When the Phone Rings

basically everything but the kitchen sink

I tried to put the least amount of spoilers (there are still some) for the people who are looking to read the reviews before watching.

Probably one of the best dramas to come out 2024. It was consistent with cliff-hangers and constantly had you at the edge imo. It was also one of the more spicier dramas to come out this year.
In terms of acting YYS and CSB both did really well and had the craziest chemistry, and I'll be honest when I first saw this came out on Netflix I wasn't even planning on watching it but I got bored and saw the first two episodes and was immediately hooked because of the "dark romance" which isn't usual of kdrama and because of their chemistry which I really was NOT expecting at all. I will say though YYS stood out a lot more in this drama, he portrayed real range and nuance, to where I forgot I was watching him act which is truly a high compliment. He showcased raw emotion and you can just see how much work and thought he put into his character even from the BTS. As for CSB, she learned a whole language for this role and that's real dedication. I do think at times she was a little too expressionless, but to be fair that was most likely a character choice given her trauma and her backstory.

YYS and CSB's chemistry was crazy. I do act in theater so I know how close we get as a cast especially with your specific scene partner and so I can say that their chemistry is genuinely one of a kind on and off screen which is what I think made this drama so good. They both clearly put a lot of work into creating a good rapport off screen to where it translated so well on screen. I would say in terms of intimacy even though it was 13+ or 15+ it was pretty heavy for kdrama; I do wish they would've milked the mole on her leg bit, but I guess that could've become 18+ real fast so perhaps they couldn't go too far with that.

Now onto the plot. Was it ridiculous at times? Yes, but overall I'd say it was solid. It was definitely something new and fresh tied in with old cliches but it was done well. Even if there were a good amount of cliches--like that first kiss haha--it was balanced with a lot of newer lines and ideas so it never felt too chummy. I think the pacing was probably the best by far until ep 12 which was rushed but I'll forgive it given how consistent they were with having us on cliff hangers every week. I think the wait was probably what added to the fun of this drama, but this is definitely a rewatchable/bingeable drama as well. I do wish HJ wasn't constantly getting kidnapped! But if you're looking for basically every kdrama trope in one drama, this is it. I mean we had everything except amnesia (THANK GOD).

A lot of people didn't like the finale...I too felt like it was so different than the rest of the drama it almost felt like a whole new drama, but it came back around 20 min till the end so don't let all the chaos about 12 deter you from watching. This is pretty typical though for dramas, they'll be super good and then the ending will kind of knock it down a notch, I suppose that's how you know the writers and everyone are human though.

ALSO I will address it, the last episode does have a mistranslation where they inserted a reference to real life events, do your own research is what I will say, but in English it's not translated properly which Netflix is notorious for. I truly wish they didn't even insert this scene in the drama, I don't think it was necessary and kdrama is fictional and real life is real life, I don't know why they felt the need to write it in.

All in all I'm giving it a 9.5/10 overall. It was fun waiting every week and now I'm sad...lol

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A Drama That Stole My Heart

“When the Phone Rings” is a drama that will stay with me for a long time. I truly enjoyed watching it and waiting every week for new episodes to be released.

When I first started watching the drama, I honestly didn’t have any high expectations. But by the end of the first episode, I was already completely hooked on the story. The acting, the emotions, and the chemistry between the main actors—it all captivated me so much.

One of the biggest highlights of this drama is definitely the actors themselves. They brought the characters to life in such a powerful and emotional way that it felt impossible not to be invested in their journey.

I’ve seen Yoo Yeon Seok Oppa’s previous works before, but this was the first time I got to see him in a lead role—and he completely blew me away. I feel like he showed a whole new side of himself as an actor in this drama. His performance was absolutely top-tier, and I was so impressed with how deeply he portrayed his character’s emotions.

I also really loved Chae Soo Bin. She was so sweet, so feminine, and her portrayal of Hee Joo was incredibly heartfelt. She captured every emotion perfectly, making her character feel so real and relatable.

The second thing that stood out to me was the storyline. In my opinion, the adaptation was even better than the original source material. I also loved how each episode ended in such an unexpected way, keeping me curious and excited for what would happen next. The epilogues at the end of the episodes hold a special place in my heart—they added so much depth and meaning to the story.

The OSTs were another strong point of this drama. They were so emotional and perfectly matched the tone of each scene. I especially loved that Yoo Yeon Seok sang one of the OSTs in the later episodes—it made those moments even more touching.

This drama had everything I love about K-dramas—the chemistry, the slow-burn romance, the plot twists, and so many emotional ups and downs. Watching it was truly an unforgettable experience for me.

