When the Phone Rings

Fun but I hoped for more

After hearing a lot of hype for this, I decided to check it out. First 4 episodes are fantastic, high tempo thriller that keeps the tension, two great leads and great cast in general. OST really stuck in my mind as well. Then I think drama tried to do way too much. There is way too many plot twists and turns to the story that it overcomplicates storylines for no reason and draws attentions away from the main plot. The romance between the leads has both ups and downs for me. The chemistry is there, but significant age difference really bothered me sometimes, maybe because the female lead has a baby face and looks even younger age than she actually is. Also when it comes to romance, the writers sometimes write it very childlishly as if teens were falling in love and not two adults, when the romance is shown in a mature way that's where it shines.
The finale doesnt stick the landing. It feels as if the show run out of stream and they still needed one more episode.
Overall its a fun watch, but nothing more.

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When Your Wife Calls

I thought this series would lead me back to Kdrama. Unfortunately, it failed me again. This is your another clichéd Kdrama full of murder, crimes, political and family rivalry. I'm here supposedly for the romance. But, the romance I am hoping for took a back seat in the story. Oh yes, it started again with that aloof, domineering, snob character of the ML. Which expectedly would make a turn towards the end of the drama. Yes, everything is predictable, from the crime itself, the childhood flashbacks, the orphanage and the romance itself. Very poor storyplot. Lots of unnecessary characters like the sister of the FL who didn't play a significant role at all, FL's colleagues in the court or judiciary.

The idea of the burner phone is too lame for me just to express ones feelings. Even poor execution of crime solving. Like, a car that can be easily hacked and operated by a culprit but a simple burner phone cannot be easily located or even decoded by the Office of the President. Like, how inefficient such office can be?

Anyways, this is a wasted potential. If only the writers focused on the romance, instead of the too overly used crime trope, it would have been much more interesting. Yes, this is a total slowburn. Why let the audience wait for the finale for a married couple to get intimate? Can't it be at least halfway thru? or better yet, after the wedding ceremony itself since the feeling is mutual anyway. Would have been much better if they have kids in the finale.

Mysterious Love or My Lethal Man Cdrama is way better than this.

I was suppose to give this a 7.0 for the minimal romantic interaction between the leads. The actors were all awesome. My first time to watch Yoo Yeon Seok in a drama. Second time for Chae Soo Bin as first seen her in I'm Not A Robot. Still, gave an overall rating of 8.0 for the intimate finale scene. Definitely, chemistry was there. Another overrated drama.

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when the phone rings, sometimes you answer and sometimes you just call back later

An interesting premise: a mysterious caller and kidnapper. The phone changed hands.
A ridiculous premise: stand-in, for show marriage (and some, but not all, that followed.)

Chae Soo Bin delivers a particularly strong performance, effectively conveying the escalating tension and paranoia experienced by her character. While Yoo Yeon Seok also delivers a commendable performance, capturing the evolving dynamics of his character, his portrayal may not reach the same emotional depth or range as some of his previous work.
The chemistry between the leads, while present, could have been more pronounced. I didn't feel a strong spark between them as I wanted. Their on-screen chemistry felt a bit subdued, and I found myself wishing for a more intense connection. It felt like something was missing, and it prevented me from fully investing in their relationship.

Let's talk about the 3 years of emotional abuse...
I cannot and will not, no matter the MLs justification, forgive 3 years of emotional terrorism. At best, he was unfriendly to her; at worst he is just a terrible person that deservers no forgiveness for his neglect. I don't know how that can lead to any romance (other than the tired trope of first love conquering all.) His attempted justification is even more stupid. He could have just communicated with her. Their relationship suffered needlessly due to a lack of basic communication skills. Weird how a spokesperson would traumatize his wife with a basic lack of communication.

While the lead performances provide a solid foundation, the supporting cast may appear less developed in comparison. Some secondary characters feel somewhat stereotypical, and their motivations and reactions might seem painfully predictable. This lack of depth in the supporting roles can occasionally detract from the overall narrative flow and diminish the emotional impact of certain scenes throughout the show.

