loved this drama
Well until I got to episode 12 and then it all went a bit.... well... strange.But still, this drama had it all, the crazy back story, suspense and action and then this really interesting love story. I just totally hooked on this drama so despite what happened in episode 12 I would recommend watching it
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The ending killed the show.
What’s up ending the drama series with him disappearing to a war torn country called Argan and her finding him as he liked to look at sunsets! It did not make sense… there are so many ways to end this drama.. and this is really nonsensical. The buildup was excellent but the ending was a complete letdown. This is my personal opinion.Was this review helpful to you?
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Love it!
This was one of my favorite shows ever. I know there has been a lot of controversies regarding the last episodes but I genuinely believe that Netflix mistranslated the subtitles. While I agree that even if it was mistranslated, it wasn’t necessary to involved those two countries, I do want to give the writers the benefit of the doubt that it was well intended. It could have been executed a lot better.All that aside, while the last episode was wild I truly did enjoy it and loved the whole series. The actors, cast and crew did an amazing job. The styling was perfect too. I haven’t had a drama made me feel this way like at all and I’ve been watching kdramas since I was 6, and I’m 25 now. I also don’t rewatch shows but I’ve already started rewatching this.
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1When the daddy turns dad, and the thriller turns makjang.
I went into this drama for the most shallow reason ever - Yoo Yeon Seok looked extremely hot in the trailers being all possessive and domineering. And since that was my only expectation, I’d say the drama did not quite meet it. It gave me other things to enjoy though.Was it a fun watch? For most of it. The middle part became a bit too repetitive, and the ending went straight to fancy makjang territory. Some twists were more predictable than others, but overall it was a rather engaging watch. Did the plot make much sense? Not really. I mean, the majority of the characters did not even have half of the working brain cell and watching them making the wrong decisions over and over again, and being so painfully blind to the most obvious things was probably one of the most entertaining aspects of the whole drama.
On the top of that clownery we have Baek Sa Eon - for a smart guy he was really dumb. Did I care? Nope. Why? Because he was hot. Yes, that was my reasoning. Baek Sa Eon during the first few episodes was THE hot possessive toxic oppa and for that I am grateful. Whenever he went just the right amount of unhinged when something concerned Hui Ju, I went - yes! The angst, the low-key anger issues, the suits and them hands (the production team knew what they were doing with all the close ups of his hands). Exactly the guy you love to watch on the screen, and would avoid in real life. And then he did 180 in the second half and I became convinced that the perfect husband was cosplaying as toxic oppa.
Hong Hui Ju was honestly a placeholder. She had a few great moments here and there, but at the end of it all, she was just an overcooked potato. Which is fair - with the amount of trauma and abuse she went through, if she had more of a spine, she would leave. Since she stayed, we should not be expecting her to give us much spunk. Being in danger was her full time job, and saving her was Sa Eon’s life mission.
Surprisingly, the characters I got really attached to were Sang U and Yu Ri. The investigative duo with such fun chemistry. Waiting for Netflix to contact me, because I have the plot for the spin off of them already planned in my head. The way he became so conscious of her presence, and she was so oblivious about it all is my type of a connection.
The villains were villaining, but they were also so generic I did not really care for their shenanigans. So much happened plot wise, and yet it kind of still feels empty? When the Phone Rings had an extremely strong beginning, and lost its focus half way through. The issue might have been how packed the plot was -, they did not really have time to explore on a meaningful level any of the plotlines. One thing happened, and we moved to another thing - nothing felt developed, nothing had a proper closure. All had a closer, but none truly had THE closure.
Performances were mostly great. Yoo Yeon Seok aced that silent anger and concern. Whatever scene he was in, he delivered. On the other hand Chae Soo Bin… I know she is a great actress. I loved her in all the previous titles I have seen her in, but this role was just not it. Would I dare to blame the directing? Yes. Even though I thought the drama went downhill in the second half, her performance got so much better. First few episodes she was just a surprised big eyes victim with no facial muscles working.