I also hope to see the actors work together again in future projects, and I wish the entire cast and crew much success in their careers. Thank you so much to everyone involved in creating this amazing drama!

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Ring of Deception, Heart of Truth

I feel compelled to write a review even though I have never written one before.

When the Phone Rings is a brilliant K-thriller with romantic suspense at its core. The show masterfully weaves a complex web of chaebol intrigue, kidnapping, blackmail, and murder. Fans of the genre won't be disappointed.

The cinematography is top-notch, capturing the contrast between the empty, luxurious apartments and the bustling workplaces. The autumn and winter scenery adds to the show's visual appeal.

The chemistry between Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae Soo Bin is undeniable. Their interactions are unforgettable, and their performances have won hearts globally. They deserve widespread recognition and awards for bringing to life characters that resonate with fans worldwide.

Episodes 11 and 12 were controversial for some, but I found them satisfying. They explored the characters' emotions and motivations, tying up key storylines in a way that felt true to the story (especially the novel) While some viewers were unhappy, I appreciated the complexity and closure these episodes provided.

Some of the criticisms surrounding these episodes often feel unnecessary and misplaced. Good storytelling should surprise and challenge us, and "When the Phone Rings" does just that. We should appreciate the depth and effort that went into creating such a complex storyline.

The only aspects of the show I didn't really like were how unrealistic some scenes were. For example, Sa Eon surviving the first fire, Hee Joo falling off a cliff without getting hurt, and Do Jae recovering from being beaten, stabbed, and nearly drowned. Those moments required a lot of suspended disbelief.

Additionally, I felt that the execution could have been better. The opening of episode 10, for example, was confusing and felt like a trick. There were too many imaginary scenes that left me wondering what was happening.

I also found the plot twists to be somewhat predictable. Maybe it's because I was actively reading comments and theories, but I was able to guess some of the surprises. However, there were other moments where I had to rewind and rewatch to fully understand what was happening.

All in all, this drama's phenomenal success owes much to the combination of a compelling storyline, brilliant cast, and top-notch execution at every turn. Its global adoption speaks volumes about its unprecedented quality and wide-ranging appeal.

I highly recommend "When the Phone Rings" to anyone who enjoys fun storytelling and K-dramas. However, if you're not a fan of K-dramas or clichéd storylines, this might not be for you.

I'd give When the Phone Rings at least an 8.5/10. However, I'm adding extra points because I was totally immersed and fell in love with the lead couple. Even now I think about them and I miss them so much.

Warning: This drama is addictive. Proceed with caution!

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BEST DRAMA OF 2024-25

This drama had me HOOKED from beginning to end. The acting? PHENOMENAL. The story? AMAZING. The chemistry?? HELLO DO I EVEN NEED TO SAY ANSWER THIS, THE CHEM B/W YYS AND CSB WAS SERIOUSLY OFF THE CHARTS.

I will say, for a romance/thriller, the thriller part was definitely mid - but since I'm not a thriller fan! It didn't matter so much to me. To be honest, that doesn't even take much away from the drama though (unless you're a thriller fan watching the drama for that bit of thriller and you expected more). The drama was a bit cringey at some points, but it really shows how in depth the actors' acting was. They all portrayed their characters SO well. YYS's acting was PHENOMENAL, but that's NOT to say CSB's acting wasn't!!! This was the very first drama I've watched of his so his acting really stood out to me.

To be honest, I wish this drama had more episodes. I don't know how I'm going to say goodbye to this drama. WILL DEFINITELY REWATCH LATER.

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the plot is a big no

I don't mind wattpad plots and tsundre ml but not this, on the day of their wedding, he told her that she's a replacement of her sister and she basically a hostage until her sister comes back, he gave her a contract full of degrading rules, like what do you mean by saying "you can't get divorce"? isn't this against human right?
he hide her for years and mock her visibly and now, on ep10 after she found out that he was in love with her since they were child she told him that I finally found out why you make those rules, you were the one who told my sister that you're not the real baek saon so she ran away and then you get to marry me, so romantic OPPA I want to marry you again and again
????? he literally forced her to a marriage, hide her, mock her, make her life more miserable and now he's like "i do all of this bc I love you and I wanted to protect you" and surprisingly she said "thank you" 😐 girl????
also the 🇵🇸 comment? hell nah, as a country that was colonised and the people that were enslaved and massacre etc there are so many zi0 in Korea, it's kinda terrifying.
if it wasn't for the propaganda I would give it at least 6, I liked the first 6 eps, she was a Badass but after that it was annoying.
some wattpad plots are even beyond incredible, love to hate you is another wattpad plot but it was so good and so funny and so refreshing, all those cringe and cliche parts were actually funny and cute but this one is just 🤢
the acting is good, all of the cast are so good but I don't like yys, he's misogynist and disgusting, seeing his face is annoying for me, i used to like him but after knowing how disgusting he is I can't get away with him also the age gap was to obvious, he was like her father, there were so many good actors younger that yys for this role but yeah, a wasted potential, the plot could be better, they were trying to k-word each other in the first 6 eps then suddenly they act like a REAL married couple😐 you guys used to live like strangers how do you get so close suddenly?

