Another drama that a serial killer killed
They should’ve scrapped the unnecessary sociopathic serial killer mess and made the story about him, her and the phone.Two people living together in silence and apathy until the phone rings. What starts off as threatening phone calls grows into a shared connection. They spend their nights talking and sharing everything with each other on the phone. He falls for her without realizing and she falls for him but has to pretend to be indifferent.
And the mystery (for him) is who is the caller?
Wouldn’t have minded a whole drama with him running around trying to find the caller and pretending not to know it’s her once he does to keep the calls coming.
It also would’ve fixed the issue of him “having feelings for her for 20 years” and never learning sign language🤷🏾♀️ because in my version, there was no childhood connection or secret feelings and they really were strangers in a contract marriage.
The side plot would’ve focused on the abuse she faced in her family.
But as it stands, with the story we got…I’m gonna give it a 7/10
And that’s me being kind cause the last 2 episodes were absolute shit from a butt (and the mystery was nonsensical trash)
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Love or Obsession? Unpacking the Complexities of "Drama When Phone Rings"
"Drama When Phone Rings" delves into the haunting dynamics of a marriage where love—if it can even be called that—lurks in silence for years, only to surface under extreme and desperate circumstances. The drama portrays a husband who claims to have loved his wife all along but failed to express it for three years, leaving viewers to question whether his so-called love is genuine or merely an unhealthy obsession.True love involves action, care, and a willingness to nurture a relationship. The husband’s three years of indifference show none of these qualities. Despite his alleged feelings, he made no effort to communicate, to make his wife feel valued, or to work on their marriage. This lack of effort and engagement suggests that his "love" might not be as pure as it seems. Genuine love inspires vulnerability and a desire to connect, but his behavior implies emotional apathy—or worse, a controlling mindset where he doesn’t feel the need to prove or share his affection.
When his wife pretends to be a kidnapper, it is a desperate act of seeking validation in a marriage that has emotionally starved her. His sudden change of heart and willingness to show affection only after this dramatic plea feels reactive and superficial. It raises an unsettling question: is this really love, or is it his obsession with possession, control, or the idea of his wife, rather than her as a person?
Obsession often masquerades as love, but it is fundamentally self-centered. It is more about holding onto someone than genuinely caring for their happiness or well-being. The husband’s years of emotional neglect, coupled with his delayed response only when provoked, make it hard to see his feelings as anything more than a possessive obsession. His actions don’t stem from a realization of her worth but from the fear of losing her—a response driven by his ego rather than true affection.
The wife’s decision to stay or accept his newfound love is equally complicated. Should she trust that his feelings are real, or should she recognize that his "love" is contingent on her begging for it? The drama challenges viewers to grapple with these dilemmas, ultimately leaving a sour aftertaste. It underscores the painful reality of relationships built on unbalanced emotional investments and the danger of confusing obsession with love.
In the end, "Drama When Phone Rings" serves as a cautionary tale about the need for communication, emotional honesty, and mutual effort in love. It leaves viewers questioning the husband’s motives, the wife’s choice, and whether a relationship like this is even worth saving.
While "Drama When Phone Rings" initially presents the husband’s actions as self-centered and emotionally neglectful, the later episodes reveal a more nuanced and heartfelt progression in his character. As the layers of their complex marriage unfold, it becomes evident that the husband’s previous indifference was not due to a lack of love but rather his own inability to express it. His genuine feelings, though buried under years of silence, begin to surface as the couple confronts their emotional wounds. His decision to respond with patience, kindness, and understanding, especially when learning about his wife’s desperate actions, marks a significant turning point in the story. Instead of reacting with anger or resentment, he chooses empathy, offering forgiveness and demonstrating the true depth of his love.
Similarly, the wife’s journey is just as transformative. Initially, she sought validation in desperate, misguided ways, but as she sees her husband’s true efforts and love, she begins to open herself up in ways that weren’t possible before. Her willingness to accept his vulnerabilities, even when she uncovers his own secret, highlights the growth of their relationship. The drama beautifully portrays how both characters, once emotionally distant and guarded, find strength in their mutual support and understanding. They both accept each other’s flaws, fostering an environment where trust and emotional honesty can finally flourish.
