditional love between a smart and brave male lead with cute and kind female lead.

Watcher Dec 30 2024 12:29 pm Yummy, my weekly relaxation delivered as always! Honestly what is happening is out of this world but that's why I like it. The romance between leads starts off a bit toxic but as the story progresses we see ML regret his behaviour and FL speaking up for herself. I really like FL because even when she is silent she isn't passive and has very strong will. Also the villain is well built so it makes sense why he is targeting the leads.

Haesoo Dec 30 2024 11:19 am I kind of like this, I mean is okay. It reminds me of those wattpad stories where the male lead is a rich man and has power and bad temper, then we have the female lead who’s quiet and is there for the man… also kind of like omega-alpha.

this drama is very wattpad coded haha but I mean, is from a webtoon, so makes sense. It’s good for a single watch!

Ulinurina Dec 30 2024 8:45 am Who the real Paik Sae Eon ?

lala Dec 30 2024 3:46 am na you ri and sang woo had the best chemistry! i love them haha they are so cute

LCLY Dec 30 2024 1:16 am What a terrible series... draggy and try so hard to be another series and infused some unneccessary plots.... the main actor facial expression is even worst.... what happen to his eyes and eyebrow?! why he keep \ / all the time even when he's joy and happy.... terrible acting!

Jamse Dec 29 2024 9:51 pm I’d like to see a follow up drama with the Sang Woo and You Ri character as the stars. The actors have a fun chemistry together.

Mina Dec 29 2024 3:32 am Omg I saw Oh Seung-ah from Rainbow just for a brief second in episode 7. That was so fun! This show is so good and that made me happy to see her! Sister keeps a bag!

Ace Dec 29 2024 12:37 am Why it only have 12 episode ??

pema Dec 28 2024 10:36 pm It should've ended before 2025, sigh!

Mae Dec 28 2024 10:09 pm Last 2 more episodes! I will miss them a lot Paik Sa-eon and Hong Hee Joo! It is very very beautiful drama. More power to all the staff of When the Phone Rings. Cheers!

Psycho Paradise Dec 28 2024 8:40 pm The most amazing K-drama I've ever watched, mystery political romantic family trouble psychological what else? Love the twists, thought sang woo was the twin but now do jae is?

Blanca Trueba Dec 28 2024 6:59 pm @Labby

(SPOILERS) Sang Woo is not the real Paik Sa-Eon. The real Paik Sa-Eon is the kidnapper.

The real Paik Sa-Eon is a psychopath who killed other kids from the orphanage since he was a kid. That's why his parents often locked him up and his grandfather decided to kill him by drowning him in the lake. The family then made the ML character take over the identity of Park Sa-Eon.

One of the kids murdered by the real Paik Sa-Eon had a twin brother, Park Do-Jae. He wanted to avenge the death of his twin brother by targeting the current Sa-Eon, didn't realise that his brother was actually murdered by the kidnapper (real Paik Sa-Eon).

Caroline Dec 28 2024 3:15 pm @labby1978 the real baek saeon was a psycho, he started killing animals for fun and then started to kill kids from the orphanage next door. And one of the kid he killed had a twin and if you watch the show you now know who the other twin is. He wanted to get revenge for his twin’s murder by ruining baek saeon but he didn’t know that he was actually helping the real murderer of his twin brother. I don’t know if this help or not. My English is not that good

Labby1978 Dec 28 2024 2:55 pm Great storyline, but can someone explain the twins story..I understand the show hasn’t ended yet, but a guess might help .. I’m sort of confuse what the situation with them is.. besides one twin is missing and what relationship the kidnapper have with paik saeon. I still think sang woo is the real paik saeon, but it’s a bit confusing.. just have to keep watching, love it!

sarah Dec 28 2024 12:29 pm I find the pace of the drama to be perfect.... yes there are loopholes and deficiencies but otherwise it is going on pretty well. I like how they are answering our questions one by one. At the end, things should make sense. I like how they have shown Baek sa eon to be human being, not robot who is able to carry out the press conference without getting affected by his wife's situation.

Mbokne Sapi Dec 28 2024 12:18 pm @sk welcome to the 'on going kdramas' world LOL

mk Dec 28 2024 11:05 am Wow! This shows keeps getting better and better. Not once has it dragged or lost focused. The fullness of the storytelling is great and the acting is top-notched. I look forward to the last two episodes which I hope will bring the story to a conclusion of new life for the characters. That would definitely explain the layout of episode 10. This isn't the type of story where the perp is caught and everyone rides off into the sunset.

So far, this is worth more than 1 or 2 watches.

Bet Dec 28 2024 10:47 am Okay now they started dragging the drama too much ahhhh

sarah Dec 28 2024 9:00 am hahaha.. i too love the typical romance in kdrama..i mean whats wrong with looking for some sweet scenes when all we are getting in real life is stress from every direction. i am totally enjoying the fluff that comes with the scenes of our leads and i just love their chemistry even if the scenes are sometimes cringe-worthy

Y’all Dec 28 2024 7:53 am The cheesiness/clichés is exactly what I watch kdrama for lmao. I enjoy it more going into it with like 0 expectations.

sole Dec 27 2024 5:54 pm Most of the events feel made up and super forced for the sake of it. It's also so cheeeesy that it makes me skip forward some scenes

sk Dec 27 2024 1:52 am I have been watching K-dramas for a long time. This series was the only one I watched while it was airing and waited for its episodes. The small details I noticed in the clips from the series on social media drew me to this series. As the episodes progress, I get very excited as I see that the small scenes in the previous episodes are actually clues for the next episodes. I am very sad that there are only 12 episodes. And I can't understand why it got such a low score on this site. Kudos to the writer, director and actors.

yuri-ssi Dec 26 2024 10:53 pm I was expecting absolutely... Nothing! And this drama gave me everything. The title didn't get my attention, even the sinopse of the story didn't make me watch it, but I read the comments bellow and I thought "well, I'll give this one a chance since everyone's saying this is worth it" and yeah, it's def worth it. I love the main couple, their chemistry, I love the plot of the story, it's full of mystery, I still don't understand what happened in the past, who are the twins, what are the villains goals, why is the FL boy friend is involved, what are the Ml's past secrets... Anyway, there are so many things going on on this show, it got me hooked up already on episode one.you should definitely give this one a try

anon Dec 26 2024 2:11 pm @shrt It is a "fanfic" a pop 19+ smut novel that got turned into a teen rated kdrama

baek mari Dec 26 2024 12:52 pm this so far like While You Were Sleeping kind of hook

shrt Dec 26 2024 11:07 am The bad boy trope is super cringe. Keep that bs in fanfics

harlee Dec 25 2024 10:39 pm overrated, i dont like it at all, i tried to watch it twice, there no excitement at all, ending up sleeping, im on episode 3

miamor Dec 25 2024 10:04 pm WTPR is the only k-drama that pulls me away from my c-drama era lol i thought i was never gonna come back as k-dramas these days rarely interest me.. WTPR gives such old-school (2000s) vibes. It takes me back to when koreans were super corny and cliché but they were The Master of corny and cliché. I am gonna keep listening to the beautiful OSTs while waiting for the next EPs. If you can, wait until it's completed otherwise it might drive you crazy lol i feel so insane rn what have they done to me

Hyperborea Dec 25 2024 8:20 pm Incredibly exciting and talentedly written series. Kudos to everyone involved. The casting is also 100% successful! The best Korean series of 2024.