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Please don't waste your time watching it

The characters have significant potential—a leads who are a hostage negotiator and a sign language expert—but none matters as the story progresses. The entire 12 episodes focus on building anticipation for romantic scenes to lure the audience. While I understand the bait, it’s underwhelming as a viewer when the story feels sidelined by the worst screenplay. The plot exists, but the show drags out dramatic scenes for far too long instead of exploring it.

The last few episodes were the worst—it felt like soft porn, unbearable to watch in one go. I appreciate the “will-they-won’t-they” tension and eventual romance, but the male lead just didn’t deliver because there is no plot, and their acting couldn’t make up for the nonsensical story and screenplay. There’s no depth to the emotions; the story exists only as a prop. Give me some actual plot to connect with the characters’ feelings!

The funniest part is, it’s not even rushed—it’s the atrocious screenplay that completely derails the plot. The lack of storytelling is so bad it feels like they didn’t even try to piece the narrative together. Scenes drag on endlessly with no purpose, leaving me disconnected and frustrated. It’s as if the creators banked entirely on the hype and romance, forgetting they needed a coherent story. Easily the most overhyped and poorly executed Korean drama of 2024.

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A Captivating K-Drama with Stellar Performances and Minor Flaws

This is one of the best K-dramas I’ve watched in a while. While it has its flaws, the overall production was outstanding. The plot was intriguing and, for the most part, well-executed. Watching it weekly as it aired kept me thoroughly engaged, eagerly anticipating each new episode.

Pros:
Outstanding Acting:
The performances, especially from the two leads, were phenomenal. Yoo Yeon Seok delivered a masterclass in subtlety—his ability to convey deep emotions through slight facial movements and the way his voice cracked was truly remarkable. Chae Soo Bin was equally impressive, and their chemistry was absolutely perfect.

Compelling Story:
Although the script had a few issues, I loved the story. After skimming through the novel (English translation), I truly appreciated the changes the screenwriters made. I loved the drama-version of Baek Sa Eon a lot better than the novel-version. My favorite alteration was having Hong Heejoo discover earlier on that Baek Sa Eon already knew her identity as the mystery caller. This allowed for more open communication and heartwarming interactions between the couple, which I adored. The ending tied up all loose ends effectively, although it did feel slightly rushed after spending too much time on Baek Sa Eon’s disappearance.

Brilliant Storytelling:
The narrative was beautifully presented, with thoughtful parallels and shots. For example, the line “Call me when you have a corpse” was repeated three times throughout the series, each time in a different context and evoking distinct emotions from the characters. These subtle touches added depth and richness to the storytelling.

Cons: The only con I found was with inconsistencies with the script:
Aside from the usual K-drama tropes—like characters surviving falling off a cliff with no broken bones or any visible injuries or scars magically disappearing overnight—my biggest disappointment lay in the final episode. Baek Sa Eon’s six-month disappearance felt so out of character and inconsistent with the story’s progression. For someone as considerate (especially towards the FL’s feelings and well-being) and steadfast as Baek Sa Eon, it seemed implausible for him to leave the female lead in such a manner, especially over something that was not his fault and beyond his control. This was particularly jarring given how explicitly she had shared her fears of abandonment in a previous episode. While this plot point might have worked in the novel—where the two leads did not openly communicate much—it felt forced and misplaced in the drama, where their relationship was built on mutual understanding.

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Almost the best show of 2024