The couple’s shared vulnerability becomes the cornerstone of their evolving relationship. While the drama started with an unsettling question of obsession versus love, it ultimately leads to a more hopeful message: love can be redefined, even after years of neglect, if both partners are willing to face their fears, be vulnerable, and rebuild their emotional connection. The husband’s and wife’s journey toward mutual support and acceptance not only heals their individual wounds but also lays the foundation for a more balanced, loving partnership.
"Drama When Phone Rings" ultimately celebrates the power of communication, emotional growth, and mutual care, showing that love can be rediscovered, even in the most challenging circumstances. Both characters, in accepting each other’s secrets and supporting one another’s growth, prove that a strong, loving relationship is built on the willingness to understand, forgive, and evolve together.
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No Drama, Just Thriller (with Makjang Ending)
The overall storyline is good. The pace of the story is quite fast, you can enjoy it since the very first episode. The pace picked up a bit after the phone stops ringing, but you may not notice it since it does not have much difference. You will enjoy more thriller in this show. At first I thought we will get a lot of heartbreaks since Sa-Eon statement about "Call me when there is corpse". I was wrong then. The romance is pretty straightforward, no need any painful flavor of faded or unexpressed love (at least until last episode). The thriller itself does a great job, since I saw a lot of theories appeared prior the airing of each episodes. The return of In-A successfully misleads a lot of audience, since she becomes the first person to side with the main leads. Both lead actors have a quite exceptional performance in this show. Soo-Bin does an excellent job potraying a fragile and vulnerable Hui-Ju, while Yeon-Seok potrays a stiff and strict bureaucrat who doesn't know anything about love and how to love.Good storyline does not mean it is flawless. Na Yu-Ri does not get a good purpose for second lead, only to complete a second lead love puzzle. On the other hand, it is a bit weird that Sa-Eon keeps allowing Hui-Ju to use the burner phone, even after knowing that it is her behind the blackmails. Sa-Eon is a government negotiatior after all, he must have experience dealing with some threats against the country. However, he somehow fails to notice that the phone maybe hacked or tracked (which is logically, highly possible). On the other hand, I also feel that the killer does not have a really good motive to carry out all of his actions. When Sa-Eon confronts him regarding what he wants, he does not have a clear answer but "I want you to feel the same pain". This makes the killer sounds like a maniac psychopath. However if he is really a psychopath, why it takes so long for him to do this? I get it that he has tried to threaten Sa-Eon earlier, but why suddenly his threats become more successful (even off Do-Jae's plan)? Also the severity of threats those are addressed directly to Hui-Ju is somewhat more dangerous than his threats against his "other enemies", which makes him looks like just crazy about Hui-Ju. There are a lot of bloopers too (shoes, clothes altered, etc). But the biggest one is during the crash scene, Il-Gyeong arrives with her wife and In-A in a car. How is this possible because her wife doesn't follow him to the Memorial Park? AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, PLEASE EXPLAIN HOW SA-EON SURVIVES THE SHOT! IT IS A DAMN SHOTGUN FIRED FROM A VERY CLOSE RANGE!!! The last two episodes look like a spectacular show from the main leads with extreme pace and a bit confusing timeline, and more likely just a fanservice. To me, the last two episodes are total chaos.
I learned from Tiktok that this show reproduces a lot of scenes from Queen of Tears. I was on Episode 6 when I know it, and I did not notice it initially. As I was progressing throughout the new episodes, I began to see it, and I feel they take too much similar scenes (Sa-Eon searching for Hee-Ju in the woods, car chase scene with Sang-U, Sa-Eon first lines when he wakes up at the hospital, and some other scenes that I may have forgotten). This drama also makes QoT ending doesn't look very bad. Unfortunately, they don't mimic the strategy of soundtrack placement from QoT.
I still recommend this show. It has an enjoyable thriller, with additional sufficient romance. Yes the story quality has dropped a bit after Episode 10, maybe they actually deserve more episodes to explain everything. But hey, at least there isn't any super-uneccessary conflicts towards the end of the show. I would like to give a solid 9 previously, but the messed up final two episodes and excessive number of bloopers make me rethink about it.