Xxxjj Dec 25 2024 6:13 am baek saeon is the master of literal reading into the lines lol. maybe they've done it countless times that he's able to read her text from a weird angle. he has the ability to comprehend it even when she hasn't finished her typing lol.

but when I think about it, it's brilliant for the writer to make his character as an ex news anchor. it was his job to read the floating texts in a flash. so he must have a fast reading pace and reading comprehension. sometimes I feel like heeju just flashed her phone in front of him for a few seconds and he could read all that.

love the analogy: news anchor, reading the lines.

in case anyone's wondering if it's possible. realistically it is, because he's a former news anchor.

I don't know the training system to become a news anchor, but when I was in middle school our teacher trained us to enhance our reading speed. we had to read a certain text and to monitor how many words per minute we were able to read within the specified time. and did it repeatedly. I suppose the discipline to become a professional should be more than that. and if you do that almost every day, that's possible to read a text in a quick second.

edit: just did a quick search and a pro news anchor has around 150 - 175 wpm.

let's assume that heeju said two sentences in a text and per sentence has an average of 7 words. just to make it easy to count, let's say baek saeon's average speed is 120 wpm. that makes two words per second. then it'll take him 7 seconds to read her text.

and for the record, heeju doesn't always say something that much.

mazx Dec 23 2024 11:34 pm The drama had some misogyny sprinkled all over the place

Nana Dec 23 2024 7:48 pm I really loveee this drama! A watpadd-coded drama but not cirnge and very excellently executed!!!!!! Loveeee the romance the mystery the casts

Blad Dec 23 2024 11:20 am I don't respect a drama that insults and underestimate the viewers so blatantly

Clara Dec 23 2024 9:12 am Frankly I liked the plot but because it is based on a webtoon it is missing many connecting dots, maybe poor screenwriting or poor directing, it didn't feel like watching drama felt like watching manga with pictures moving, many cut scenes sometimes not related to each other, only the actors pulling it to a watchable degree, but I'm losing interest in it, don't feel excited anymore.

Jen Dec 22 2024 10:02 pm Spoiler

I truly think “master” is Chu Sang Mi, because she has been very resentful in multiple scenes. I can’t decide who I think the real Sa Eon is. I’m thinking Sang Woo, but I’m not sure. I do believe he is the one who pushed her though.

Danelibby Dec 22 2024 1:23 pm The story is cute and i cant wait for another episodes. Its just so sad that it is only up to 12 episodes. I love cha soo bin eversince and yoo yeon seok character here is very manly. Loved their chemistry. Hopefully these two will star in another rom com.

Jini Dec 22 2024 9:24 am From the start I’ve always thought this kdrama is weird. I mean, the phone calls threatening your own spouse kinda feels like some fetish/kink? After that I made the decision to read the ebook and I gotta say it’s a wrong move because the storyline is completely different. ? ntm the series being only 12 eps and so many scenes got cut off. This series is honestly mid to me and yoo yeon seok being so brooding irks me while chae soo bin trying so hard to carry the whole show I bet she’s got slipped disc because of it. The plot feels rushed and I’m no longer excited to wait for new eps. Sucks because I’ve always loved chae soo bin’s acting but they really did her dirty this time.

Nimi Dec 22 2024 8:27 am The writer taking different romantic scenes from queen of tears Lmaoooo…it should just end already

Brenda Dec 22 2024 7:59 am Sang woo is definitely the real Paik Sa Eon. I also believe he's the one who pushed Hee Joo in the mountain.

SoTenn Dec 21 2024 10:36 pm I've not enjoyed any KDrama this much in years (I do watch a few every year, but the last time I was this hooked this much, I don't remember...)

I've absolutely enjoyed the lead's chemistry and sexual tension, especially the first few episodes, and I look forward to new episodes every Friday! I even tried Hospital Playlist for YYS because I've been repeating WTPR episodes too much, and I must say I love how this actor portrays his character!

For those who think WTPR is illogical, let me tell you, yes it will be because this is the nature of a webtoon/manhwa/novel based drama. You simply need to leave behind your rational brain and just enjoy the drama.

There are plenty of good slice of life Kdramas, and WTPR is not one of this genre. If anything, I would thank WTPR for helping me realise how good an actor is of YYS because he delivers different roles so well!

Kudos again to the leads and production team for giving us a blast before 2024 ends.

phone Dec 21 2024 5:27 pm Don't pick up the phone !

Blue Dec 21 2024 2:28 pm Spoiler:

After watching episode 8, I believe I’ve pieced together a few clues. I think the one threatening the ML is the real son of the Paik family, as he wants to reclaim what’s rightfully his. His mother spoke to him through the camera, assuring him that she would protect him, not the ML. Either the Kidnapper or the Master is the real son, which explains his desire for revenge against the ML. He didn’t want the ML to have any happiness, so he stopped the FL’s older sister from marrying him, but he didn’t anticipate her younger sister marrying him instead. Initially, when he learned that they didn’t love each other and the FL wanted to leave him, he was happy. However, once he discovered that she had changed her mind, he attempted to kill her to make the ML miserable and lonely. He can’t stand that the ML has replaced him and taken everything that would have been his had his grandfather not disowned him and tried to kill him due to his evil and murderous tendencies. That’s just my takeaway from this episode.

Brea Dec 21 2024 12:56 pm After watching ep 8, I think the killer is Sangwoo and he is using Hee Joo’s kidnapper and the kidnapper is one of the twin in the orphanage who Sang Woo killed and brainwashed the kidnapper that it was Saeon who killed that’s why he is making a revenge on Saeon. Sangwoo is the real Saeon…

sarah Dec 21 2024 12:40 pm I first saw yoo yoon seok many years back in a drama and i hated his acting.. it was terrible then, but i cn see nw that he has improved A LOT. YYS has been able to pull off good chemistry with CSB though i wont say it is excellent but i m still enjying it Drama has its plot holes but it is still entertaining enough for me to wait for its next eps eagerly

pholdk Dec 21 2024 10:38 am I have to say the male lead feels like a lot of cring

I figured out the plot I guess Dec 21 2024 10:16 am From watching episode 5, I think the bad guys are family of the orphans who were killed by the real "Paik Sa Eon" .They want revenge not knowing that Paik Sa Eon is not the real one, thats why it was mentioned that they want him also to loose someone precious to him. I think Na You Ri was also informed by the bad deeds of real Paik Sa Eon thats why she refused to be wed with him. The real twin brother is the kidnapper taki g revenge for his lost twin brother.

becky710 Dec 21 2024 7:40 am I am loving this drama. The chemistry between the ML and FL is great and the story has me captivated. I love the twists and can't wait for the next episodes release.

Yully Dec 21 2024 7:10 am I think the child that Sang Woo told You Ri is the real Paik Sa Eon. The mother or both parents knew about their physopath kid, so they replace him with child from orphanage where male lead from.

About kidnapper's partner, maybe someone from office cause who else join the hike trip?

But, I feel confuse about the matters that only family knew. Maybe someone hire kidnapper's partner and that someone are the real son? Or the mother or father hire kidnapper's partner?

Lani Dec 21 2024 6:47 am Very illogical!

Jojo Dec 20 2024 11:57 pm Episode 7,they finally kiss! Eish, I'm sitting here thinking, kiss already, try and give each other hope at least. I love the chemistry of the 2 x main actor/actress, intense and emotional. I'm still enjoying this series and looking forward to the rest of the story.

The haters? Lol, get a life already or go watch something else and stop leaving dumb comments, as if I was going to listen to your drivel, yeah - Bye Felicia.

pher Dec 20 2024 7:21 pm The amount of illogical plot holes are crazy wow

Anne Dec 20 2024 7:02 pm The chemistry....... The kiss...... Best kiss scene I've watched in a while. This drama has literally dragged me away from the recent k drama slump I've been in. The story did not go the way I expected.. infact, I don't even know what I expected. I love the actors. The ML and FL portrayed their roles beautifully. My words are all over the place. I haven't been this excited about a drama in a long while. Can't wait for the last episodes. Highly recommend

Ihtand Dec 20 2024 3:33 pm Alright I'm getting fed up I want the drama to end already pls

belle Dec 20 2024 3:32 am This show got me out of my what feels like 10 year long kdrama slump. I think the last romantic kdrama I genuinely enjoyed was CLOY. There was CLOY...and now there is WTPR. It's nice to see a show where the romance progresses believably, the dialogue is neither stunted nor dragged, the story is gripping and answers to questions do not get dragged on and on and on but are answered relatively quickly.

