This review may contain spoilers
Why the phone calls turn into marriage counseling? i wanted a psychotic wife!! weird ending
There's not really any spoilers in this review but the last two episodes were weird just so you know. This drama has been a rollercoaster. I think a 7 is fair. Previously, I gave it a 6.5 but maybe I was too harsh. Despite the plot issues, I did find it decently entertaining to watch weekly.The first few episodes had me extremely interested. I generally like all the set pieces it has, like the enemies to lovers and the mysterious background. But it fell apart halfway through for me because I was personally expecting the FL to do some crazy stuff.
So here's the summary: Due to a childhood accident, FL became selectively mute.
FL gets kidnapped because she's the wife of the CEO ML and some guy really hates him. She steals the kidnapper's cell phone and starts threatening her husband with it that she wants a divorce. Then she didn't want a divorce. Then he found out she did it, and they talked on the phone, even though she was mute. But she's only occasionally mute and she thinks he doesn't know it's her on the kidnapper's cell phone. xD
Side characters: I felt like 2nd ML Ji sang U's(the YouTube investigator) storyline was implemented randomly throughout the show. You don't really see why he cares so much about the missing children until the end.
Glad the FL's sister wasn't annoying.
The actual romance: The leads' relationship was fake in the beginning. So, I found it hard to care about them actually wanting to reciprocate feelings. I continued watching it because it felt funny.
The acting is what made me keep watching. The male lead & the villain are really the soul of this drama (I totally didn't realize ML's the one who played Gu dong mae in Mr. Sunshine). This has got to be the most lighthearted role Choi Soo-bin has ever played. Just to repeat, the kidnapper was the best villain i've seen in a long time.
Episode 8- the mystery of ML's past /and what their parents have done has made the plot interesting again. I still can't get over how traumatized FL is that she thinks the situation is ok and his love makes it all better now. Lol.
Music- nothing memorable to me.
I still don't think this drama is worth 8.9 points. ml just runs away at the end to join a war in another country lol ???
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This review may contain spoilers
Never been let down hard enough to write a review
As an ardent k-drama fan for the last 10 years when I saw the trailers of When the Phone Rings i expected it to have everything I have come to expect from k-drama Mystery/Thriller Romances.The first 4 eps were one of the most promising starts i have seen to a show, which, convinced me to watch it while it was on air (when i'm the type to binge watch).
Where it went wrong:
=> The calls: in the first few calls there was tension, there was anger, there was suspense but after ep 4 they just turn into banter, and somehow Paik Sae On just keeps spilling things about his personal life and just turns dumb???
=> Paik Sae On: Yoo Yeon Seok is wonderful in the role, like most of his other works his acting is incredible, but the character was written in a very amateur manner, isn't his character a master negotiator who has certification from like the FBI, and isn't a negotiator's first task is to not show any emotion to the threats but somehow to 406 he keeps losing control, like I get it, you are worried about your wife but bro you are smarter than that.
=> Hong Hee Joo's talking: Hong Hee Joo's selective mutism was just utter bullshit, after one point she just started talking to anyone and everyone???!!!! like isn't that the first point in her character sketch. Her entire deal was to not talk to anyone and only talk to him on the burner phone. Honestly it would have been better to stretch that bit out a little more.
=> The emotional abuse: Paik Sae On literally abuses Hong Hee Joo for 3 years only to be forgiven in one dialogue. Like sis where is your self respect?? and she justifies it by saying that its okay as she also lied about not being able to talk. Did he give her the safety of talking about it... no... so did she have to tell him also... no.
=> The entire last ep: not required... the arden arc... the 2 billion won... the name change.... just no.
In my opinion the only smart and sane person here was Hong In-A cause she left when she realized what was going on, got herself fixed, came back to save her sister, asked her father to take action, and supported her sister when she was alone.
Never been this disappointed with a show that started this well.