Production was fine. As I already said, I'm grateful for the close-up shots of Yoo Yeon Seok’s hands. Some of the editing was questionable - too much repetition of what happened in the previous episodes - the viewers do not have goldfish brains like the characters, we do not need constant reminders.
Overall, what I thought would be a fun wattpad-esk romance with an entertaining dynamic between Sa Eon and Hui Ju, turned into a family mystery makjang with low level of brain energy. Still had fun though.
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The most stupidest ending
There are 2 versions of me: before I watched episode 12, and after.First let me start of by saying that ep 1 - 11 were genuinely very good episodes. They were interesting, fast past, the leads had chemistry. Nothing felt out of place or like it was just for filler.
The problem with this drama was ep 12. The controversy was ofc so unnecessary and dumb but I digress, even the plot of the episode is stupid, so let's get into that.
Lets start with the fact that the episode prior Sa Eon was saying that the thought of not knowing if his wife was dead or alive was torturous and it was killing him blah blah blah, he THEN proceeds to just disappear and makes his wife go through the same thing he just did. AND on top of that he also spent the prior episode regretting that he didn't communicate with his wife enough and they lost so much time, only to... yep you guessed it - abandon her and waste even more time. What a great husband. And you dear reader must be thinking. huh, I wonder what valuable piece of information he learned that caused him to leave everything he's ever known and move to a war torn country. Well let me enlighten you: it was something she already knew and didn't have a problem with. So really it was all pointless.
But now left move on to the actual episode because it doesn't end there. So we learn that he has moved to a war torn country because he really loved the sunsets there (or some BS like that), and hee joo decides she's gonna go to the place were he would watch them - oh except she can't, because it's been occupied by the rebels. But that actually doesn't matter cause she decides to go anyway. Now the whole point of this trip is to find Sa Eon, so why would she think that her husband would go to a place that's so obviously dangerous?????? But guess what she's actually right, because after she gets captured by rebels, Sa Eon ends up saving her, because for some reason he's there saving people (I don't know).
And at last the two are reunited, only narrowly escaping the close hot breath of death. So what do they decide to in this incredibly tense and dangerous situation? You guessed again reader: fight! and not even like a harsh whispering fight, they're full on yelling and crying and mind you there are literal rebel cars going past them as this is happening and I just can't help but think: are you guys stupid. This is all so incredibly stupid. In fact, I think this is the stupidest thing I've every seen.
Anyway in the end they get married (again) and this have cringy scene where they're all having dinner and everything is all right and then nothing more happens cause the show ends, and I closed netflix, opened a new tab, wrote kisskh and shared with you all just how much of a waste of time this was.
So thank you for reading, and if you also didn't like it, let me know, because TRUST, I want to hear it.
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Good!
The drama When the Phone Rings, released in 2024, presents an interesting plot, but one filled with tropes. The story follows Baek San Eon, the spokesperson for the President of South Korea, and Hong Hee Joo, a sign language interpreter, who have been married for three years. However, their marriage is not traditional, as it is the result of a convenience agreement between their families, leading to a distant and cold relationship. The story takes a dramatic turn when Hee Joo is kidnapped, triggering significant changes in their lives and relationships.POSITIVES:
1. The premise of the script is extremely captivating, as it combines elements of drama, romance, and suspense in an engaging way. With each episode, we are taken through a whirlwind of emotions and mysteries, keeping us hooked to the plot as we seek to understand the events shaping the story, especially the connections between the characters and the secrets that have bound them together from the very beginning. This careful and mysterious development of the ties between the characters keeps us constantly intrigued to see how the story will unfold.
2. This was my first experience watching a drama with a character who uses sign language. I found it extremely important to portray, as it addresses issues of inclusion and accessibility, helping the audience better understand this reality.