It's not perfection by any means but it's genuinely such an enjoyable show. I've been tired of dropping kdramas past few years where either there is a TSTL ML or an ultra feminist (and not in a good way) FML and the side characters take up too much screentime and like a gazillion other annoying, off-putting things.

This show is a breath of fresh air. Not to mention the chemistry and story the two characters share is so fricking beautiful!

Just a man and a woman deeply in love, in a silent marriage. She just craves the love and affection she never received throughout her whole life, and he, a man so broken and emotionally constipated, will go to any lengths to give it to her. Because she's his baby <3

weloveit Dec 20 2024 12:55 am What brings YYS masculinity is the innocent portrayal of CSB without which we wouldn't be this hyped up. She's brings this innocence in her character unlike anything I've seen in kdrama ( my opinion). Having this polar opposite dynamic of each character brings you clamoring for more. Let's just say they have this insanely Intense chemistry between them that all the loopholes of this drama can be overshadowed. You just simply want to devour their chemistry.

I have seen onscreen partners of YYS and they're good but not as insanely good (should I say great) as CSB. They've been building up sexual tension between these two since Episode 1 and I am not expecting something explicit but at least one steamy kiss scene would culminate this tension that's driving us all out of our wits ( YYS is a good onscreen kisser it would be a waste not to have that). We're more than half way through the series, is it much to ask for something this week?

They definitely brought the heat on this Winter!

Isha Dec 19 2024 10:45 pm Love it oppa paik Sa eon and unnie Hong hee-joo. The acting versatile...love it

Joy Willie Dec 19 2024 12:20 pm For someone who has a full-time 8am-5pm job, I watched all 6 episodes in less than 24 hours. This series got me hooked. I don't care what anyone says, it's a good watch. I am not a huge fan of the ML but he always delivers. I don't know what the remaining half of this drama has in store for us, but if they're as good as the first, this could easily be one of my top 3 kdramas of 2024.

I recommend.

DCHP Dec 19 2024 3:58 am It's quite clichéd and unrealistic at times but if you really like reading CEO/wattpad type books this is a perfectly enjoyable time!

It's serious within the story arcs but not so serious in a slice-of-life way, great for when you want to watch something romantic without analysing or thinking!

I like to believe that every woman has a little part of her that still likes these cliche if well made ofc. There’s a reason they’re cliches ?

I thought I would get over this wattpad phase but here I am ?

And yes it’s not deeply emotional and philosophical, but there’s a weight and authenticity to our characters, to their struggles and to their story!!

poqa Dec 18 2024 8:18 am Why is Sa-Eon behaving like that in the last episode

Kdrm Dec 18 2024 7:39 am This doesnt deserve such bad rating here. But yeah, it proves the popularity. Rating just show how much the drama got the attention

union Dec 18 2024 2:48 am I don’t know if this is posted but sharing it here When original Writer finds Drama more interesting than her own work ??

“Due to the popularity of #WhenthePhoneRings drama, its Kakaopage original web novel & webtoon also gain high popularity.

Original novel writer Geon-eomulnyeo expressed satisfaction, "#YooYeonSeok & #chae so bin synchronisation rate to the original characters is 200%"

In particular, Writer Geon-eomulnyeo praised, "Now when I read the original novel, I can hear #YooYeonSeok's voice. I feel that #BaekSaEon in the drama, which more refined in than the original novel's character, is sexier"

He looks cold and aloof, as if he doesn't want his wife to know he loves her, but his deep gaze that he can't hide, and his low, resonant voice are just like #BaekSaEon himself." ㅡ Writer Geon-eomulnyeo

With her bunny-like face, her frightened expression, and somewhat clumsy threats are just like #HongHeeJu I imagined while writing. She's like the live-action version of Hong Hee Ju" ㅡ Writer Geon-eomulnyeo

"When I wrote #WhenthePhoneRings novel, I want to show the process of an arranged marriage couple who convey others' words but didn't share each other's inner feelings, confirming their love for each other that they didn't even know existed, while going thru an extreme situation"

This part was captured so charmingly in the drama that even I, who know the story, became an avid viewer who watches the drama broadcast live" ㅡ Writer Geon-eomulnyeo of #WhenthePhoneRings original novel

Long Dec 18 2024 12:13 am The drama is too long I wish it was a little shorter.

minyoung Dec 17 2024 4:36 pm The female lead character performance was really bad, very wooden and cold.

seokjinie Dec 17 2024 8:01 am it's either the twins are sang woo and the kidnapper or do jae and the kidnapper

rainy Dec 17 2024 1:30 am I can't get over these latest episodes. They really were amazing. ✨

I've already written about the fifth episode, and the sixth? OMG. Every scene was my favorite, really.

Starting with the epilogue - I love their tricks to show the most intriguing moments at the beginning and at the end. In the fifth episode, it was the scene of his conversation with her mother, and in the sixth - a quiet confession, which was a balm for her soul and she really wanted to stay by his side. ? I have a question right away. I haven't watched a lot of kdramas, but somehow it caught my eye that 'I like you' confessions are often treated as a declaration of love. Is that true? Because I remember that in one series I watched, these words were said, without 'I love you'.

The scene at breakfast - I think that if it wasn't for that phone call, he would have found out what he did the previous evening. But that phone call changes everything. He really didn't want to take her into account. The scene in the office showed it. He had all the evidence in front of him, but he rejected the idea in his head that it was her. His vision of her in lingerie killed me ? (I know it's a TV series and 13+ on Netflix and despite the hot moments you won't be able to count on any exceptional excesses, but I'm counting on at least a hot kiss).

Learning sign language was heartbreaking, so completely different from the one in episode five. She wanting to teach him what matters most to her, he wanting to tell her how hurt he is. Ohhhh. ?

The bedroom. The moment when she realizes what could have happened yesterday was hilarious. She also really wanted him to remember, but she didn't expect such a reaction. And neither did he. They both hide their feelings for each other so much that it hurts.

The phone call. A masterpiece. She returns to the topic of her sister, he to the divorce. And finally they pour out what they really want. I liked the vision of them sitting next to each other. It definitely turned up the emotionality and intensity of the scene. ?

The integration trip is a pure romcom. He is so unprepared romantically. ?

An accident and another phone call. That changed the course of my life. On the one hand, she was afraid to call, on the other hand she wanted him to save her so much. He, waiting for her call, believed until the very end. Pretending to talk to the kidnapper turned up the intimacy of this scene even more, everything they said to each other was so important. It will definitely be a turning point in their relationship. ??✨

Besides, I love the actors. Their acting in the last scene was everything. They put a huge effort into presenting the characters, they literally live them. Bravo. ???

And now I ask myself why it's only Monday and not Friday? ?

Noni Dec 16 2024 11:08 am I'm more interested in all the mysteries than the romance! The romance feels heavily one-sided right now but i love watching Yoo Yeon Seok so I'm good :-).

Now I'm watching to find out:

What happened to the psychopathic kid who wanted to cadaver the cat and why was he replaced with the current Paik Sa-Eon???

What happened to the missing kids????

Is someone or some-ones going to jail for thisss??? I hope it's grandpa Paik with his dragon ring!

