The acting is very stunning from all the actors, especially the male and female leads. Their chemistry is really perfect, their sexual attention is really epic.
The music is also very good, as if it matches the characters in the story.
I really like it, and I don't know how many times I have re-watched this drama.
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Not what I expected but in a good way
Review9/10 is my rating. The plot was very engaging until about the last episode. Then it took sort of a weird turn in my opinion but then got back on track. If you want something a little different this definitely has that uniqueness to it. The leads have good chemistry, and the romance is paced well. I recommend it for those that like their romance with a bit of intrigue. That is the rarer form of romance.
Spoilers
The only part I really did not like is when he randomly decided to become some mercenary like person in another county. After all they had gone through he was just going to be like "see ya" and take off on some weird trip. Then she goes there, in a known dangerous area, gets kidnapped as was predicted and he just happens to be the one to rescue her. The whole thing was just a weird insert. Totally unnecessary to the story.
Her mom was horrible early on, and they never fully explained why she was like that to her and then later was just like "never mind." I mean I think it was because she didn't want her outshining her new stepsister but still, weird. Then, toward the end she is like okay she can hear now so we are good right? Right? I was glad main girl was like we are going to have to take it slow and I am not telling you where I live.
They sure created a good psycho. But I am like seriously dude you are going to fall for the same thing twice. You already know main girl will just wreck you both, yet you are going to try the exact same thing again?
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Synopsis
This is a 2024/2025 South Korean Romance Mystery Suspense Drama with 12, that run 64-70 minutes.
The couple in this thriller are in a marriage arranged for political and family gain and have barely spoken to each other in their three-year marriage. Paik Sa-eon (Yoo Yeon-seok) is the youngest spokesman for the Blue House a role which he gained as a former war correspondent and counter terrorist resource. He seems very cold and harsh to his wife, Hong Hee Joo (Chae Soo-bin) who is selectively mute as a result of a traumatic traffic accident. To the outside world Yoo Yeon-seok is a lovingly devoted husband who keeps his wife out of the public eye due to threats to her safety. Their life is upended when Hee joo is kidnapped but Sa-eon doesn't believe it and proclaims they are frauds and that he will believe them when they show him her corpse. This is a final straw for Hee joo, and she turns the tables on the very real kidnapper and claims the phone he had been using in the process.
Having the phone provides what Hee joo perceives is a way out of her cold, loveless marriage. Hee joo uses the voice modulator to sound like her captor and negotiate herself a divorce.
This sets off a whole chain of intrigue as the two discover secrets hidden in the past, conspiracies and deception. As the conversations intensify, the love that was lying under surface emerges and the couple must pull together to uncover the true enemies that threaten not only their well-being but their very existence.
#WhenThePhoneRings #YooYeonSeok #ChaeSooBin
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a cracktastically fun show that loses its way and lands in disbelief
this show had one of the BEST opening episodes i have ever seen. it was an overdramatic soapy ride, carried by simmering intensity and masterful acting, backed by fine direction and beautiful camerawork, then driven home by the unapologetically dramatic music score. the buildup that ended in that big twist? i was hooked and screaming and scrambling for more.the first four episodes were in a similar manner, very soapy and intense, flattered by the chemistry between the actors, and without a doubt greatly elevated by the spectacular performance from yoo yeon sook. the only complaint i would raise would be that of the fml's character - the first episode promised more bite but she was ultimately very overmatched. however, the show still delivered its fair share of twists and emotional punches and high voltage spicy moments. every episode had at least one highlight scene (i have written episode reviews for every single episode 1-4, which i have not done for any other show):
- ep2: 'will you take it off, or should i?' / the epilogue phone call reveal of how the ml & fl's marriage came about.