3. The chemistry and interaction between Baek San Eon and Hee Joo. It is clear to feel the characters' emotional expressions through their kisses, glances, and dialogues. Their relationship, although initially cold, begins to develop as both characters are forced to confront the traumas of their past and the realities of their present. The chemistry between them is visibly tense and complex, but as the circumstances bring them closer, a new level of understanding and connection emerges.
4. The OST is simply beautiful, I loved it, and I realized it played a crucial role in shaping the emotional atmosphere of the story.
CONTROVERSIES:
In my opinion, some elements of the plot were quite controversial.
1. The relationship between Hee Joo and her mother. In the beginning, the mother is shown to be cruel and cold towards her daughter, even interfering with her dreams. However, by the end, she displays a completely different attitude, and I couldn’t find a convincing explanation for this abrupt change.
2. The scenes of the fight between Park Do Jae and the kidnapper are unrealistic. Considering the amount of abuse Park Do Jae endured, he should, at the very least, have been seriously injured or even died, but in the following scenes, he appears in good condition, despite all the violence.
3. Now, the biggest controversy, in my opinion, was episode 12. I truly felt that there was a significant break in the narrative continuity compared to the previous episodes. I couldn't understand why Baek stayed away from Hee Joo for six months as a form of punishment after discovering that his father was responsible for the death of Hee Joo’s brother. Think about it: they fought so hard to be together, endured so many challenges and suffering, only for him to suddenly disappear without even offering an explanation, leaving her even more distressed. This seemed like a narrative choice that, to me, had no plausible justification.
OVERALL VIEW:
Overall, I found "When The Phone Rings" to be a good drama, rating it 8.5, as it managed to capture my attention despite some tropes and controversies throughout the plot. The story is engaging, exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and personal challenges, with characters who, although they go through predictable situations at times, were still enjoyable to follow.
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The best drama of 2024
First of all i like to appreciate the acting of the leads and all the supporting cast. Yoo yeon seok and chae sobin gave their best acting in their career. So good the sign language specially. Rest of the cast second leads, office staff, villain and parents all acted so well.Story/production/screenplay/direction: the story is so enticing and captivating there is zero filler scene in this drama. Every episode feels like a roller coaster ride and a whole film. So many emotion are shown in single episode. The production of the drama is top notch. From the styling to the outfits every thing is outclass .
Chemistry: this is the best chemistry i have seen between the leads in any k drama. Even the behind the scene of this drama are trending because of their chemistry. All the kiss and hugs scene are so good and natural.
Ps the OST Are so good specially see the light is so amzaing is already in billboard global top 10. And the song sung by yoo yeon seok himself is just cherry on the top. He is so talented.
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The best kdrama in 2024.
The best kdrama in 2024.I love actors performance also the story is new and good. It is one of the best kdrama I have seen so far. I appricate all lead actors cha soobin and yoo yean seok for their best acting and also all sapporting actors for acting as well. I waited every week for coming episods . I really loved their chemistry . This drama hooked me frome the begining. The ending was rushed but still a great watch. I was amazed by how captivating this drama was the every first episode. YYS and CSB definetly deseve the 3 awards. This drama recieved a too exellent actor and exellent actress and a best couple awards in MBC awards 2024. I love how the dtama kept me emotionally engaged with moments of tension , every scene is well crafted , the actors brought the characters to life, they had such and beautiful commanding presence the actors.Was this review helpful to you?
Came for the cast, stayed for the chemistry ❤️?
Some dramas have a way of keeping you tethered, even when you’re navigating the agony of waiting for weekly episode drops—and 지금 거신 전화는 managed that rare feat. Its pacing was consistently commendable, which is no small achievement in a world of binge-friendly storytelling. However, similar to the likes of Marry My Husband (for those who have seen it), the drama couldn’t resist a detour into illogical territory as it neared its finale. Episode 12’s “Argan” trope? Let’s just say it stretched the limits of suspension of disbelief—enough to make me pause mid-episode and chuckle at its absurdity.But if logic faltered, chemistry soared. Yoo Yeon-seok as Baek Sa-eon and Chae Soo-bin as Hong Hee-joo didn’t just sell their characters’ connection—they redefined it, giving us a portrayal of husband and wife dynamics that felt fresh and heart-fluttering in the best way. While both leads were exceptional, Yoo Yeon-seok’s performance truly took the cake. Every expression was intricate, every emotional beat carefully measured—he gave his all to playing Baek Sa-eon, elevating the character into something unforgettable.