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Dysfunctional marriage with all the kisses
No major spoilers:That is so satisying. When The Phone Rings' premise needs a LOT of suspension of disbelief...but who cares right? Those kisses(omg!) alone make it all worth it. We get a delicious male lead, a heroine we can root for, an 'it's complicated' marriage in the midst of it all, with a bit of psycho killer mystery and endless taboo family secrets thrown in.
Yoo Yeon Seok's looks are not typically what I go for as male lead, but he is amazing as Paik Sa Eon, who is the epitome of what all kfangirls go weak for---dashing 24x7 in a suit, each strand of hair meticulously arranged, so competent, ruthless, and unbothered, until you threaten his wife (yup, the one he's supposed not to care for). Then he goes all bonkers. Chae Soo Bin equally embodies vulnerable yet strong-willed Hong Hee Ju well, whose life has all been about sacrifices because of her selfish mother.
Someone likened this couple to the Flower of Evil dynamic, and I see the likeness. There's something delectable about watching a dysfunctional marriage, where they clearly care about each other, but all the secrets and miscommunications are on the way.
Spoilers
Where else can you see a distant couple who can only communicate their deepest secrets and repressed feelings behind a kidnapper's burner phone? Where a wife blackmails her husband to divorce her for 20 billion won?
I like it that Paik Sa Eon doesn't dwell too much on his hurt on Hee Ju's betrayal, he knows he wronged her a lot too, and he understood right away the reasonings behind her actions. Oftentimes it's easier to communicate behind the phone, things we cannot tell the other in person, and it was wondrous to see these two slowly fall more for each other as they open up their feelings.
Since childhood, Sa Eon found a kindred state with Hee Ju, amidst all the affluence surrounding them, they felt suffocated in a gilded cage, living a life forced upon them. There were probably some shortcuts so the story can fit into 12 episodes, so now I'm excited to tackle the webtoon and the source novel material. But undoubtedly, this is an easy recommendation, for those looking for a different spin on the 'dysfunctional marriage' trope, which I'm getting way addicted to.
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Cliche done right
Cold and possessive male lead with a mysterious past , checkCute and silent female lead with a trauma , check
This has to be one of the best dramas of 2024. With such a strong start, it captivates you and keeps you on the edge.
Marriage of convenience , childhood acquaintances, estranged couple, ... these tropes were executed in a way they didn't feel cringy and further added to the plot. If you want to relive your wattpad days , its for you.
The acting, the plot, the chemistry ,the cinematography , pacing, dialogues, twists and attention to detail were so well done. The acting of not only the leads but also the supporting cast , especially the real Baek Sa-Eon amazingly done. From what you can expect from a romance thriller kdrama, it delivers. In most of the parts, there is nothing unnecessary and the plot flows seemlessly . The romance scenes also served.
Not to mention the OSTs , so beautiful . See the light has become one of my favourites.
It did a good job for most of the part . The start was impeccable . We get a couple who have been married for 3 years but just for name's sake , the male lead having liked the fl since the beginning and them slowly getting to know each other as they face problems that threatens their very being. We get angst, tension and intensity which dissipates in the later episodes. As we transition to the last few eps, they were a little underwhelming compared to the rest of the initial parts and becomes a little over dramatic and random , doing absolutely nothing to the plot . The logic flies out . But the ending make up for it so ...
Special mention to the second lead couple . They stole my heart . Their dynamic was fun and natural . I wish we had gotten more of them.
I am giving it a 9 for the overall job it did ,overlooking some subplots (*cough* argan *cough*) and for the terrific start.
If you love cliches that give you the feels , jump straight into it.
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What a disappointment ! Such an overhyped drama !
It started so well (that "plot twist" ending of episode 1 was especially interesting and intense - I was seated !) and I was quite entertained until about halfway through where it rapidly started going downhill.As the show progressed, the storyline became more and more unrealistic and the characters' development stayed too superficial. I could barely understand any of their (nonsensical) actions or relate to any of them.
The plot also became so predictable in a very chaotic way (like they were desperately trying to make each new episode more exciting).... until the most RIDICULOUS and UNNECESSARY (and politically shameful) last episode ever.