It's worth noting that both lead actors likely did the best they could with the material provided. The writing, although not exceptional, had its moments. The dialogue occasionally felt stilted, and some plot points lacked the necessary depth to fully engage the audience. The narrative could have benefited from a more nuanced exploration of character motivations and a more compelling overall arc. While there were moments of brilliance, the writing ultimately fell short of its full potential.

I think the initial phone conversations were fantastic. 406 should have stayed 406 until the finale (or at least much later in the show). It was really the best part of the show for me. I really wish that it was carried on for a while and was the main premise for unlocking the key relationships and key parts of the mystery. Furthermore, the show missed an opportunity to meaningfully explore the character's selective mutism, which could have significantly advanced the plot. Especially as a juxtaposition between the phone conversations.

Ultimately, it is a perfectly okay show for me (and that is okay.) I am glad I watched it, but don't think I will ever watch it again.

Pros:
• Strong Lead Performances
• The Visuals

Cons:
• Underdeveloped Characters
• Ridiculous Premise

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Unimpressive Romance/Mystery, Despite Promising Premise & Great Acting

BEFORE READING: Opinions differ, and my review and rating might not align with the popular opinion. This is my honest take on the drama. If you love the drama and can't bear to see any negativity about it, please skip my review. Others who are open to a different perspective and constructive discussion, read on!

I started "When the Phone Rings" with excitement due to the lead actors and the thriller-romance premise. However, two episodes in, I was confused about the direction - whether it was a mystery/thriller or romance. After learning from others that there is a novel which is more detailed and primarily a spicy romance, I realized my expectations were misplaced. Despite this, I kept watching weekly, hoping to know the mystery reveal, though poorly laid out. Sadly, the drama progressed by my hopes spiraled down as the drama's clichés didn't work for me in terms of romance or thriller, even though the actors performed well.

While I believe it is best to block/miss if this drama is calling you, breaking it down why I'm saying so:

➥ NEGATIVES:
(1) Romance:
As a woman, I couldn't imagine ever forgiving someone like the ML after years of neglect, especially after hearing what he said on the phone in Ep 1. This sentiment remains despite the fact that he was a childhood sweetheart and is now attempting to make amends. BUT How can three years of damage and indifference be justified and forgotten overnight? This was my biggest challenge, and I felt the rushed storyline didn't address it well. Even if the neglect years happened off-screen, their sudden realization of love felt implausible, even within the realm of drama logic. While these clichés are common, I've seen much better enemies-to-lovers plots, and this drama's romance angle didn't work for me at all. Even the convincingly acted intimate scenes felt forced to remain true to the spicy angle of novel, as the drama couple's arc was so weak. In my opinion, extending the drama to 16 episodes might have allowed more time to flesh out and develop the main leads' rediscovery of their old love gradually, rather than the rushed approach taken.

(2) Mystery/Thriller:
After 2 episodes, I realized my expectations for a "Gone Girl"-style mystery/thriller were misplaced. However, instead of dropping the drama, I continued watching at 2X speed each week, intrigued by the mystery surrounding the past secrets of the Paik family & the orphanage. Unfortunately, the plot did not progress well, becoming a mess especially from Ep 8's supposedly "big-reveal". The twists were obvious & revelations lacked impact. The final episode was entirely unnecessary—they could have simply provided a happy ending at the end of Ep 11, without the antagonist whispering an already known fact to the ML.

➥ POSITIVES:
(1) The Second Couple (Yuri & Sang Yoo):
Though very minimal screen-time, their romance grew slowly, organically, & felt believable. I'm seeing both the actors for the first time - they're talented & captivating especially Heo Nam Jun. Definitely going to watch their other works!

(2) Paik Sa-Eon (ML)'s acting:
Already familiar with his acting since his debut as a teen in Old Boy & he was a reason why I started this drama, as I was convinced of his talent. While his delivery was flawless as he showed a range of emotions - goofiness (elevator scene), anguish at loss of his beloved or betrayal, charm/aura as the Spokesperson, determination (when finding the culprit) - it still could not redeem this otherwise directionless drama for me.