I think either Hee Jo's stepdad or Park Do Jae (or BOTH!) is controlling the kidnapper. Just the was the camera always focuses on Il-Kyeong's face and how Do Jae stands out more than any "helpful" character should.

afe Dec 16 2024 9:56 am This is a weird drama

shae Dec 16 2024 9:47 am I’ll get my biggest frustration with this drama out of the way first, and let me just say, it's an all-encompassing frustration that has managed to color every single thought I’ve had since watching this mess of an adaptation. I’ll try to make up for the excessive rambling you’re about to endure by starting with the most glaring problem that practically screams at you from the first scene and only grows louder until it’s impossible to ignore by the time the credits roll. Brace yourself, because here it comes: This is not a complete drama. That’s right. It’s incomplete, unfinished, and, in some places, downright incoherent. Right from the start, you get this uneasy feeling in your gut, like there’s a puzzle piece missing. That unsettling sense of incompleteness lingers and grows as you watch, until it transforms into something impossible to ignore by the end. And the most perplexing thing about it? The story thinks it’s complete. It pretends to be whole, rounded, and fully resolved, but it’s not fooling anyone who’s paying even the slightest bit of attention.

So, what exactly is missing? Is it the character development? No, although that leaves a lot to be desired. Is it pacing? Sure, but we’ll get to that later. What’s really missing, the thing that keeps the story from ever becoming truly compelling or satisfying, is conflict. Yes, conflict — the lifeblood of storytelling, the tension that drives the narrative forward, the challenges that push characters to grow, change, and reveal their true selves. Without conflict, all you have is a series of disconnected events strung together by sheer momentum, and unfortunately, that’s exactly what this drama delivers. It’s like watching a long and meandering slideshow of vaguely interesting moments that never quite gel into a cohesive or compelling whole.

Now, you might be wondering, ‘But how can you say there’s no conflict when there are clearly antagonists introduced, obstacles placed in the way of the protagonists, and various internal and external struggles that the characters are forced to grapple with?’ And that’s a fair question. On paper, yes, this drama appears to have all the ingredients of conflict: we’ve got poor upbringings, jealousy, underdogs fighting to prove themselves, personal loss, public scandals, vicious defamation campaigns, and more. The checklist is impressive, really. But here’s the kicker: none of it actually feels like conflict because the drama itself refuses to treat it as such, and, worse, the characters themselves don’t even seem to care half the time.

Let’s start with our favorite little star, shall we? Oh, what a fascinatingly inconsistent mess of a character she is. She’s dimwitted... until she’s not. Inexperienced... until she’s not. She’s the star of the show... until she’s overshadowed. She’s daring and bold... until she suddenly isn’t. Determined to achieve her goals... until she’s inexplicably passive. And don’t even get me started on her miraculous, almost laughably convenient transformation from being practically mute — a condition that multiple medical professionals have ruled as unchangeable — to suddenly speaking as if she never had an issue in the first place. It’s not growth, it’s not development, it’s just sloppy, lazy storytelling masquerading as a character arc.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not here to say that everything needs to be hyper-realistic or meticulously explained, but there’s a limit to how much suspension of disbelief you can ask from an audience. And this drama exceeds that limit by a wide margin. It doesn’t feel like the writers had any real plan for this character beyond a series of bullet points on a brainstorming board: 'She’s shy at first, but then she grows confident. She struggles to find her voice, but then she overcomes it. She faces adversity, but she triumphs.' It’s all surface-level, with no real depth or emotional weight to make any of it feel earned or meaningful.

But let’s not stop there, because the problems with this drama go far beyond just one poorly written character. As a whole, this adaptation is a classic case of style over substance — a shiny, polished exterior that falls apart the moment you scratch beneath the surface. It’s clear that a lot of effort went into making this drama look good: the cinematography is gorgeous, the costumes are stunning, and the production values are top-notch. But all of that is meaningless when the foundation of the story is so fundamentally flawed.

And oh, how flawed it is. This is a successful drama that utterly fails as an adaptation, and it’s almost impressive how thoroughly it manages to miss the mark. I know a cut and rushed mess when I see one, because I’ve seen far too many at this point, and this one is no exception. The pacing is erratic, the transitions between scenes are jarring, and the storylines are either dropped entirely or resolved in such a hasty, unsatisfying manner that you’re left wondering why they were introduced in the first place. It’s as if the writers started with a grand vision of what they wanted this drama to be but lost interest halfway through and decided to just throw together whatever they had lying around to meet a deadline.

Now, I’m fully aware that my opinion is likely in the minority here. I know there are plenty of people out there who absolutely adore this drama and consider it a masterpiece. And hey, more power to them. I’m not here to rain on anyone’s parade or tell them they’re wrong for enjoying something that I didn’t. But for me, this was an embarrassment of an adaptation — a shallow, underwhelming, and ultimately forgettable experience that failed to capture the heart, soul, and conflict of the story it was trying to tell. If you’re looking for a shining example of how not to adapt a beloved work, look no further than this.

I could go on and on about the flaws in this drama — and believe me, I could go on for far longer than this already ridiculously long and run-on sentence of a rant. But for now, I’ll leave it at this: flawed literature deserves better, and so do we.

Asdfg Dec 15 2024 10:30 pm The last episode is such a cliffhanger T_T now I have to for a week to watch 1 episode. Torture!!!!! I love how Sa Eon lost his composure because he was too worried about her. He was as if he was losing his mind!!! I want the days to come sooner

tired Dec 15 2024 5:59 pm Some people in the comments ask questions that are answered in the series. Literally, characters explain their reasons for their behaviour. Taste is taste so I'm not talking about people who genuinely don't enjoy this drama. I'm talking to people who didn't pay attention while watching the show and now don't understand it.I feel like show is giving every conclusion to the viewers and we just have to connect the dots. SPOILER Why is the FL introduced as mute but is talking—her mother made her pretend it. Why did ML not know that it was her calling with obvious signs—he didn't want to believe it. Why he doesn't tell her he already knows that it's her - chef kang told him sometimes it's better to let people have secrets, he is waiting for her to come clean. Why she doesn't trust him- her family messed her up. Why ML acted like he didn't care for her before- he literally thought she did care for him and only tried to get close to him because her mother made her, he also admitted to his faults. END SPOILER As always viewers don't disappoint when it comes to hating on FL or the actress playing the FL. So I will say something here too, FL is an interpreter, not a kidnapper or professional negotiator. She is a woman who had many bad things happen to her and is trying to play with the cards she's been given. The actress playing her is doing a great job and I don't see how one can say otherwise. Maybe before judging somebody's work try understanding the character they are playing. She is very expressive in moments when her character feels comfortable enough to express herself. FL was literally silenced by her mother and punished for not behaving in an upper-class manner, so it's not strange that her face is indifferent at times when she feels like she has to keep up a facade.

Dani Dec 15 2024 3:54 pm I'm loving this kdrama. I'm happy for every episode.

Sharmila Dec 15 2024 3:47 pm I really like this when the phone rings . really i am happy to see this drama . what a relief ?.deep touching my heart yoo yean love you so much i really appreciate your acting .hug you

Nadia Dec 15 2024 2:32 pm Does anyone know the name of the piece the orchestra was playing at the British Embassy dinner in episode one? I tried to Shazam it and Shazam came up with nothing.

As for this drama, the execution is kinda irritating me. Very sloppy. Even if she's upset about what he said, not reporting the kidnapping, especially when the kidnapper is still out there is dumb. The car hacking alone makes it dumb. And she still drives the car?!! It's all too sloppy.

Also, Cha So Bin is best when she's firey and expressive. This role is not a good fit for her. Unless we see her shed this puny, insipid character and rise like the phoenix on all of them, this is not a good fit for what she's capable of.

Fingers crossed the second half of this drama gets better. For now, it's a yawn.