Btw, have you ever heard of the Republic of Argan... in Africa (obviously) ?!? ;-D
During airing, most viewers were talking non-stop about the main leads' fiery chemistry. Well, I'm not so sure about that, sorry, but I'm pretty certain the only thing that saved this drama is the ML (Yoo Yeon Seok) great acting.
PS: sadly, the second couple (was there even a second couple, really ??) had ZERO chemistry.
At the end, I was relieved it was a short drama.
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Second Review... Will this be deleted too?
Ok,So here we go again... a week ago, I wrote a review for this drama without thinking anything else and gave it a low rating because that's what I thought this drama deserved. It was my opinion, my right...
What I said was, this drama was great until episode 6. I loved the plot and the chemistry between the leads, but I felt like once the big reveal happened the drama lost its charm and somehow the chemistry between the leads too.. I felt like everything else was forced along with the plot to move ahead.
Now while writing this, I wonder will this be deleted too?
I gave a 5 rating last time, this time I am bringing it down straight to 1!
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Amazing - I can't get enough
Final Review after 12 eps:The last 3-4 eps have completely ruined this drama for me. It was easily 10 stars until that point but the story became very confusing and unnecessarily complicated towards the end as well as rather boring compared to the first few episodes which were all masterpieces, in my opinion. Overall, giving it 8 stars to account for how good it was at the beginning, but the ending really really sucked and let down the entire story.
Original Review after 4 eps: We're only 4 eps in, but this drama has been so incredible so far. Superb acting, a great storyline and a lot of tension. I'm very excited to see what happens next! I have high hopes for this drama!
The FL is absolutely incredible and I love her expressions, the ML is great too, very intense. The story is complicated and greatly complimented by the romance.
I hope to raise my rating even higher as the story expands in the episodes to come! If you like thriller/romance dramas then be sure to give this one a try!
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A Must Watch!
This show was SOOOOO GOOD! I can't even begin to explain how much I loved it. The plot twists? Mind-blowing. The acting? Top-notch. Everything about it was so well-done, and the pacing? Perfect. I wasn’t bored for even a second. Every episode had me on edge, completely hooked and dying to know what would happen next.Hong Hui Ju and Hong In A’s interactions were absolutely adorable. They were so sweet as sisters, and their bond felt so genuine. I loved their little moments together; they added such a heartfelt layer to the show.
And then there’s Hong Hui Ju and Baek Sa Eon’s chemistry—WOW. They were incredible together. The way they looked at each other, those subtle moments of connection—it was everything. Their relationship had so much depth, and I loved every second of it.
Now, let me just fangirl for a minute because Yoo Yeon Seok. Oh my god, his tears? I’m not even kidding when I say they destroyed me in the best way. This man knows how to pull at your heartstrings like no one else. Every emotional scene was pure magic because of him. I’m officially obsessed and already lining up his other dramas to watch. He’s just THAT good.
The plot itself was so well-crafted. Every character had a role to play, and nothing felt out of place or unnecessary. It’s rare to find a show where everything fits together so seamlessly, but this one nailed it. Every scene and every character added something valuable to the story.
That said, the ending? Eh, not so much. I really don’t think Baek Sa Eon needed to “go missing” just to stretch things out for an extra episode. It felt unnecessary and kind of threw off the otherwise great pacing. And as much as I adore Chae Soo Bin (she’s clearly a talented actress), I have to admit Hong Hui Ju’s cluelessness got a little frustrating at times. Like, girl, please, read the room!
But honestly, those minor complaints don’t take away from how amazing this show was. The acting, the story, the emotions—everything just hit perfectly. I’m in love with this drama and already planning to rewatch it. If you haven’t seen it yet, you’re seriously missing out!
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One of the best kdrama I've seen in a long draught of mid kdramas
Don't get me wrong, every single cliche you know in the kdrama world happened in this drama:Truck of non doom
Cliff of non doom
Chaebol paternity secret
Secret wife that no one knows
Secret wife that is the LOHL etc etc.
But it was still the best, in that the ML and FL acted out the part so well I forgot I was watching the same thing told in a different way...until I did and found myself cheering it on all the same, and the leads chemistry was 🔥, and after they started dating over the phone, I was officially won over.
