Editorials 
A Thrilling Start!
When the Phone Rings is a perfect mix of mystery and chills. It kicks off with a creepy phone call that pulls strangers into a dangerous game. Right away, you can feel the tension as the characters realize the caller knows their secrets—and isn’t messing around.The shocker comes when the game claims its first victim, leaving everyone, in total disbelief. The suspense builds up so well that you can’t help but wonder who’s next.
Just when it seems like we’ll get answers, the episode ends with a cliffhanger that makes it impossible not to keep watching. If you love thrilling mysteries, this is the show for you.
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So I hate Korean romance dramas and I seriously hate the 'enemies to lovers' type of dramas and unfortunately that's what this drama is. Everything I despise in a Korean drama is this drama so I ended up dropping it. For one the FL was just plain stupid and the ML was just plain annoying. I got tired of looking at his old throbbing veined hands and people's feet walking across a floor. I also thought the FL was going to stick with getting rid of her so-called arranged marriage but I learn the two main characters will fall for each other...ugh. The villain made no sense but I guess that's because I stopped watching this drama. Once I read the synopsis for the rest of the episodes I just did a eye roll and took it off my list.
I started watching Korean dramas back in the summer of 2020 after the unexpected death of my father. The action Korean dramas helped me heal and I tried to find any and every action Kdrama out there. It's been 4 years since I started watching Korean dramas but for the past year and a half all I keep stumbling across are cringe worthy romance dramas...THAT'S IT!! I've dropped more Kdramas over the past year and a half and is losing hope. Why can't I find a nice Korean drama that don't have cringe worthy romance in it??? Why???
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Political Mystery Thriller Romance
The original expectations for me for the Korean Drama When the Phone Rings (2024) was that this Korean drama would be a Political Mystery Thriller of the criminal kind. However, a huge plot twist has made this drama a sensual killer of the pulsating kind. I have never seen a phone be used for a tool of sensuality. OMG. Male Lead Yoo Yeon Seok will forever be remembered for that incredible first kiss in episode one of Doctor Romantic and the brush of the fingers by a lady’s skirt as he played Bad Boy Gu Dong Mae in Mr Sunshine. He is doing it again in When the Phone Rings. Yoo Yeon Seok is the originator of his signature pulsating glance, the heart has to be forced to stay still.Yoo Yeon Seok costars with Cahe Soo Bin (I Am Not A Robot). Only two episodes in, When the Phone Rings is becoming a fan favorite already, garnering 8.7/10 on MDL. We will see if they can keep this up. 💌💌💌💌
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It’s not that good!
I love the plot line, I thought is was about this mute girl who finds her worth and possibly exacts revenge against the ML. Not spoil the story or anything but the drama took a COMPLETE left turn. The FL seems incompetent and I hate the way this story is going, in some sense I started resenting the FL because of how she was acting. Not to say that how she felt or what she did was wrong (I was totally on board until she lied) She wasn’t exacting revenge in justice she was just nasty. Idk how to explain it but she just seems like a NASTY person. She became everything I hated seeing in a woman and human. I’ve only watched 2-3 episodes and that was enough for me. It was too cliche as well, enemies to lovers but with the twist of an arranged marriage. I honestly have never dropped a kdrama this quick.However, if you do enjoy the cliches of arranged marriages, a FL who sticks up for herself (somewhat), and a conflict between the ML and FL where their love is a mix between hatred and admiration you may enjoy it.
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Baek Sa Eon is truly a captivating figure, with his history as a political figure and his challenging experiences as both a war correspondent and hostage negotiator – he's not your average male protagonist by any means! The depiction of the strain in his marriage, with Hui Ju is incredibly moving. When she is abducted; you can sense the devastation enveloping his world.
Hong Hui Ju stands out as a character, in the storys narrative; her quiet demeanor isn't merely a device but an integral aspect of her identity that resonates powerfully through the portrayal of her resilience amidst past traumas. The inclusion of her role as a sign language interpreter adds an poignant layer to her character portrayal. Her abduction doesn't just serve as a plot twist; it also delves into the depth and tension, between her and Sa Eon—a dynamic that captivates ones attention with its intensity and complexity.
The cinematography and pacing, in this film are outstandingly well done. Each scene seems purposeful. Contributes to the narrative. There is a sense of tension and mystery in every moment that is complemented by the charged soundtrack. The exploration of themes such, as communication and love resonates deeply with the audience. Despite their imperfections they are easy to empathize with and support throughout the story.
"If you're seeking a gripping drama filled with emotion and deep themes that makes you think deeply about life—look no further, than When the Phone Rings (2024). It's definitely one of the standout shows I've watched this year! Make sure you catch it!"
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An Unnecessary Twist
An interesting story with a surprising twist at the end. While the plot developed well, the final decision of the protagonist to flee and join a war in another country felt out of place and unnecessary. It left the audience questioning the motivations behind such an abrupt conclusion, especially when everything seemed to resolve well beforehand. The ending takes an even stranger turn as the protagonist and their partner make love amidst the chaos of the armed conflict, adding confusion to the narrative.Was this review helpful to you?
OMG !veins ? of his hands god damn le'me breathe
The story .. of last 2 eps .. didn't get out of my head man '''' GOD DAMN WHAT A STORY LINE I WAS CRAZY OVER IT. what ever I was doing I remember tension of the story and connection between the leads and what gonna happen in next eps and I wanna watch it ASAP BUT I CAN'T ITS AIR WEEKLY 2 EPS ..F**kin.. I'm going SHOUTING OUT LOUDER ..
YOO YEONSEOK .. MAN YOU ARE AN AMAZING ACTOR YAAR.. I FALLEN FOR U EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU SUCH AN AMAZING MAN ...