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This review may contain spoilers
Turn your brain off and enjoy
This drama is super fun, if you set your suspension of disbelief at Max and come with your expectations in check.You may love this drama as much as I did (contentious finale included) if:
1. You like soap operas, trashy romance novels, and/or wattpad fanfics (or if you're old like me good ol' ff.net)
2. You love romantic thrillers with a high tolerance for makjang plot points
3. You love angsty desperate romances
4. You aren't nitpicky about the smaller details
You may not like this drama if:
1. You want a green flag ML, everyone is unhinged here do not expect normal people behaviour from pretty much anyone
2. You have a low tolerance for miscommunication (or the complete lack of communication)
3. You have a low tolerance for batshit plot twists
4. You hate the time skip/separation trope
As a makjang tropey romantic thriller this is great fun. Absolute junk food of a drama. Grab some popcorn and buckle up.
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An Overrated Balloon
This drama was decent, especially the first three episodes, but after that, it gradually declined. I got so bored while watching the episodes that I ended up watching almost all of them at 2x speed. I usually watch dramas at their normal speed, but this one was so slow that even with the gazes and music sped up, nothing was lost.Once the main mystery in the story disappeared, the drama's appeal faded even more. Character development and plot depth were very superficial.
I think it might be a nice and different drama for those who are new to Kdramas, but for people who have been watching dramas for a long time, especially since most of the characters were cliché.
The relationship between the main couple also progressed very quickly and without meaning. It was all over the place. Especially the last five episodes felt like a waste of time.
I like Yoo Yeon Seok, but I especially didn’t like his role here. However, you can still give it a chance and watch it.
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A bit less than expected but a great watch.
I'm a bit torn with how I feel about this kdrama, but it was good, not a big masterpiece, but definitely good.The story does lack in some aspects, mostly towards the end, where it sometimes felt like they didn't know what to do with the plot, or like they were trying to keep adding unnecessary things, but if you don't think too much about what goes on, you can look past that. They do give an explanation to everything even if it might not be too satisfactory.
Overall, I enjoyed it and I would recommend it as a quick and easy watch that, despite everything, is pretty entertaining. In my opinion, it has a good balance of romance and thrilling moments, and the actors were a great choice for this story, they knew how to convey the emotions and make you feel them as well, also their chemistry is amazing, so I will say it is worth watching (and not as bad as I might made it sound).
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Cliche melodrama
It was good from the start i must say. I waited for every episodes everyweek till episode 6. It was interesting to watch the relationship between both fl and ml. I thought there would be some depth in the story. Cause i watched dramas like this more than 10 years ago. So it was normal for me to expect something new and different. I agree ir was kinda different from the start. The episodes cliffhanger made me curious too. After 6th episode it was so hard to watch i just skipped all the parts . I still dont why it has so much hype. Like there's nothing other than the cast.It's totally my point of view. But if you're an old kdrama watcher i doubt that you will like this. Eventually new kdrama watchers won't like this too ig. I had hopes with this drama but umm this disappointed me specially the ending too.
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A love story out of wattpad, webnovels, and cliches
The first two eipsodes felt promising and after that all of a sudden it became a romance that justifies abuse of a neglect husband and the reason why he has ingnored his wife is given in later episodes and it was really awful.The romantic scenes and love/ romance story part of this drama are just like the typical webnovels and wattpad ArrogantCEOXInnocent wife theme. While certain scenes are mixture of thriller dramas consisting of abnormal parents and family secrets.
The drama is at the most one time watch, if you don't mind cliche but this drama doesn't fall in 8.9 cateogry lol. The story isn't unqiue at all, the unique part was long gone at episode 2, after that this drama is mess of all kinds of stories. It's like drama is struggling to identify itself as a thriller or a romance.
The romance is a typical innocent female lead who somehow rescued by a cold man who only has heart for her. And the thriller is even worse, the ML in so many instances had the chance of knowing the culprit, but it took him long enough and FL is so dumb at many times and could be easily caught but isn't due to plot armour.
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You don't want to miss out on this drama, don't let the woke stop you!
Picture this: second chances, love, drama, and a dash of thriller all blended into one tantalizing concoction.When the Phone Rings serves up everything it promises, keeping you on the edge of your seat with each episode.