That said, the finale left me with mixed feelings. On one hand, I appreciated that all the characters, including Heo Nam-jun’s Ji Sang-u and Jang Gyu-ri’s Na Yu-ri, got closure. On the other, the overly soapy tone of the final episodes dampened the emotional resonance the show had built up until then. Still, the ending wasn’t unsatisfying—just not quite the finish I was hoping for.
The OST deserves a special mention, as it beautifully underscored the series’ emotional beats and has firmly earned its spot on my repeat playlist. And while all the characters delivered solid performances, it’s clear the writer poured the most effort into crafting scenes between Yoo Yeon-seok and Chae Soo-bin. Thankfully, this worked in the drama’s favor, as their interactions were undeniably the highlight.
Overall, I’d say this drama is an 8/10 for me. If I were rating it solely on the electrifying chemistry between the leads, it’d be a solid 9.5. But the last two episodes—and their logic-defying moments—bring it down a notch. Still, 8 feels pretty generous, considering!
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so good so far
I’m only on episode 2 and I’m addicted. the plot and the plot twists are really good. the casting is great Aswell the chemistry is there. I love the plotline romance meets mystery meets action. this popped up on my Netflix and I added it to my watchlist and started watching it last night. it’s great so far and I love it. the acting is great and I personally love romance/action plotlines especially in kdramas. there are 12 episodes in total and I can’t wait to watch all of them. for some reason the setting reminds of penthouse- it could just be me but it gives that vibe.Was this review helpful to you?
WHEN YOUR HEART RINGS
Delivered everything it promises. Mystery, thriller, drama & romance 💯 EVERYTHING was delivered with a dash of TOP TIER acting & smashing hot chemistry between the leads.Started off as a surprise pull of audience tagging it as wattpad coded (I did that too) soon to be turned into a melo drama and absolute madness of chemistry between the lead pair. Production had flaws which became a disaster in the last episode tbh and there's no 2 ways about it that it wasn't needed at all...
One of the rare 12 episodes drama that needed a 4 more episodes to satisfy the ending plot line but I have no complaints.
I enjoyed Yoo Yeon Seok as Sa Eon & Chae Soo Bin as Hong Heeju and will forever cherish them as Saju couple. Thank you for your services.
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Answer it!
I decided to watch this out of the blue as I heard mostly good things about it and I am glad I did. I don't usually watch thriller or suspense drama tags but I personally found that the storyline evened those scenes out well for a mainly romance watcher like me.I think that the ML and FL had fantastic chemistry and were just generally stellar, they had me pulled into the drama in the first episode. Their love story is very interesting as it was uncovering and realizing a hidden love that they already had for one another (not related to school life or years of separation), I haven't seen a drama focus on a love story like that before so it was very intriguing.
PROS: well as mentioned great chemistry and acting, I liked the OST (Yeon Seok's Say My Name is very pretty), I think it presents strong moral value - love overcomes past mistakes, giving second chances and choosing forgiveness over living in the past. I was never bored, held my attention all the way through.
CONS: I didn't love the ending for the second couple, I felt their love story was too rushed instead of showing a proper love confession and proposal. They were very cute so I was disappointed we didn't get a bit more for them. The most controversial thing I heard before watching this drama was that the last episode was disappointing. I agree it could have been tied up better and was a little unnecessary but I wasn't utterly disappointed in it. Could've been better but I will still take it.
All in all, a striking story and enjoyable watch
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