MC Dec 15 2024 10:21 am Chae Soo Bin as FL is perfect for this. Her eyes speaks more than words. Love every expression she made. I love her acting so much

Vicki Dec 15 2024 10:08 am FL is so cringey. There's no chemistry at all. Such a weak acting, while the ML is outstanding.

Kdramafan Dec 15 2024 4:32 am OMG what a amazing drama. Lovvvveeee the Ml been a big fan since watched him in Mr Sunshine. What an amazing script, I thought its going to be another boringly same old thriller. But how wrong was I. How amazingly they grow feeling for each other, subtly done, in such a clever and entertaining way, without dragging it on, just right. Watched 6 episodes and impatiently waiting for the rest. Amazing the story they characters the acting. Just love it.

Janni Dec 15 2024 4:23 am In my country this drama is very popular and alwyas trending topic. I appreciated for actor actrees JJS and chae soobin very excelenced acting and chemstry

Endy Dec 15 2024 3:51 am Noone talked about the Teamleader Kang. I think he knows that HeeJoo is his wife. He let them make a heard, and pushing them together on the photo-taking scene (ep6). And he looked so happy and proud of SaOn, that he made the heart sign with HeeJoo. He is my favorite character. Even though he fears of SaOn he always says his oppinion to him directly.

Uwu Dec 15 2024 2:22 am I really do like this drama and especially the acting of ML, but wtf was that last scene in episode 5? XD falling into a kiss? Other than that this drama is my new obsession and the wait for the next episode is killing meee

seokjinie Dec 14 2024 8:23 pm i think hee joo's college friend sang woo is the villain, in episode 3 when they mentioned a serial arsonist, i remembered that one scene where the female reporter accidentally poured hot coffee on him and he didn't even flinched, also his comment about the action of the fangirls saying it was a nuisance

Seven Dec 14 2024 3:28 pm I can’t wait for episode 7. It just getting better and better.

Mystery Dec 14 2024 3:08 pm Most probably the criminal is park who work near him

Mystery Dec 14 2024 2:24 pm It's very nice drama .. and chemistry appear from 1st episodes And each feeling and emotions they have I feel with them .. It is very good I watch until 6th and waiting for second week

Dramakid Dec 14 2024 5:18 am I don’t know if it’s the writer or the producer,but ep5 was such a let down. I mean,it was just so obvious that Hee Joo was the one behind the call. How come Paik Sa Eon didn’t know it was her? How much proof does he need???! Seems they’re going to drag this phone conversation for a few more eps. Plus,Hee Joo is really getting on my nerves.

And to think people were already naming this drama the best kdrama this year…with just 4eps in…smh

Zeeza Dec 14 2024 12:51 am I loved this drama when it first aired, but episode 5 was such a letdown. I suspect the two-week gap raised my expectations, only to be met with predictable, cliché scenes. It was also frustratingly unnrealistic that the male lead (ML) couldn’t recognize Hee Joo as the caller, especially since she was standing right there. By now, he should know his wife’s phone, yet he didn't asked about the different phone that his wife is holding—that felt implausible.

Moreover, instead of offering comfort or showing warmth after seeing how traumatized his wife was in the previous episodes, he just scolded her, which felt cold and disconnected. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but I’m no longer excited about episode 6. This is frustrating.

Fizzy Dec 09 2024 5:55 am I just add to comment, like this is the best drama this year hands down? it's on a close track with QOT and Mr Plankton. I just love everything about this drama, the little details, everything just all adds up to sum up the whole story. And I have just become a huge fan of both the FL and ML!!! I love this drama so much, and I seriously don't want it to end, because tell my why there are just 12 episodes ?

Woah Dec 08 2024 10:44 am Best kdrama of 2024. It's been a while or to say the least a year since I watched kdrama that I didn't ff or fell asleep. Last time was The revenant. Thought at first it is boring but man it's good. Suspense,thriller, comedy and romance is perfectly balanced so far.

Ddeokbokkisan Dec 07 2024 6:48 pm I feel like it's been ages since I saw Chae Soo Bin in a drama, she looks as unique and gorgeous as ever. Just watched epi 1. Looking forward to watching this series!

I love this drama ?? Dec 06 2024 3:31 pm l love this drama ??

ARMY Dec 06 2024 12:24 pm l love this drama

BBloud Dec 06 2024 8:05 am What?!!! Ep 5 next week 13 décember , oh no ?

Ring ring Dec 06 2024 2:34 am The phone conversations are beginning to change from threatening to lamenting and counselling sessions between the couple...hahaha cute and touching.

Ring ring Dec 06 2024 2:30 am The kidnapper said that "sis had the same goals as us...meaning more than 1 person. Are her dad and sister also involved in a fight back against the Hong and Paik families?

King A A Dec 05 2024 11:41 pm This duo is a power-house in "When the Phone Rings". they are excellent actors, their chemistry/connection is captivating. This is like one of the best k-drama series of 2024, if not the best, they just kept me glued to my screen in "When the Phone Rings". I kept on repeating the previous episodes, while waiting for the next one. They are truly a sensation. Keep doing it big Chae Soo-Bin & Yoo Yeon-Seok. Looking forward to seeing you in more k-dramas. Love ya! ❤

Inmo Dec 05 2024 6:58 pm @Ring ring I was wondering about that too, so I thought a bit. IMO, it was because of the first impression from their very first interaction was so strong which resulted an initial conclusion of the Kidnapper being a man. It wasn't until later when an explosion happened while he's on the cal that a point of doubt is found, thus he suspects there's also accomplices. I believe since then he had already had suspicions, just not being explicitly shown on screen.

EncA Dec 05 2024 11:24 am Suiweb chemistry on main character ..

Ring ring Dec 05 2024 7:34 am How can a trained negotiator not be able to tell that a woman is on the line. Even with a voice changer the speaking styles between genders are different.

DramaQueen Dec 04 2024 10:55 pm Interesting, intriguing and I am gradually getting the feel of a budding romance in each new episode.

Jaabamboo Dec 04 2024 8:24 pm Nice drama

K DRAMA Lover Dec 03 2024 6:13 am Please give Yoo Yeon Seok a daesang!!! 4 episodes in and his acting is so extraordinary since the 1st episode. Chaebal please. He's such a talented man!!

Dghtr Dec 02 2024 9:48 pm Watch this over and over again. Im addicted!!

Fei Dec 02 2024 10:05 am Awesome writing. I hope it sustains the intrigue and creative flow till the end.

Win Lai Phyu Dec 02 2024 8:32 am Love this drama. Love actors and actress. Love all. 12 episodes is too less. ?????

JK Dec 01 2024 10:05 am Omg, the cliffhanger from ep4. I hope it will be Friday fast this week. Can't wait for ep5. Seriously, please if someone is able, fast-forward time until Friday December 6 20:00hrs gmt

gale Dec 01 2024 9:38 am They know their target audience... It's booming everywhere

Mi Su Su Latt Dec 01 2024 9:26 am Nice drama. really like it.

y_neep Dec 01 2024 8:18 am Yoo Yeonseok, this is the hottest you’ve ever been! You gave me goosebumps.

NJ Dec 01 2024 8:03 am Okay this drama deserves all this recognition. Bravo to all casts

Kikky Dec 01 2024 2:01 am Yoo Yeonseok never gave me that hot sexy character. It’s always the mature, calm, innocent, smart and clean character. But dang, he’s dangerously sexy in this one and I think he knows it. I regret watching because the weekly cliffhangers is killing me

mir Dec 01 2024 12:53 am This one comment below mine saying how stupid this story is definitely didn't watch the whole released episodes or maybe didn't understand the story at all. While it is too early to judge whether this one is a good drama or not (it's only 4 episodes so far), the story is actually very compact this far, and there are reasons behind everything, and that's why a lot of people talk about this drama. Looking forward to how the mysteries will be solved.