- ep3: the motorcade scene
- ep4: the rooftop scene / (which is amplified by) the epilogue reveal of what happened in the police car
every single scene with the score 'breakthrough pt. 2 (oh hee joon)' was so emotional and intense and iconic. i've replayed those scenes for more times than i'd care to admit, especially during the wait for new episodes (no thanks to yoon suk yeol).
but.. the show loses that spark. for 5 through 8, the show was still reasonably good, though increasingly cliche, and threatens to snap the suspense of disbelief with totally unconvincing scenarios that cannot be excused with dramatic dressing. then the show just loses its footing and ends with, well, shitting the bed. it's a shame that the show went out with a whimper, especially with the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the last episode. however, the first 4 episodes were so good, i'll allow nothing less than a 8.5.
to summarize:
- breakthrough pt.2 is now one of my ringtones.
- yoo yeon suk, you have earned yourself a fan in this one!
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What a Rollercoaster ...
... but a good Rollercoaster. Honestly, I was not expecting go get thrown a curveball E1. I saw it as one of those dramas that would be a slow start and the high ratings came from the climax, but this one came on swinging ... in a good way!The story itself is ok. I think what really kept me rushing to click next episode and skip intro were the well-timed cliffhangers where you absolutely HAVE to know what the heck is going on. The story flows at a pace to keep you entertained and makes perfect sense ... until the last episode. I'm sure the more seasoned K-Drama fans know that the last episode is always a dude. The twists, turns, how things tie together and the reveals are worth the watch (again, this DOES NOT apply to the last episode because I don't think it was part of the same storyline). Another drama that I applaud for not making a love triangle the center of the story.
The acting I felt was chef kiss. You never knew who the antagonist and protagonist were until they decided to reveal it all, then the roles reversed and the actors really made it seamless. The chemistry between the two main leads was perfection. Some of those kisses definitely had me clutching my imaginary pearls.
The music was fitting. It wasn't anything that overtook or distracted you from a scene and they were songs that I'd find myself humming after a binge of a few episodes.
I think this has a decent amount of rewatch value if you find yourself a fan of the story. Some of the things that happen throw you for such a loop, you almost want to rewarch again to see if you had noticed anything differently.
Overall, I enjoyed this drama. Be warned, the last episode is so odd and not anywhere near fitting of the rest of the drama. Don't let it sway your ratings. The 11 episodes are addicting.
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Action packed & incredibly romantic mystery
Wow the 1st half is so so good. The unimpressive/kinda boring opening credits are probably the only semi"bad" thing.The 2nd half is not as good as things escalate. The plot stretches to the limits of my plausibility meter but these gaps are quickly forgotten with the drama's fast pace. Although only 12 eps long this drama feels a bit longer - in a good way. The twists and turns make for an exciting ride with good closure touching on explaining everything before wrapping things up with a nice satisfying ending.
This drama was very well done and one of the most creatively told stories I've watched in a long time. Really fun to watch with well paced surprises throughout. This drama is very entertaining and action packed while still managing to be incredibly romantic. There are unexpected LOL comedic interactions and jealousy inducing romantic moments that would speed melt the hardest hearts.
Casting is impeccable. The acting is superb especially the ML. He is an exceptional artist. (I haven't watxhed him before but I'll be looking more of his dramas as I find the time.) He nails this character down from all angles. The delivery of some of his best lines are so breathtakingly smooth and swoonworthy. I'm not sure anyone else could replicate or do better. His domineering stares are GQ/Hugo Boss runway steamy while his vulnerable true self makes you melt all the same but for completely different reasons.
Great mix of good and bad relationships on display. I loved the couples and friend circles. I had zero issues with the main lead age gap. They looked so good together and they are both smart mature adults. Their chemistry was fire! Perfect balance of sugary sweet and red hot spice when they turn up the heat. Also, It was nice to see the FL wasn't dumbed down to some childlike character.
This story is told by a director with master skills. Eventhough you might be able to guess the main culprit half way, there is enough going on to keep you hooked.