➥ OVERALL: SKIP/One-Time Watch at best.
Personally, this drama was struggling to find its identity as a romance/thriller. The only reason I dragged myself to continue & not drop it was cause of: (1) my love for YYS as an actor (2) the hope that it will improve next week & justify the 8.9 rating (3) the end-twist will be so unique that it will shift the ground beneath my feet (4) did not want to make my dropped list longer. Alas, in the end, nothing worked for me but I am rating this as an average (5/10) purely for the actors' talent.

The drama can be a one time watch, if one likes cliches like webnovels/wattpad stories (Cold CEO is a great lover kind) - but fair warning, for me it was a romance that tried to justify the actions of a neglectful husband with a forced mystery/thriller/family secret plot that was increadibly weak.

Drama Rating System: https://kisskh.at/profile/omo-omo-omo
(Scroll to the said section on my profile page)

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The phone rang , but it wasn't the drama I was waiting for!

The drama had all the right elements to be a good mystery-thriller but unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to its initial premise. The first half had me completely hooked but by the end, I felt kind of let down by the lacklustre conclusions and rushed pacing. Don't get me wrong, its wit's far from being terrible but definitely a disappointment, especially when you compare it to the intrigue and mystery that were introduced early on.

The plot itself was solid - Baek Sa Eon, a man with a prestigious fancy political background and a complicated shady past was a pretty interesting lead. The whole mystery surrounding his wife Hong Hui Ju, her kidnapping and then the phone calls had me invested The tension and suspense that built up in the beginning were great but as it went on it lost its spark when logic took the backseat.

Sa Eon’s character started off as this cold, calculated guy and I liked how complicated his character was. Being the youngest presidential spokesman sort of gave him some serious depth. There was a mystery to his persona, tough on the outside, but you could sense something softer beneath. In the first few episodes, his portrayal was spot-on and I was all in. However, as the episodes progressed Sa Eon seemed to lose that sharp edge that made him so compelling. Instead of continuing his evolution as an "intelligent, scheming and smart character", he fell into a more predictable, emotional fool arc once he started to fall in love. The transformation felt abrupt and unrealistic, as though the writers decided to abandon the complexity of his character in favour of giving us a more conventional romantic storyline (which we didn't ask for, if I might add that).

Hong Hui Ju also started with a strong, mysterious presence as well. Her selective mutism and tragic backstory created a sense of depth that initially seemed promising. But as the plot unfolded, she too began to fit into those cliche familiar tropes, damsel in distress being on the top.
After clearing the air between her and Sa Eon, she made decisions that seemed out of character, acting impulsively and putting herself and Sa Eon in danger. Instead of her being a strong, self-sufficient character which I was rooting for and saw glimpses of in the earlier episodes, she got caught up in the predictable romance too which undermined the mysterious tone it was initially trying to maintain.

Now, the romance between Sa Eon and Hui Ju? It was sweet, no doubt. They had great chemistry and the moments between them were tender and kisses were done very tastefully. But I wasn’t watching this for a love story. I came for the suspense and the mystery which was the initial setup and honestly, I felt like their relationship kind of stole the spotlight. While it had some nice moments, it pushed the darker, more exciting parts of the show to the side. As a romance drama, I would give it a much higher rating but a drama where the first two genres are mentioned as mystery and thriller, it was just not it.

The antagonists were another weak point for me. I had all these crazy theories about who was behind the kidnappings and the shady dealings of the past and the buildup created a lot of anticipation. But when the big reveals finally came, they were so underwhelming that I sorta felt disconnected from the story. The plot twists that were supposed to be shocking ended up feeling predictable, anticlimactic and just meh.

Also, can we please get a spin-off for the second couple because the chemistry was so evident! There was a certain softness in their interactions, an intimacy that didn’t need any grand gestures or dramatic declarations. I wish they got more screen time that could have actually done justice to their love story.