Although fictional, this drama and most of the rest I've seen this year (including cdramas) have me seeing how difficult it is to be a woman from another woman's point of view. It looks to me that whatever y'all do invites scrutiny no matter how well y'all do it. Makes me want ask the women around me, 'how're you holding up? Are you okay?'
My hats off to the women who take it in strike and still step out winners at the end of the day regardless, y'all are the real MVPs. See y'all in 2025.
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Please don't waste your time watching it
The characters have significant potential—a leads who are a hostage negotiator and a sign language expert—but none matters as the story progresses. The entire 12 episodes focus on building anticipation for romantic scenes to lure the audience. While I understand the bait, it’s underwhelming as a viewer when the story feels sidelined by the worst screenplay. The plot exists, but the show drags out dramatic scenes for far too long instead of exploring it.
The last few episodes were the worst—it felt like soft porn, unbearable to watch in one go. I appreciate the “will-they-won’t-they” tension and eventual romance, but the male lead just didn’t deliver because there is no plot, and their acting couldn’t make up for the nonsensical story and screenplay. There’s no depth to the emotions; the story exists only as a prop. Give me some actual plot to connect with the characters’ feelings!
The funniest part is, it’s not even rushed—it’s the atrocious screenplay that completely derails the plot. The lack of storytelling is so bad it feels like they didn’t even try to piece the narrative together. Scenes drag on endlessly with no purpose, leaving me disconnected and frustrated. It’s as if the creators banked entirely on the hype and romance, forgetting they needed a coherent story. Easily the most overhyped and poorly executed Korean drama of 2024.
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Spiderman will have a hard time with this tangled web
Like some other high profile k-dramas of late, I'm in two minds about this show. On the one hand, it totally nailed the romance. It was a slow burn in the beginning but when they jumpstart their relationship it is a sizzler! It hits you in the feels from all directions.I think they hit the jackpot when they selected the leads for this drama. They really acted their hearts out. Bravo! Their chemistry will keep you warm in the depth of winter. I won't spoil the story because it has a nice twist early on but it has its flaws.
I know you are expecting this as I mentioned my reservations about high profile k-dramas. Namely the A-plot is very manipulative. It is like a piece of art that has been crafted specifically to be seen from a certain angle. If you look from the side then the illusion is broken.
To wit, the show has the ML protecting the FL by taking her away from her dysfunctional family but then spent 3 years treating her like a pariah. I accept his eventual explanation but Korean writers have problems with timescale. When 1 month will do, they'd go for 1 year. In this case we went for a grandslam. Why 3 whole years? Most prison sentences are shorter than that! 3 months is more reasonable. Why labour the point.
When you are dealing with years, other factors comes into play like resentment, despondency and resignation. So he took the FL from an abusive and unloving home and put her into a cold and unloving home for over 1000 days. Yay...?
You can sense the writer-nim micromanaging the plot to be as impactful as possible. Ditto the timing and backstory of the antagonist. Hey, don't looking too closely. This is ART, dammit!
The writer-nim then hit us with the angst bomb. No trope was spared. The mess those families are in will keep a team of therapists employed for years. I know it is part of the overarching plot but it can be overwhelming when twist begot more twists. Secrets are like nesting dolls. You just become numb.
The worse part is after all the pain and suffering, the ML repeated the same mistake. He disappeared for 6 months to punish himself while disregarding the FL's feelings. Of course, she finds herself in a dark, dark place and being tormented continually. Her life effectively grinds to a halt. Is he selfish or clueless? Neither label puts him in a good light.
The heart fluttering scenes after their reunion are major highlights but it is like being given a candy after having to drink a bitter draft.
BTW, I find the made up Argen plot poorly done. It is awkward and unnecessary. I can also see a storm brewing over the fictitious war where 2 thinly disguised middle eastern countries took some Koreans hostage. What is the point of that? It was on screen for 20 seconds but it will haunt them for a long time.
I have no doubt this series will be a huge hit and for good reasons. However, I'm not 100% onboard. There are lots to like but there are also bits that left me cold. On balance, I enjoyed the show and I would have no problem watching a highlight reel of the OTP's romance. That is definitely the glue that held the show together. I would have scored this higher if it is more focused on that. As it stands, it is a potboiler in needs of a script doctor's deft ministration. Peace.
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