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Passive Aggressive Racism... it deserves a better ending...
Hello everyone!***This review is based on my personal feelings and opinion.***
'When The Phone Rings' starts off strong with a gripping story, excellent twists and turns, and amazing performances by most of the cast. The characters are well-developed, the main leads had great chemistry, and the pacing keeps viewers engaged. But all of that is completely ruined by the disaster that is the last half of the final episode.
However, the final episode is a major letdown. The male lead's abrupt decision to abandon the female lead feels completely out of character, as if the writers forced in a shocking twist without any logical buildup. His motivations are unclear, contradicting everything the show established about his personality and his regret towards his relationship with the female lead. It's lazy, inconsistent storytelling that feels like it was thrown together at the last minute.
Additionally, the depiction of the Aragan rebels is troubling. While the show doesn't explicitly feature Arabs, but the rebels' appearance and actions bear a strong resemblance to Hamas. On top of that, they conveniently only kidnap white people, which adds an uncomfortable racial dynamic that feels completely unnecessary, its not just bad writing - it's irresponsible.
What should have been a satisfying conclusion turns into a frustrating mess. This unfortunate choice undermines the series' credibility and leaves a problematic final impression.
*A great show that deserved a much better ending. Instead, we got this train wreck.*
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Promise remained undelivered.
The plot started off quite interesting, with frequent twists, revealing more about the main characters. Initially, there was a fair balance between the thriller, suspense and romance in the story which made it quite engaging. However, as the show progressed, the plot became repetitive, predictable, and somewhat frustrating.Still worth binging, but was definitely not worth the weekly wait (after a certain point in the show) anymore.
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Nice one but for me not the best
I enjoyed this drama so here I'm writing a review. I don't get the logic they were married for three whole years and then suddenly their love begins to be shown. And also the ending was so messed up. The drama was to the point until the last episode. There were unnecessary scenes fillers, unnecessary turns, and he disappeared for no reason for such a long time. You must be kidding! Honestly speaking, I enjoyed it until episode 11.Was this review helpful to you?
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The swing to the right is real
...so the swing of the public opinion to the right, patriarchal is real. Another drama with the trope 'he treats her like trash, with contempt and sometimes real hate, but that's for greater good and he will later mend the error of his ways'.She fights back, but obviously not in a healthy way, because she's used to be abused. So first time he offers her some bread crumb of attention, she'll be head over heels.
Never been tempted to watch 50 shades.
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the last episode feels so unnecessary
the last episode could've executed better, it almost beg the question what were the writers thinking. just really takes you out of the immersion where it could had being a solid end and closure.also did not like the fight scene and how cheesy some of the car scenes were. But overall not a bad show, just could've better and with variances of qualities between different episodes.
overall not a bad show, just could've better and with variances of qualities between different episodes.
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Great first couple of episodes
When I first started watching this drama I was excited.The first few episodes where really well paced and captivating, the story had an interesting baseline and the acting was on pair. I’m not a huge fan of the ML but I think he did a good job. As for the FL, I think she was a good cast for this role.
However, the further I watched the less I enjoyed it. The plot started to become just too unrealistic (considering the main theme of this genre).
I could feel how hard they were trying to keep the episodes eventful, but with no real substance, just piling up a false sense of intensity.
The writing was chaotic but predictable at the same time and the support roles where too superficially explored for me to develop an interest.
The final episodes where just plane nonsense in my opinion, it was just unnecessary and unrealistic intensity that made no sense whatsoever.
Overall, WTPR has the correct ingredients to captivate viewers and it could have been a great exciting drama, but it ended up falling short.
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Great drama with a stupid ending
This drama has a really intriguing plot – when her sister flees from her wedding to an influential heir, Hong Hui Ju, who is mute, steps in as the bride. After three years of a cold and distant marriage of convenience with her husband, Baek Sa Eon, everything changes when Hong Hui Ju is kidnapped. This incident forces them to confront their true selves: the wife reveals her strength, while the husband grapples with his own struggles, and we finally get a glimpse into their complex family dynamics.Initially, I expected this to be a typical married-couple-falls-in-love drama, but I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the storyline.