The soundtrack? It’s like the cherry on top of a sundae, perfectly enhancing every scene.
The characters? They’re acted to perfection, and you can’t help but cheer for them as they navigate their tumultuous lives.
Their struggles make the eventual payoff all the more satisfying. I almost found myself sympathizing with the villain—how’s that for a plot twist? That’s the magic of great storytelling, pulling you into the depths of even the darkest characters.
Oh, the character growth was so good, especially with Hong Hee Joo! She starts off as this gentle, comforting figure and then BAM! She morphs into a bold, fiery woman who knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to snatch it up. No more Ms.. Nice Girl—she’s ready to take on anyone who dares to cross her! Watching her journey is like binge-watching a rollercoaster ride. And Baek Sa Eon? He’s going through the wringer but comes out the other side like a phoenix, ready to embrace his happy ending.
When the phone rings did toss in lots of cliché moments, but honestly, THAT'S THE POINT. They were like the necessary seasoning in a dish—essential for the overall flavor and message of the drama. Anyone going into this trying to make it deep or start wars over fictional countries are so dumb.
This drama was so much fun to watch. I gave it a solid 10/10 and plan on rewatching soon. But thanks to the woke brigade, it feels like we can’t just kick back, relax and enjoy dramas anymore. The comments section is a mess and bots / fake accounts keep leaving 1 star reviews to tank the ratings while also downvoting others. It's honestly laughable the lengths they go to, before they channel this same energy for other actors are still getting hired even though they have been perpetrators and committed serious offenses and violent crimes or worse. They are ridiculous... I bet some of these kids don't even put even a smidge of this same energy into their schoolwork 🤡
Seriously, these keyboard warriors need to step outside and get a whiff of reality. All this performative activism for what? I’d wager most of them haven’t even donated any money much less a can of soup for those in need.
Don't pay any attention to the woke. These psychotic dumbos are in for a rude awakening! LOL.
Anywho, grab some popcorn, kick your feet up and dive into this drama without letting the haters rain on your parade. You will not regret it. It's so delicious! The chemistry is a 1000/10.
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When the Phone Rings: A Promising Start Derailed by Confusing Plot Twists and a Chaotic Finale
When the Phone Rings is a K-drama that begins with a promising premise but quickly loses its way, leaving viewers confused and unsatisfied. I’d rate it a 5.5 out of 10 because while it had potential, it failed to deliver on multiple levels. The first few episodes were genuinely engaging, with an intriguing mystery surrounding the strange calls and their connection to the characters’ pasts. The cinematography was solid, and the pacing was tight in the beginning, keeping the audience hooked. However, as the episodes progressed, the narrative became increasingly convoluted. Instead of providing answers, it piled on more subplots and cryptic hints that ultimately led nowhere.The last episode deserves a special mention—mostly for how bewildering it was. The supposed “resolution” felt more like a rushed, incoherent mess than a proper conclusion. The introduction of Zinoism, a fictional philosophy that claimed to bridge destiny and free will, felt like a last-minute addition meant to seem profound. However, it was poorly explained and failed to connect to the broader story. Paik Sa Eon’s decision to go to war was one of the most baffling plot points. Why would a character who had been portrayed as someone trying to escape violence suddenly decide to become a martyr in a conflict that was barely explained? The show’s attempt to make this a symbolic act of “freedom from fate” felt forced and unearned, leaving viewers scratching their heads.
Overall, When the Phone Rings is an example of a series that started strong but suffered from poor writing, a lack of coherent storytelling, and overly ambitious themes that it couldn’t execute well.
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This review may contain spoilers
Two wounded hearts heal each other: Shattering the chains.