Overall, what could’ve been the show of the year for me turned out to be the first disappointment of 2025. While it’s not entirely bad but compared to how it started, the drop in quality is pretty hard to ignore.
I would recommend this if you're a fan of the leads and want to see what the hype was all about. But honestly, go in with tempered expectations.

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this is why I never pick up unknown calls

The best way to describe When the Phone Rings is "tropey". In a way, it feels like the essence of classic kdramas. The contract marriage setup, the ML's cold and domineering personality, even the way the leads fall in love -- nothing is particularly fresh or new. Still, the writers spun an engaging idea out of a kidnapper's call that had the potential to create a tense, sizzling dynamic between the leads, but unfortunately, this potential was never fully realized.

The fundamental issue lies with the leads. Our FL is void of personality, will, clear goals, basically anything that makes a character a compelling person. Although her actions are consistent with her backstory, it would've made a far more interesting story if the FL were more of a ruthless, decisive character. Instead, we got a passive character with little resolve, little intelligence, and lots of scared expressions. It felt more like things kept happening to her rather than her taking control of the narrative.

The ML is... really something. They really did bring back the classic tsundere trope for him and I was not a fan. He has little personality other than being domineering, although he was pretty good at that. Maybe a little too good. I was kind of fed up with his bitchiness that he later tried to brush off. Like give my girl some free will, please. i.e. He's either inconsistent to an insane degree or has the maturity of a ten-year-old, take your pick.

Put these two together and the sizzling romance you wanted becomes a flat one. Their chemistry in the beginning is basically just Sa Eon: bursts into the room. Hui Ju: looks scared. Sa Eon: walks closer. Hui Ju: looks scared. Sa Eon: gets in her face. Hui Ju: looks scared. Then miraculously, one day Sa Eon wakes up and suddenly decides he doesn't want to be a jerk to Hui Ju anymore. Because he really needed someone to kidnap and threaten her in order to treat his wife with decent politeness. So the hope for good chemistry was already pretty low. But the little chemistry that could possibly have been siphoned out of this setup is completely lost because seriously, no one understands why they like each other. I believe the issue here is also that instead of the characters' actions furthering their relationship and the plot, outside factors and events seem to just be pulling this passive couple around.

The plot itself is not bad. The middle feels both useless and draggy, but the story ramps up near the end. The twists, reveals, and stakes were enough to keep me watching.

BUT FINALLY, the real reason I kept watching through it all! Yu Ri and Sang U. The most adorable second lead couple that has graced the screen. And I say this as someone who has never liked second lead couples. Yu Ri and Sang U, from the get-go, have far more palpable chemistry than the lead couple. Their "overdramatic fl x matter-of-fact ml" dynamic is so cute to watch, and I loved Yu Ri's cheerfulness and Sang U's casual quirks. Props to Sang U's actor, honestly. Did I watch 12 hours of this show for their meager 15 minutes of screentime? Yes, yes I did. Did I add .5 to the rewatch value because I will be rewatching their scenes? Yes, yes I did.

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It started strong but got weak towards the end

When I started this drama I was completely hooked and invested. I absolutely loved their chemistry, the acting and the plot, at least for the first 8 episodes. During these episodes I was smiling the whole time because they were so cute. After these eight episodes it became kinda boring and the plot got weaker in my opinion. Episodes 9 to 11 were okay but could have been better. Then I began to watch episode 12 and I just really didn't like it. First, I was confused why he would just disappear and leave her alone after he has been in love with her for so many years and just as they finally became a real married couple. Then I found out that he went to a war zone because he wanted to punish himself for the fact that his father killed Hong Hee-Jos brother?? That's were I was absolutely confused and needed to laugh because for me that was like so random and didn't make sense. Why would he punish himself for something his father did??
After that Hong Hee-Jo decided to travel to this war zone and then she was kidnapped by rebels and later saved by Baek Sa-eon?? I don't know why but that was just too unrealistic and random for me.
Another thing which I didn't like was the fact that the second female lead and the second male lead (I think that's who they were) suddenly announced that they were getting married without us seeing them as a couple or even sharing their first kiss.
I was happy that they got a happy ending but I couldn't really enjoy this ending because I was so confused by what was going on.