I don't how of people noticed the veins 👀 of his hands god damn le'me breathe.
Overly excited about the next episodes and eagerly waiting ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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Not enough thrill for a thriller drama!
I will start with what I loved about the drama, simply what carried me through the drama. Yes! It’s the main lead couple’s fiery chemistry!! They looked amazing togather and carried every different dynamic of their relationship well. Chemistry was chemistying but was that enough? No!!! Absolutely not.. The overall concept was good but the execution of the story seemed weak to me.For instance the identity of the caller 604 could’ve remained unknown to Saeon for longer and they could’ve made it more fun and thrilling. I feel like the use of 604 was limited. And it was the only interesting part of the show soo they could’ve engaged with this element longer.. The reason I am saying this is because there was nothing much to the story to keep the thrill going.
Saeon was president spokesperson but he had no security after work !!!! The character’s secrets weren’t that big of a mystery as it should’ve been. Baek Saeon was adopted and not the real son was also revealed quite early in the show. The same with heejo’s fake muteness. It was revealed too soon. The only mystery was the deal behind the two families and that didn’t surprise me that much either. Simply put the family secret that they made such a big deal outta weren’t that big or crazy to make the audience go woahhh.
And finally the fact they Saeon loved her ever since they were kids and actually wanted to marry her but still tormented her for 3 years is wild. It didn’t set well with me. How come he let her suffer for 3 whole years if he really loved her!!!
Overall the story was quite weak for a mystery thriller and there weren’t as many thrilling factors in the show as there should’ve been.
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Tricked too many times
I was disappointed by the story and the way it was delivered. I was not disappointed in the acting. The actors were great. I just felt like there were too many surprises for the viewer, where we were deprived of key knowledge or illogical outcomes were revealed after a time jump so the suspenseful moments didn’t feel like they had satisfying payoffs. Finally, the last episode… There were many far-fetched moments throughout the series, but the first half of the last episode completely jumped the shark. It made me stop caring about the resolution among the characters.One final note: I liked the effort to have a story that included people who use sign language. And hats off to the female lead for doing such a great job using a visual language. However, I was disappointed that the character progressions still emphasized that being deaf/mute is something that requires fixing.
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Started off strong but...
This Drama really started off strong. However, it quickly fell off after the big reveal of who was behind the phone. After that, the drama went downhill quickly. Furthermore, the last episode was really bad. Overall, in the first half of the series, the show is AMAZING. the tension, the suspense, the drama is so good, literally has you at the edge of your seat. But sadly, halfway through, the show's plot seriously suffers. The only reason I have given it 7.5 is because of how good the first few episodes are. it's a shame they didn't keep up that quality throughout the show.Was this review helpful to you?
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When the Phone Rings: A Slow-Burn Thriller with a Misleading Title (Watch Now, Later or Skip?)
"When the Phone Rings" initially intrigued with its mysterious title, hinting at a chilling game of cat-and-mouse. While the series does delve into suspense and intrigue, the title ultimately feels misleading. The true mystery doesn't revolve around the initial "Caller 406" incident, but rather the protagonist's elaborate scheme to replace a psychopathic grandson with his own son.This slow-burn thriller effectively builds tension, though the pacing can feel sluggish at times. The plot felt scattered and unfocused, with too many subplots competing for attention and ultimately undermining the main narrative.
The inclusion of the news anchor (and her love interest) subplot felt unnecessary, detracting from the main narrative. Similarly, the investigation into the dead children, while intended to connect the twins and the true son, seemed to be stretching to tie everything together, resulting in a convoluted and unconvincing narrative.
The reveal of the true culprit fell flat due to an unconvincing performance from the actor. Their delivery lacked the necessary intensity and gravitas, making the moment anticlimactic.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the series boasts strong performances from the lead actors. YYS, in particular, impressively transforms into a character far removed from his real-life persona, showcasing his remarkable acting range. The female lead also delivers a compelling performance, and her dedication to learning sign language adds a layer of authenticity to her character.
Overall:
"When the Phone Rings" is a thought-provoking thriller with a unique premise. While the title and certain plot points could have been more streamlined, the strong performances and intriguing central mystery make it a worthwhile watch for fans of the genre. So, you should watch now, maybe a hyped drama, but worth the watch.
Note: This review reflects your personal opinions and may not align with the general consensus.
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ANOTHER CLOY IN MAKING?
YYS acting kept me watching this drama, ngl it was super addictive on the starting but after repetition of plot ( aka heejoo getting kidnapped for millionth time) i got pet peeveed ... ughh.
nevermind, the story was (at least for me) new because as new generation say it was " wattapad coded" lol sorry i never read wattapad so lol can't relate. tbh if any other was casted instead of YYS and i would have dropped it in an instant but because he was able to pull of this role due to his gaunty facial masculine features and death stare direct gaze... in short i stayed cuz of him
NOW... i would say that the last two eps made saeon character contradictory because you can't tell me that ep 6,7 saeon would ever pull THAT SHIT what was done in ep12... like wth was that au mercenary shit was that,... like in ep 6,7 he literally was close to having his arota closed because of heejoo missing and ep 12 saeon literally said sayonara cuz his big daddyoo pulled the truck on heejoo... like come on.
ughhhhhh.
and not to mention they didn't give us the second wedding, instead we got freaks in the sheet duo ( which was in my point of view was not necessarily needed, the proposal or second wedding would have been more impactful in my humble opinion)
anyways, it finally gave a trip down memory lane when i first started watching kdramas.. now??? mmmm maybe it's time to finally say goodbye to them cuz they can't writer a decent ending to all
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