Sooop Nov 30 2024 10:56 pm Okay but what if the real master/villain is Na You-Ri. I havent read the webtoon so idk but she’s not even friends with Hong Hee-Joo and she’s extremely interested in ML. Not sure why they kept showing her scenes since she’s not important but she’s also sus too.. hmm… we shall see..

Bubz Nov 30 2024 8:33 pm It’s a good drama so far, but I don’t really like Chae Soo Bin’s character. She does things without thinking, but I like her chemistry with Yoo Yeon Seok. He plays his character well. I can’t help but comment in every single episode that Chae Soo Bin looks exactly like Park Jin Joo in this drama. I think she went overboard with the nose job and all I see is Park Jin Joo.

algorithms06 Nov 30 2024 7:26 pm I just got done with EP 2, not sure if I will continue....

Kdrama fan Nov 30 2024 6:56 pm Reply to Min Yunki, I think Hee-Joo's real father is in hospital and the person with her mother is the step father.

I am hooked on this drama. The storyline is very good and keeps you wanting to watch more. I hope the rest of the drama won't disppoint and there will be a happy ending for the main leads. As the drama unfolds, we learn more about Sa-Eon's love for Hee-Joo. Sa-Eon deeply loves her and doesn't show this as a way to protect Hee-Joo.

Mimi Nov 30 2024 5:01 pm One of my fav kdrama of the year! Love the story! The 4th episode was amazing it keeps getting better!

Min Yunki Nov 30 2024 2:52 pm I dont understand, who is Hee joo’s father? Does she has 2 fathers?

Jen Nov 30 2024 1:00 pm Amazing drama. The sexual tension between the two leads is so thrilling to watch. I couldn't wait to watch the upcoming episodes. Couldn't bear the suspense.

BBloud Nov 30 2024 12:36 pm OST see the light hyunsik btob

mitch Nov 30 2024 12:25 pm I think the wife is the one on the other side of the phone. she can really talk. I dot know though. I'm only in ep 1 and haven't checked the webtoon

Aihara Nov 30 2024 11:16 am I loveee this drama! OMG!!! the twists and turns in this, I love it?❤️? I can't wait for next week. I am glad they made it into 12 episodes cause It doesn't drag anything out unlike 16 episode dramas. I am really curious who the antagonist is.

Eunice Pearl Nov 30 2024 3:53 am Loving it so far

JLA Nov 29 2024 11:50 pm Someone please tell me the name of the song, its finally gotten stuck in my head after watching the end credits of episode 3.

SeokBin Nov 29 2024 3:29 pm Another great episode today! The torturous wait this last week was worth it.

Elenaxoxo Nov 29 2024 11:10 am Does anyone know who is the cast of the kidnapper?

Maezy Nov 29 2024 8:18 am I cant wait for the next episode ...please make it daily...

Tenniee Nov 29 2024 7:46 am I'm excited to watch the next episode. I can't wait......

Tomi Nov 29 2024 2:59 am I didn't know what I was expecting till I watched it and my mind was blooowwwwnnnn....episode 2 left me on chokehold ??

Awesome acting from both leads, writing, suspense, thrill, drama, all there!!!!

I've literally been counting the days till next episodessss

Mymarylee Nov 29 2024 1:53 am OMG..... The drama is dramaing, the cast is casting and the plot is ploting. What more could I ask for is Nov-Dec.... Everything is in dis drama dammmmnnnn

Elle Nov 28 2024 8:15 am What I love about this drama is the strength of the leads, ML from Mr Sunshine, Dr Romantic, FL from I’m not a Robot and Where the Stars Land - what more could you want? So many shows fail because of weak casting. A strong start and interesting plot line. Support cast strong too. I’m hooked!!!

J Nov 27 2024 10:29 pm Reply to RAP: Agree, Soo Bin is perfect for this role. But you mentioned Hae In. Hee Joo. Her name is Hong Hee Joo. Not Hong Hae In lmao

RAP Nov 27 2024 9:57 pm Fall in love with Chae So Bin in this drama, she nailed it to give perfect picture of Hae In's vulnerability, yet silly side. At first,I feel uneasy when she take sexy picture of herself, using criminal's phone. What a reckless & stupid, what if he still can remotely access his phone. But in ordinary human's perspective, maybe Hae In's characters is just not smart with that kind of things, bus certainly genius with (sign) language. As another character still have to strugle with English, even after obtain sertificate from FBI, still need translator for conversation with somone he considered as friend.

vicky Nov 26 2024 6:33 am Can anyone share the ending theme song of the episode two? I'm hooked on the song

fangirl Nov 26 2024 5:57 am everytime yeonseok has a new drama he never failed to amaze me. he's getting more handsomeee

sf Nov 26 2024 5:10 am Because of so many ads, I didn't understand if the big sister does exist for real or not.

Ashes Nov 26 2024 12:52 am "Great drama. BTW, did it bother anyone else that the ML's hand injury disappeared in the 2nd episode?"

Dutchess Nov 25 2024 11:14 pm The chemistry of this drama is insane!!!!

mitchin Nov 25 2024 1:04 pm Omg the plot!!! Enemies to lover, arranged marriage literally everything about it is good!? I loved it from the beginning, I can't wait for the next episodes ?❤

Dreamhigh Nov 25 2024 11:11 am I am obsessed this drama, YYS is so handsome

Vip Nov 25 2024 5:47 am They have such Hot chemistry. Best drama for now

Bella Nov 25 2024 5:31 am I'm waiting for another episodesss

tammmmmm Nov 24 2024 9:42 pm Best and the most exciting drama to close the year.

Rang Nov 24 2024 9:16 pm Episode 1 was really confusing as heck but it all made sense when you see the last scene on episode 2. One thing though, the writer didn't need to add the part where the female lead pretends to be the kidnapper. The story is already interesting without all of that, it just only made it felt like the writer was just throwing anything into the story trying to make it different or longer.

chocoo Nov 24 2024 5:33 am This much better and interesting than Fiery Priest 2. Recommended!!

Yhang Nov 24 2024 4:37 am This is drama is really good. I really like the chemistry of Chae Soo Bin & Yoo Yoon Seok! ??can't wait for the upcoming episodes!?

Jessy Nov 24 2024 12:53 am By only watching 2 eps, i recommend yall to watch this drama!

rosevelv Nov 23 2024 11:36 pm FL and ML chemistry is another level for reaal!!! Really love the plot...waiting for another week feel like foreveeer ?? definitely rewatch the dramaaa?????

Scott Nov 23 2024 11:03 pm So far the drama is well written and the leads terrific. If it continues like this I’ll be anxious for the next episodes. This is only my opinion, I have no inside knowledge. The husband is a brilliant man. If he can’t figure out it is his wife calling, it would prove me wrong and he would be stupid. I think he will figure it out soon, but since his wife has the phone and was wearing the lingerie, he will suspect she planned on purpose. Since there is a real perpetrator, the husband will not trust her until she’s in real danger. Oh well this is a good drama, well paced and acted. The writer deserves a lot of credit.

Maldita Nov 23 2024 8:03 pm Obsessed with this drama . 100% topnotch perfect chemistry...Highly recommended

Za Nov 23 2024 7:29 pm So, in short, the first 2 eps was really good and got me so hooked!

I know that contract marriage is a very old trope, but, the plot of this drama is so fresh, that it keeps you want the story to be unraveled more.

All characters are played so well so far. Also, I know that Chae Soo Bin is always pretty, but in this drama she is the prettiest. There is something about hair style and overall style of Hong Hee Joo that really suit her. Her chemistry between Baek Sa Eon is another level. You can feel the underneath romance and sexual tension between these couple is on fire.