The scriptwriting is never boring. You'll find unexpected humor, subtle double entendres, plus heartgriping declarations of love and pain. There are characters who must learn to bend and forgive those who may have wronged them to allow for some redemption and freedom. Others need to learn to be stronger, and more steadfast to almost being stubborn. Lessons on honesty and compassion are also key. Every conversation adds to the suspense and emotional intensity.
Cinematography, music and editing are all very good. Some really fun creative shots; all of them interesting and matching the stylish edgy vibe of the whole production. The visuals are high contrast layers of light (bright sunny lush forests and shining ballroom opulence) to sudden shades of grey and moonlit darkness. This parallells our journey as we are shown the multiple sides of each character. The drama keeps you guessing; who is a friend who is not? who is hurt? who is causing the pain? How far are they willing to go? Etc. Etc.
Highly recommend this.
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Intriguing cliche ft. ridiculous plot at the end ?
This show came out of nowhere and took majority of us down the memory lane of swooning over wattpad romances.I only want to talk about the MLs because honestly they are only whom I was fully invested in.... The main leads are typical: Seemingly cold, rich, and no-nonsense ML and a simple, softie FL. This is so wattpad-coded: Saeon showing redflag signs (thankfully he changed) and Heejo being a damsel in distress. I've seen a lot of this dynamic yet this one just hits different. Why? I believe that the actors played their roles so well and the show really tried to flesh out their characters, their personality.
Again, the usual trope of rich family, orphan, revenge, childhood connection... Nonetheless, the way the story unfolded was definitely gripping. The pacing of every episode was perfect - enough to feed my curiosity and enough to keep me wanting for more.
With all that, I really wanted to rate this higher but fell short all because of the last episode. The plot all throughout was pretty well-explained and the turn of events are fairly sensible except the last episode.
* Their relationship was already established. They expressed their feelings which made them stronger together. So, how can Saeon suddenly went MIA? They were opening up and trusting each other. A heartfelt conversation would've helped them.
* And out of all the places he could've gone to.....A warzone.....that Heejo went to....Argan.....also with the stereotypical color filter as soon as she stepped to that country...and they made love.....in a warzone...(will just pretend that that happened at their home, on Heejo's bed)
Yes, they followed the web novel but I wish they did not with that one. Yes, this is fictional but I wish a teeny bit of logic was still considered. I'm sorry but no matter how much someone will defend this plot, I will never change my mind that this is just straight up ridiculous, the worst.
I also want to list my nitpicks here.
1. When we first heard Heejo speak, when she was with the kidnapper, I wish she stuttered first. She was on a life-threatening situation + with someone who is dangerous + has selective mutism. I would've felt more if she struggled a bit with finding her voice and words then after few tries, had the courage to speak up. Also when she was on the police car. Similar case. I'd just imagine Saeon feeling and looking even more conflicted if he heard her struggle speaking first and then she screamed...
2. I honestly did not like how Saeon made Heejo go to the amusement park. (Lol just overthinking this) I mean Saeon was so protective and concerned with Heejo's rest after the cliff fall, and then he suddenly asked her to come out of the hospital alone on a cold night to go to the park??
3. Did the selective mutism trope just vanish? How did others take that she can actually speak? I wish they also included how Heejo able to overcome it, how she was gradually able to communicate with others and build confidence to voice out herself....
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this mainly because of their chemistry. I will never forget how intense the first few episodes were as much as I will never forget the crappy Argan plot.
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Just stop watching after the first half of ep. 11 and you're good!
I really loved this drama. I was rooting for the main lead and I was crying with them - a lot.I still couldn't understand why Baek Sa-eon was being such a jerk to her at the beginning, but I could look over that because overall I was just sucked into the show.
I was ready to call it one of my favourite dramas until it suddenly all went south after the second half of the 11th episode. The show strayed away from all logic, brushing over first-time-mentioned topics and didn't care to really explain how things got to happen - but even if they did, I couldn't care less. Because it wouldn't make sense either way.