When the Phone Rings tells the story a married Couple, Paik Sa Eon and Hong Hee Joo, whose marriage was arranged by their families. You can call their marriage a political one. Paik Sa Eon comes from a prestigious family, a family of politicians, he's also the presidential spokesperson of Korea, the youngest ever. Hong Hee Joo is the second daughter of Chungwoon Daily, a media corporation. Their marriage is icy and strained with minimal communication. However, when Hui Ju is abducted, the feelings that's been kept hidden surfaced, changing their lives and relationship.Personally, I think Paik Sa Eon and Hong Hee Joo are each other's destiny. Why? Here's are the reasons: Paik Sa Eon comes from a respectable family, but he didn't get to feel any warnmt from his parents, or shall I say his fake parents? It's scheming all day long. He's nothing but a tool for his parents to gain power. Plus, he's not even his parents real child, they only value him because of the glory he brings the family. Hong Hee Joo on the other hand situation is also similar, she's forced by her mother to keep silent, not uttering a word for years. She's forced to pretend she couldn't speak even though she could. There's a difference between not wanting to, can't, and being forced to not. Being forced into something is the worst experience. These two have suffered greatly because of their families, they are two wounded hearts who healed each other and brought meaning into each other's lives. Previously, they're living a life without warmth, a life without a confidant, but these all changed with their marriage. An arranged marriage turned into happiness for them, it provided them what they both could call a home. I love how their relationship developed rapidly into a happy union. More importantly, I loved how they healed each other.
Just how much can a person's past, family secrets, and family sins become the shackles of your present? This drama digs deep into that. I loved it precisely because of that.
When this drama started, I thought Paik Sa Eon didn't have feelings for Hee Joo and that he'll only develop feelings for her afterwards, but I got it all wrong, they both had feelings for each other. To my surprise, Sa Eon fell for Hee Joo long before their arranged marriage. Just as their relationship was getting better after the failed abduction of Hee Joo, the shackles of the past comes in. I guess that's why they say, for every action, there's a consequence". However, Sa Eon and Hee Joo weren't suffering the consequences of their wrong decisions but from their parents. Sometimes I do wonder why the innocents are the one's who usually bear the sufferings of the sinners, it's not fair. It's clearly their family who committed the sin but they are being tormented for what they were dragged into because they were born into the wrong family. Their family that were supposed to be a support, a home to go back to became the chains that bind them. People make many choices in this world, but the one thing we don't get to choose is our family. Many would have chosen their parents in a heartbeat, but sadly, humans are not given such a chance.
When Paik Sa Eon's fake mother said, "I want you to feel the same pain your father made me feel". A lot of thoughts came to mind, thoughts in form of questions, questions without answers. "Why should he bear the sins of his father? He's not his father, is he? So, why must he bear his sins, even though he's a different person from his father"? After all those questions, I came to realize one thing, and that's the fact that people will always try to pin what's not yours on you, what's left is for you to not admit and take responsibility for what you did not do.
That siad. I really have to hand it out to Yoon Yeo Seok and Chae Soo Bin for their awesome acting and natural chemistry, they had me hooked almost throughout the episodes.
The first drama that made me liked Yoon Yeo Seok was Hospital Playlist, he left an impression on me with that drama. As for Chae Soo Bin, I haven't really watched anything of her until I watched When the Phone Rings. She is indeed a great and awesome actress like many say. At first, I wasn't sure the pairing would work, plus, I'm not really a fan of "older man/younger man" stuff, however, the chemistry of the FL and ML really surprised me. This is one of the few dramas in which the leads chemistry really amazed me. A massive applause to these two wonderful actors (Chae Soo Bin and Yoon Yeo Soek) for their captivating performance.
But of course, that's goes without saying, the performance of the whole casts.