Hope that Friday and Saturday come faster. Kudos!

Ajumma Nov 23 2024 7:28 pm Im hooked! Watched the 2 episodes twice already hahahahah! Daddy long legs and Aji3 have the perfect chemistry! The simplest scene like when he was cooking breakfast is so kilig! Cant wait for next week's episodes.

Kikky Nov 23 2024 6:37 pm Done with Ep 2. I think he has liked her before the contract marriage. He found out about her family’s plan to arrange her marriage to a really bad guy. So he switched the ‘sister’ since the Hong In-a didn’t want the arranged marriage. He actually loves her but isn’t forcing her to love him so it’s all an act now? I love the suspense thriller part too!

Fizzy Nov 23 2024 5:10 pm One of my best dramas atm, gosh I can't wait for everything to unravel, and the ML is one of my favourite actor, so I am super hyped for this one!!!

audi Nov 23 2024 4:12 pm maybe in my opinion… in some angles he looks like a much older version of sehun (from EXO) Lololol. don’t come at me ???

Hyperborea Nov 23 2024 3:47 pm An awesome action and relationship drama. I highly recommend it.

Fay Nov 23 2024 2:09 pm Yoo yeon seok is so sexy here ?

Karamazov fan Nov 23 2024 12:55 pm Very well done. So glad the male lead gor this good script

Aries Totle Nov 23 2024 10:09 am Unexpected twist at the end of episode 1. Next ep. please!

Peddie Nov 23 2024 10:08 am OMG with just one episode I am hyped for this drama. Wish all episodes could be released once ?

aleput Nov 23 2024 8:13 am the 1st eoisode was so so so so good! for sure have lots of potential

clara Nov 23 2024 4:16 am aaaa, im really exciting about this drama. i can not wait for upcoming episod, can they drop all episod?

Bungeoppang Nov 23 2024 12:17 am I expecting something bcs the review and it's beyond my expectation.. and it's more better bcs chae soobin and yoo yeonseok is my fav actors.. and it's really been a while for me to watch a k-drama after always watched it and drop it but i'm so exciting this time

Scarlet Turangan Nov 22 2024 9:13 pm This is so good from the very first time. What a plot twist, this is only first episode. Yoo Yeon Seok never failed to impress me, tha'ts why he is my number 1 actor in Korea. Yuhuuu.

Axi Nov 22 2024 8:58 pm Wow the first episode is fkin good. They're very faithful to the source material. I love it.

Quinn Nov 22 2024 7:18 pm Really enjoying it so far. Anyone else notice the faint phone ringing sounds incorporated throughout the show’s theme music? It’s such a unique detail to add

anon Nov 22 2024 1:26 pm If the first kidnapping wasn't by her and for interfering with the political hostage situation, seeing how that secretary with glasses picked up the phone and got interrupted by Sa-eon and then seemed scared being asked to trace the number he was who hired the first kidnapper?

HWAN Nov 22 2024 1:15 pm The first episode was surprisingly good, with a plot that is more engaging than most Korean dramas. I appreciate the unpredictable nature of the storyline, which is skillfully interwoven with romantic elements. In my opinion, this drama is comparable to the renowned "Queen of Tears."

hororo Nov 20 2024 12:11 am Chae Soobinnnnnn~ I've always loved her acting. Cannot Wait~ ^^

Drain Nov 17 2024 9:11 am Whatt??? Only 12 episodes??? Come on!! Hopefully it will have season 2

SeokBin Nov 03 2024 11:03 am I am so excited for this drama. I can’t wait!

choee Oct 21 2024 10:49 pm I'm so excited for this one! It's been a while since I last watch Chae Soobin's drama. And I'm looking forward to the chemistry between her and Yoo Yeonseok especially that they're labelmates. Let's make it a big hit

Ssinhee Jun 02 2024 1:01 pm Wow it sounds really similar with qot, i like the cast too

Aimen May 11 2024 11:34 am This sounds super fun....I alwayssss love when mystery meets romance....The best of best genre..♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Kimchi May 09 2024 10:27 am Wait...what?...Baek Sa Eon = Baek Hyun woo.....Hong Hee-Joo = Hong Hae - In. Same surname, different people. Both married.....Queen of tears 2??