All in all I liked the kdrama. The chemistry was there, the acting was really good and the plot was amazing, at least for the first 8 episodes. The last few episodes and especially the last episode ruined this kdrama for me a little bit.

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oh that phone calls went into a different direction than i expected...

it started strong. compelling premise, intense and the fast-paced style made it more exciting. they always end an episode with a cliff-hanger that would make you want to watch the next episode immediately. but also with this pacing, i think other parts of the show lacked in depth and development. it got really over-the-top in the end there which feels fanfiction-y too in a way which is silly but fun. again, i had a fun time but overall, not as satisfying as i wanted it to be.

the whole phone call thing part between saeon and heejoo was probably the most exciting part of the whole drama. even though, we've seen some stupid moments during that, that was the sequences that made it engaging. i was really rooting for heejoo to play that mind games with saeon but it did not really went there. when that whole thing was over, the romance got intensified. and that intensity threw me off in the end. it just didn't feel right when those two barely know each other. if anything, he treated her so badly that heejoo should've made it worse for him during those phone calls lol except for a couple of flashbacks of them when they were kids, we did not really see much of the development of their relationship. next thing you know, they would literally die for each other. i'm not mad lol but that gave me a whiplash. that whole possesive/over protective thing thing too? oh the girlies are gonna eat that up. i just wish there was more development before all that.

if it's just romance, yuri and sangwoo are the ones that made me kick my feet in the air, you know? that hyper gf and calm bf dynamic who also investigates a case together. plus they are adorable and hot? hello, i want more!

acting-wise, no complaints here. yoo yeonseok? that man can act and has range. very happy for chae soobin getting this project too. i gotta say, the scenes between chae woojin who played dojae and saeon were the ones that really moved me emotionally and probably, one of my favorite moments too.

the villains are over-the-top. it got really wild and dramatic there in the end with the plot. it did bother me at times when they did those "what if" or "dreaming" sequences. oh he actually wasn't shot? oh. lol that's just for shock value. also, i think they could've done more with the selective mutism storyline but oh well.

anyway, it's not a favorite but a good time overall. now i wish there was a version where there's no romance or more like, the two only started falling in love while they're trying to catch the real killer and also, more push back from the female lead and phone calls where they play more mind games with each other lmao writers in fanfic community, do your thing.

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Good performances but laboured writing and overdone direction.

I really tried hard to talk up this drama, but it became increasingly hard and all my excuses eventually fell by the wayside. Compared to something like See You in My 19th Life, the plot held together reasonably well but was built around standard and somewhat tired tropes. The performances by the leads were good. You Yeon Seok did a good job of bringing subtlety to his tsundere character. And Heo Nam Jun as the villain, when he wasn’t being required to overact, was credible. But there’s the problem for you in a nutshell, the directing… the job of the director is to set the tone for the whole production, and direct the actors and cinematographer to harmonise with it. Here it was just too over the top. Melo on steroids.

It had the hallmarks of a 1920s silent film, grandiose gestures, limp women and stoic men, dramatic low camera angles and slow leaden footsteps at every opportunity.

The cost of overplaying things is that it fails to capture you and attach you to the story and the characters. The problem with overhyped dramatisation is that there is nowhere to go, no room to build, it’s full on from the get go, and bye bye subtlety. With the result that instead of being moved I’m always at the point of laughter.

To make it believable you have to follow through on a set up. Too often the characters would not do the obvious in order to prolong the plot. The result is a lot of eye rolling, sighing and FFS exclamations for the viewer. Completely cutting through any credibility, but much more seriously, any sympathy for the characters.

The pacing was sacrificed to an over-detailed explanatory style, leaking tension all over the place. It needed less words and more faster paced action to fulfil its role as a thriller. Frequent, unnecessary repetitions of scenes in the editing did not help either.

The performances were good, it’s a pity that the directing, writing and editing were so laboured.

What my rating means: 6+ Some aspects of it were OK but it had serious flaws. It will pass the time but you can find something better.

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