Are there scenes I loved the most? Of course, there are, too many that I can't mention them all, but I'll mention some. Generally, I'd say I loved the times of "406" more, why? It's because during those parts, there were excitements, angst, and anticipations. The three scenes I loved the most during the 406 era were when Hong Hee Joo fell off a cliff and she called Pail Sa Eon for help with 406, that scene showed just how much he loves her, and how far he's willing to go for her. It's really good to see the care he has for her. It's a rare affection if you're to ask me. Another one is when Hui Ju called Paik Sa Eon with 406 again when she's in the hospital, when Paik Sa Eon said, "are you pretty? And Hee Joo replied with does it matter to you whether the person threatening you is pretty or not?" That scene made me laugh sooo hard. Lastly, the scene I loved the most is when Hee Joo finally confessed to Paik Sa Eon that she's 406, that scene cleared up a lot of misunderstandings. They finally mended their relationship after three years. "406", a number that's supposed to orchestrate their divorce became what made their marriage stronger, I loved how "evil turned into a blessing" for them 💞
I also loved the OSTs, especially See the Light by Lim Hyun Sik and Numb by Lim Yeon!
As for the ending. Indeed, the last four episodes were very confusing. It's as if it's a different writer who wrote those last four episodes. The plot was all over the place. I had to rewatch those episodes before I could get a grasp of what was going. And even though I did get a grasp of what was going on, I couldn't really figure out what happened in those episodes, even though I rewatched them. Also, what's with the charity thing? Plus, how did Paik Sa Eon end up in that terrorist zone? Hagan, was it? I don't even recall.
The most annoying part is how the romance of the second leads came out of the blue. There were no scenes of how they became a couple, nor were there any scenes of Ji Sang U's proposal to Na Yu Ri. Thinking about all those anomalies really makes me mad. Plus, as second leads, Heo Nam Jun and Jang Yu Ri had less screentime than the supporting roles. Although I loved this drama, I can't help but point out where it lacks.
However, even though it had all those anomalies, I loved the fact that Paik Sa Eon and Hong Hee Joo got their happy ending. More importantly, the fact that they're able to break the chains and overcome many trials and dangers together, hand in hand. Although they got separated for some time, but the result still turned out great. I also loved the fact that the villains received their well deserved punishment, although I still think Paik Eui Yeong didn't receive his well due punishment, but, I'll not go further on that.
Is When the Phone Rings plot new? No? But if you're to ask me, "is when the Phone Rings interesting and captivating despite all its anomalies?", I'd answer with a big YES! It's a captivating drama.
If you're looking for an interesting mystery/romance drama, this one is the right pick for you. You won't get bored,at least, not until you reach the last four episodes. It's a drama that'll keep you glued to your screen. Now I'm not saying it's a perfect drama, like I said above, it has its flaws, but above those flaws are its merits.
In a nutshell, When the Phone Rings has come and go, but it left a strong impression on me and many, so strong we start to think, "what to watch after this?" It's a drama that'll live on in our hearts for long time. Speaking of top notch acting, natural chemistry, family plots, dark secrets, mystery, emotional rollercoaster, and romance, When the Phone Rings has all these. After much thoughts, considering all its merits with its flaws, I decided to rate it 8.5/10
Finally, to all When the Phone Rings watchers and MDL users, I wish you a Happy New Year 🎊🎊🥂
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It was close
I really enjoyed this series and waited each week for new episodes to release. The actors did their job well, the story was engaging and had some unexpected plot twists. The last episode was a bit of a letdown for me. It felt very cheesy and forgettable. It felt like 2014 daytime TV. I honestly preferred their relationship earlier in the series. Overall, I don’t think the show was a waste of time, but I do wish it had more of a serious undertone.To add more to the review, I thought not only the main actors did well, but I thought the actors playing the parents did a great job. Maybe better than the main pair. I thought Chae Soo-bin could have done better; or maybe it was just the writing or directing of her character Hong Hee-joo; it felt very one-dimensional, even with the very clearly two-dimensional portrayal according to the storyline.
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This review may contain spoilers
the plot sucks
The plot is built with several levels of complexity, opening many possible doors for the story to develop. But in the end, there are so many doors that got tangled up. A weak story, with 12 episodes that could have been only 8. The main male character starts off with bad and self-centered behavior and later claims that he was like that to defend the female protagonist, but this is done in such an inconsistent way that it seems like a comedy. Don't get me wrong, the actors carried the story, both the main and supporting ones, but the story was poorly written, purposeless, disorganized and shallow.Was this review helpful to you?