I was almost ready to drop the drama at this point because I thought it was a 16-episode show, and if that was the direction the drama would continue with, I couldn't finish. After I found out it's only 12 episodes, I watched it until the end, and I can definitely tell, that it was not worth it.
I'm a little shocked by how easily the last 1h 30min could overshadow everything that happened before and ruin the overall image I have about the drama... In the end I decided not to include the last hour of what-the-heck into my rating and just look at the drama as an 11 episode piece.
I would definitely recommend watching it, but I would just keep in mind, that the last episode does nothing for the viewer.
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A Love That Grows: From Coworkers to Soulmates
I really enjoyed the Kdrama – it was intense and kept me engaged from beginning to end. The standout character for me was Na Yu Ri. Her constant optimism brought warmth to the story, and her beautiful smile made her scenes especially memorable.I also really liked the relationship between her and Ji Sang. What I loved most was how their connection evolved – from coworkers to close friends and eventually into a serious relationship. Their bond felt authentic and added emotional depth to the drama.
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Moreover, I loved the chemistry between Yoo Yeon Seok & Chae Soo Bin. They look good together. The sexual tension between Baek Sa Eon & Hong Hui Ju was on fire. Also love the way Baek Sa Eon flirted with 406, the way Hong Hui Ju was getting jealous was cute.
Hong Hui Ju mother horrible. Hated her to the core. One good thing is that her step sister is not evil. She is a good person who wants Hing Hui Ju to be happy.
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A drama that gets better with every episode
I've never been a big fan of popular dramas or those that are more cliché, but I really feel like I enjoyed watching this drama and I don't feel like I wasted my time at all. Although I must confess that during the first few episodes I wasn't enjoying it that much, more or less until episode 5 I felt like the story didn't make much sense, but as the episodes went by, the story started to get better and it caught me little by little, so much so that in the last episodes I was really excited and just wanted to know what was going to happen at the end. I think that the story is the most remarkable thing about the drama, that it's the most important thing and that it's definitely worth watching at least once.But if I had to say something bad about the drama it would definitely be that there are many things that don't make sense in real life and that could end up being absurd like the whole sequence on the mountain and what comes after, also the last episode and the ending is a bit confusing and you could end up losing the thread.
Other than that, it's really a drama that I enjoyed a lot, with a good story, a good main couple with very good chemistry, a very good side couple as well, and also funny moments that can really make you laugh, not like in some other dramas, I really recommend watching this.
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Wish there were more dramas like this one.
The last episode just felt like someone else took over the writing of this drama. BUT, I loved it as a whole and wish there were more dramas like this one. The characters were mature and fit their roles. I loved the sign language aspect. Hated the bullying, especially by the Mom's. Why are Korean drama Moms so not worthy of the title "Mom"?Was this review helpful to you?
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Unnecessary ending
I have mixed feelings. I really enjoyed the start of this drama. In the halfway I was a bit lost but still it was entertaining. BUT these two last episodes were so messy and the Argan plot was so unnecessary. Who even made that plot? It didn't make any sense and I felt like watching a completely different drama. Why did they have to ruin a good drama with a floppy ending???Instead of the bad Argan plot, they should have given us the crumbs of Sang U and Yu Ri!!! They build up a great relationship between them just to randomly announce their marriage in the last episode... like c'mon that was so badly written. The actors had great chemistry together and they were very cute but the writers still wasted their potential. How sad :((
One thing I did really like was Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae Soo Bin's chemistry. They acted so well together and looked so cute together. Great chemistry!! Even the intimate scenes were good and didn't seem awkward. They're good kissers xD I'm glad they got the happy ending they deserved.
This drama would have gotten a better rating from me if they had focused on Sa Eon and Hui Ju and the phone. I really loved the conversations between Sa Eon and 406 (Hui ju). Instead they made it messy and added that ridiculous Argan plot, therefore I have to lower my rating. But because I still enjoyed the drama, I will give it an 8.
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