External Links

Official Website

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-|4picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Kim Kyu-Do.jpeg
+|4picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Jeong Yi-Heon.jpg
-|4name=Kim Kyu-Do (actor){{!}}Kim Kyu-Do
+|4name=Jeong Yi-Heon (1991){{!}}Jeong Yi-Heon
-|4charactername=prosecutor (ep.2)
+|4charactername=phone man (ep.1)
-|5picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Lee Heung Yoon.jpg
+|5picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Kim Kyu-Do.jpeg
-|5name=Lee Heung-Yoon (1976){{!}}Lee Heung-Yoon
+|5name=Kim Kyu-Do (actor){{!}}Kim Kyu-Do
-|5charactername=plaintiff (ep.2)
+|5charactername=prosecutor (ep.2)
-|6picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Lee Hyun.jpeg
+|6picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Lee Heung Yoon.jpg
-|6name=Lee Hyun (1975){{!}}Lee Hyun
+|6name=Lee Heung-Yoon (1976){{!}}Lee Heung-Yoon
-|6charactername=defendant (ep.2)
+|6charactername=plaintiff (ep.2)
-|7picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Yeo Min-Goo.jpg
+|7picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Lee Hyun.jpeg
-|7name=Yeo Min-Goo (1976){{!}}Yeo Min-Goo
+|7name=Lee Hyun (1975){{!}}Lee Hyun
-|7charactername=arsonist (ep.3)
+|7charactername=defendant (ep.2)
-|8picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Kim Moon Soo.jpg
+|8picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Yeo Min-Goo.jpg
-|8name=Kim Moon-Soo (1966){{!}}Kim Moon-Soo
+|8name=Yeo Min-Goo (1976){{!}}Yeo Min-Goo
-|8charactername=government official (ep.3)
+|8charactername=arsonist (ep.3)
-|9picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Kim Soo-Jung.jpg
+|9picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Kim Moon Soo.jpg
-|9name=Kim Soo-Jung (1971){{!}}Kim Soo-Jung
+|9name=Kim Moon-Soo (1966){{!}}Kim Moon-Soo
-|9charactername=government official's wife (ep.3)
+|9charactername=government official (ep.3)
-|10picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Lee Seo Won.jpg
+|10picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Kim Soo-Jung.jpg
-|10name=Lee Seo-Won (1975){{!}}Lee Seo-Won
+|10name=Kim Soo-Jung (1971){{!}}Kim Soo-Jung
-|10charactername=nurse (ep.3)
+|10charactername=government official's wife (ep.3)
-|11picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Jung Eun-Ran.jpg
+|11picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Lee Seo Won.jpg
-|11name=Jung Eun-Ran (actress){{!}}Jung Eun-Ran
+|11name=Lee Seo-Won (1975){{!}}Lee Seo-Won
-|11charactername=caregiver (ep.3)
+|11charactername=nurse (ep.3)
-|12picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Ahn Tae-Gyeong.jpg
+|12picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Jung Eun-Ran.jpg
-|12name=Ahn Tae-Gyeong (1981){{!}}Ahn Tae-Gyeong
+|12name=Jung Eun-Ran (actress){{!}}Jung Eun-Ran
-|12charactername=restaurant staff (ep.4)
+|12charactername=caregiver (ep.3)
-|13picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Park Chang Hoon.jpg
+|13picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Ahn Tae-Gyeong.jpg
-|13name=Park Chang-Hoon (0419){{!}}Park Chang-Hoon
+|13name=Ahn Tae-Gyeong (1981){{!}}Ahn Tae-Gyeong
-|13charactername=sign language applicant (ep.4)
+|13charactername=restaurant staff (ep.4)
-|14picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Park Kyung-Eun.jpg
+|14picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Park Chang Hoon.jpg
-|14name=Park Kyung-Eun (1995){{!}}Park Kyung-Eun
+|14name=Park Chang-Hoon (0419){{!}}Park Chang-Hoon
 |14charactername=sign language applicant (ep.4)
-|15picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Hwa Sung.jpg
+|15picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Park Kyung-Eun.jpg
-|15name=Hwa Sung (actress){{!}}Hwa Sung
+|15name=Park Kyung-Eun (1995){{!}}Park Kyung-Eun
-|15charactername=hair stylist (ep.4)
+|15charactername=sign language applicant (ep.4)
-|16picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Lee Soo-Jin.jpg
+|16picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Hwa Sung.jpg
-|16name=Lee Soo-Jin (1989){{!}}Lee Soo-Jin
+|16name=Hwa Sung (actress){{!}}Hwa Sung
-|16charactername=event attendee (ep.4-5)
+|16charactername=hair stylist (ep.4)
-|17picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Han Chae Bin.jpg
+|17picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Lee Soo-Jin.jpg
-|17name=Han Chae-Bin (1986){{!}}Han Chae-Bin
+|17name=Lee Soo-Jin (1989){{!}}Lee Soo-Jin
 |17charactername=event attendee (ep.4-5)
-|18picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Son Ye-Ji.jpg
+|18picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Han Chae Bin.jpg
-|18name=Son Ye-Ji (actress){{!}}Son Ye-Ji
+|18name=Han Chae-Bin (1986){{!}}Han Chae-Bin
 |18charactername=event attendee (ep.4-5)
-|19picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Hwang Jung-Yoon.jpg
+|19picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Son Ye-Ji.jpg
-|19name=Hwang Jung-Yoon (actress){{!}}Hwang Jung-Yoon
+|19name=Son Ye-Ji (actress){{!}}Son Ye-Ji
-|19charactername=saleswoman (ep.5)
+|19charactername=event attendee (ep.4-5)
-|20picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Jwa Chae Won.jpg
+|20picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Hwang Jung-Yoon.jpg
-|20name=Jwa Chae-Won
+|20name=Hwang Jung-Yoon (actress){{!}}Hwang Jung-Yoon
 |20charactername=saleswoman (ep.5)
-|21picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Seo Eun-Joo.jpg
+|21picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Jwa Chae Won.jpg
-|21name=Seo Eun-Joo (actress){{!}}Seo Eun-Joo
+|21name=Jwa Chae-Won
-|21charactername=hiker (ep.6)
+|21charactername=saleswoman (ep.5)
-|22picture=File:When The Phone Rings-No Soo-Sung.jpg
+|22picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Seo Eun-Joo.jpg
-|22name=No Soo-Sung (1973){{!}}No Soo-Sung
+|22name=Seo Eun-Joo (actress){{!}}Seo Eun-Joo
 |22charactername=hiker (ep.6)
-|23picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Jin Sung Min.jpg
+|23picture=File:When The Phone Rings-No Soo-Sung.jpg
-|23name=Jin Sung-Min (1986){{!}}Jin Sung-Min
+|23name=No Soo-Sung (1973){{!}}No Soo-Sung
-|23charactername=paramedic (ep.6)
+|23charactername=hiker (ep.6)
-|24picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Park Hwa-Hong.jpg
+|24picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Jin Sung Min.jpg
-|24name=Park Hwa-Hong (1990){{!}}Park Hwa-Hong
+|24name=Jin Sung-Min (1986){{!}}Jin Sung-Min
 |24charactername=paramedic (ep.6)
-|25picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Park Kyung-Hye1.jpg
+|25picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Park Hwa-Hong.jpg
-|25name=Park Kyung-Hye (1974){{!}}Park Kyung-Hye
+|25name=Park Hwa-Hong (1990){{!}}Park Hwa-Hong
-|25charactername=masseuse (ep.7)
+|25charactername=paramedic (ep.6)
-|26picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Park Seon-Ok.jpg
+|26picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Park Kyung-Hye1.jpg
-|26name=Park Seon-Ok (1965){{!}}Park Seon-Ok
+|26name=Park Kyung-Hye (1974){{!}}Park Kyung-Hye
-|26charactername=lobby patient (ep.7)
+|26charactername=masseuse (ep.7)
-|27picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Choi Yo-Woon.jpg
+|27picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Park Seon-Ok.jpg
-|27name=Choi Yo-Woon (1975){{!}}Choi Yo-Woon
+|27name=Park Seon-Ok (1965){{!}}Park Seon-Ok
 |27charactername=lobby patient (ep.7)
-|28picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Lee Ju Mi.jpg
+|28picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Choi Yo-Woon.jpg
-|28name=Lee Ju-Mi (1975){{!}}Lee Ju-Mi
+|28name=Choi Yo-Woon (1975){{!}}Choi Yo-Woon
 |28charactername=lobby patient (ep.7)
-|29picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Hong Suk Youn.jpeg
+|29picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Lee Ju Mi.jpg
-|29name=Hong Suk-Youn
+|29name=Lee Ju-Mi (1975){{!}}Lee Ju-Mi
-|29charactername=delivery man (ep.8)
+|29charactername=lobby patient (ep.7)
-|30picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Jo Min-Jae.jpeg
+|30picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Hong Suk Youn.jpeg
-|30name=Jo Min-Jae (actor){{!}}Jo Min-Jae
+|30name=Hong Suk-Youn
-|30charactername=PD (ep.9)
+|30charactername=delivery man (ep.8)
-|31picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Lee Seung-Joon.jpg
+|31picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Jo Min-Jae.jpeg
-|31name=Lee Seung-Joon (actor){{!}}Lee Seung-Joon
+|31name=Jo Min-Jae (actor){{!}}Jo Min-Jae
-|31charactername=Judge (ep.12)
+|31charactername=PD (ep.9)
-|32picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Heo Soo Bin.jpg
+|32picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Lee Seung-Joon.jpg
-|32name=Heo Soo-Bin
+|32name=Lee Seung-Joon (actor){{!}}Lee Seung-Joon
-|32charactername=waitress (ep.12)
+|32charactername=Judge (ep.12)
-|33picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Kim Doo-Eun.jpg
+|33picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Heo Soo Bin.jpg
-|33name=Kim Doo-Eun (1978){{!}}Kim Doo-Eun
+|33name=Heo Soo-Bin
-|33charactername=deliveryman (ep.12)
+|33charactername=waitress (ep.12)
-|34picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Brad Curtin1.jpg
+|34picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Kim Doo-Eun.jpg
-|34name=Brad Curtin
+|34name=Kim Doo-Eun (1978){{!}}Kim Doo-Eun
-|34charactername=principal (ep.12)
+|34charactername=deliveryman (ep.12)
+|35picture=File:When The Phone Rings-Brad Curtin1.jpg
+|35name=Brad Curtin
+|35charactername=principal (ep.12)
 }}
 '''Additional Cast Members:'''

Difference between revisions of "When The Phone Rings"

Latest revision as of 19:54, 5 July 2026

Contents

User Rating

Profile

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

Notes

Cast

Kidnapper

Hong Hee-Joo's Family

Paik Sa-Eon's Family

President's Office

Seongnang-gu Sign Language Center

Paik Sa-Eon's Group

Ji Sang-Woo's Group

HBC

Police

Paik Ui-Yong's Group

Others

Trailers

Episode Ratings

Awards

Comments

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External Links