I found myself enjoying it quite a bit, especially in the beginning. Hong Hui Ju is a strong character; despite her muteness, she exudes personality, and her strength and perseverance are truly inspiring. I admired how she grew more assertive, stopped trying to please those who wished to harm her, and pursued her dreams despite numerous challenges.
Baek Sa Eon is also a nuanced character. The actor, Yoo Yeon Seok, brilliantly portrays him as aloof and seemingly uninterested in others' lives, maintaining an expressionless demeanour and unwavering eyes. I always found myself curious about his thoughts.
The supporting characters each play significant roles in the drama, as well. Their introductions felt purposeful, and the plot seamlessly integrates them as the story unfolds – the way that I did not see the drama involving Lee Tae Yeong and Park Do Jae!
All that said, I was slightly disappointed with the finale. I’m tired of the hurt-them-to-save-them trope. There was no reason for Baek Sa Eon to leave or for the time skip to occur. The series could have concluded once the main intrigue was resolved, without unnecessarily dragging it out for drama's sake.
Overall, while I found the ending frustrating, it didn’t overshadow the quality of the drama. I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys romance intertwined with additional plotlines and complex characters.
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I was over the moon watching this show—and I didn’t even write a review back then?
I can be pretty picky about ongoing dramas—I usually lose interest halfway through and end up dropping them. But this one was different. I started watching it when it first aired because of Chae Soo Bin, and actually found myself patiently waiting for new episodes every week. The refreshing storyline and the leads’ intense chemistry really pulled me in. I know they both ATE when it comes to kissing scenes, but THEY REALLY ATE HARD on this one. LOLWas this review helpful to you?
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I actually did not hate the show, the last two episodes just kinda sucked
I honestly do not hate the show, but the last two episodes peeved me. The 12th episode kinda sucked, it felt like filler for something that should have ended on the 11th episode and the 12th should've just showed them together. Beak Sa Eon (this is likely an incorrect spelling) was the most irritating character for me, i felt this a little at the start but it really solified with him disappearing for no good reason. First off his reason for being mean to Hee Joo sucked almost the same way the mothers reason for forcing her daughter into silence sucked. All the characters' reasons for being rude to Hee Joo only to turn around and say oh we actually care about you (oh boo hoo!!), is stupid (none of them make sense (even the reporter girl was rude at the start and we didnt really address that). Then Beak Sa Eon decides to disappear when all of this could've ended if he stepped on the gas in the 11th episode (there was so much time, but he decides to get out of the car, REALLY!!). But it gets worse, what the heck was that war zone scene, I don't even want to talk about it. The show just irritated me; I'm happy for them but the show lost me. I literally left the show unfinished, as soon as she got kidnapped in the 12th episode, for 2 months, that's how much that nonsense irritated me.Honestly do I recommend the show? yah sure. Do I recommend the last 2 episodes? I would say save your sanity. ✌️
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Female lead and act
Every one doing well except the female lead..her wig is very obvious and expression is same in all situations..male lead is doing very good acting .. background music is very perfect, it's good to watch because of the different theme and direction .now only started so we have to wait until it finishesWas this review helpful to you?
The Writing Style is That of an Old Crusty Boomer
Does the writer like women? The relationships are so toxic. The women are caricatures and the men are brutish and arrogant.The actors are acting and I'm trying to stick with it because of them. We shall see.... It's a hard watch so far. I hope it improves soon. I wish Netflix had a comments feature like Viki.
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Dramatic but boring plot
I liled the main lead from Phantom Lawyer so i watch this while waitinf for new episodes. At first, it looks generic with the description and poster. Then I tried first episode and got interested w the endingI binge watch this until episode 5 and thought the female MC is smart!! But she is starting to sabotage everytime she calls ML :v I dropped this since im tired of hearing only ML talking lmao and this kdrama can end if MC talks
I hope they add more characters to the kdrama thats not only mute girl and rich ceo boss. Will try to watch this again somedayy
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