I can now say with clarity that 2024 was an abysmal Kdrama year. It was one disappointment after underwhelming show after trash fire show after another! All the shows that started with great hype and massive potential *cough* lovelymarrymyrunnerhusband *cough* ended up with weird third acts or just bad plotting or shoehorned actors...everything was BAD! Everyone's favorite 2024 drama worked like the strongest sleeping pill for me! I fell over my computer on 4 different occasions before I gave up on it! It was basically impossible to find a good show! The late entries of the year that I ended up giving 10 stars to, were on par with previous years' 8-stars show but given the depressing landscape of 2024, I was desperate to give them some good ratings and they ended up over-complimented in the process.
And then, When The Phone Rings started airing.
I had no intention to watch this, like most shows I watched that year. It just sort of happened. I tried the first episode and it was so tense, addictive and mysterious that I immediately went for episode 2 and then I was craving for episode three! Sure, you need to lowkey turn off your feminist brain for the show to be enjoyable and there's still a lot that is questionable/unexplained in the plot but overall, it was good at keeping the tension high and building momentum for the upcoming episode. Add to that the steamy but subtle chemistry between the leading actors, their complex personalities and the ambiguous dynamics they had which bordered on unhealthy but never quite tipped into toxic territory and that kept the show fun to watch and also added a little spice to boot. This show was fun! Was it high quality? No...no, the production is really actually bad! The set designs are so basic, you can tell they had a low budget but they kept it classy. The acting wasn't good across the board either. For the most of the run, I thought this one guy was a secret villain but it turned out that the actor just...has an intense gaze, he he (awkward...). The mother characters looked really fake and just uncomfortable when they did their crying scenes. So it wasn't perfect in technical aspects and the plot was cheesy and slightly off at parts but the overall storytelling was so enjoyable and entertaining.
There was also sweet separations from the norm, the SFL isn't vengeful or jealous. The SML while still a SML (So like, how good can he be?!) was still less pushy and didn't overstep. The characters set up to be jealous and cruel were just supportive and neutral. The villains were not omniscient gods. They were sh*t at being villains like you would expect normal humans to be sh*t at stuff. The FL, though mainly a damsel in distress, showed unexpected spunk and fire and managed to save herself a number of times. The ML, is the main reason everyone watched this, was SO HOT! And though he was gloomy and broody when he was grinding on that miscommunication train, he was at his sexiest when he started to learn communication. Love to see it! This was the kind of show that was so fun and good to watch in small doses!
And then, around episode 8 it started to get a bit slow and I found episode 9 and 10 to be less enjoyable than previous ones though they still wrapped it up nicely. But then...episodes 11 and 12 were awful! I have never seen a show ruin itself so magnificently! My god! I can't believe I'm saying this...this show did not need 12 episodes!!!! They could've wrapped this up in 10 episodes! 11 at most! The pacing was slow in 11 but in 12, the pacing was high on drugs and tripping on freaking clouds! It was confusing, it made no sense. WHY???? Why would you do this to your show?! omg...you almost had the perfect show, goddamit!
So yeah. If this was to prove anything, it proved that nothing about 2024 was good and redeemable! This was the last chance to have a perfect 2024 show but they fumbled the bag.
It's not even a mini-problem! They spent 10 episodes setting up a character who learns communication, only for him to just forget all about that character growth and just regress to "I know what's best for her" nonsense. How can you undo everything you so meticulously set up for 11 episodes, in just 67 minutes?!
And it dragged. The most boring episode of the show. Made no sense, was all over the place, suddenly we get a voiceover explaining random conclusions to plot points, the filming technique looked like daytime sitcom shows, the acting was stilted, the plot was out of the left field. And then they give you the cute resolution in the final moments but it came after the most bizarre and random episode that I didn't even enjoy it well.
Almost. It was almost the best show of 2024. What a pity.
I don't regret watching it but it ended on a really sour note and I redacted 2 points, at first but then, for the sake of all that I had enjoyed in this show, I returned one point.
Could've been a ten...but it's not. What a waste! What a pity.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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WTPR is an exceptional drama of personal growth,

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

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

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Love – Only One Phone Call Away

When The Phone Rings is a captivating drama that drew me in from the very first episode. This intricately crafted series opens with a series of thought-provoking questions that gradually unfold as the story progresses. By the time the final episode arrives, everything aligns perfectly, leading to a beautifully executed conclusion. I particularly appreciated how the drama maintained a tense atmosphere while skillfully integrating the romantic elements between the ML and FL

Having previously encountered the talents of the male lead and female lead in their earlier projects, I was particularly struck by Yoo Yeon Seok's interpretation of Paik Sa Eon. His ability to convey a broad spectrum of emotions made the character both relatable and captivating. Chae Soo Bin also delivered a noteworthy performance as Hong Hee Joo. I found her portrayal especially demanding in the initial episodes, yet she navigated it with remarkable finesse. The undeniable chemistry between Yeon Seok and Soo Bin further enhanced the appeal of their characters, making Paik Sa Eon and Hong Hee Joo so loved by me.

The OST is also worthy of praise. My personal favorite is "I Feel it Now," sung by Whee In from Mamamoo, which profoundly enriches the emotional landscape of the interactions between the male and female leads. Additionally, Yoo Yeon Seok's contribution with "Say My Name" highlights his artistic versatility.

In conclusion, this drama is a must-see, expertly blending suspense and romance while delivering exceptional performances that make it truly remarkable.

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