So while I ranted about the things I do not like in this drama so far (Read Here: https://kisskh.at/766179-the-number-you-have-dialed#comment-19696136)Here…
The ML loved FL since they were children. He also is a imposter of some sort - like maybe not the real kid since his mom tells him "my son loves seafood" but he apparently does not - so I guess this is a common thing they unite on - they are both pretending for their family in some capacity and the ML knows.
As he grew up he realized that FL was to be married to a weirdo guy and for some reason step sis also did not want to marry him (may be she liked someone else and was so in love that she did not care for ML and his rich powerful family). So with her help - it was he, ML - who planned the whole bride-switcheroo.
--> Present Time: Ep 5 onwards: Now sis will be back and see all the riches her step sis is living in, and so try to break them up? Or if not romantic angle - definitely cause some issues between them.
--> Who are the Kidnappers? The kidnapper is from a group of people who were wronged by ML or so they think. Maybe in the past these people's family were wrongly harmed/killed due to the decision of the ML. HE is mentioned to have been trained as a negotiator as well and has some form of secret spy/police training. So maybe in some political/hostage situation the kidnapper groups' loved ones were not rescued. Either cause ML's family (dad/grandad) ordered it or someone else. But on the front - it was the ML who delivered the news as a reporter or spokesperson. Basically he would have worded it very strongly against the people killed. Hence they have now united to take revenge on him. Maybe ML was the front and mastermind was someone else (maybe ML family)
OR - it is someone who is also related to Nuri Orphanage, and ML family had to do something with it. It was all hidden and probably ML orchestrated it all, again at the orders of his family. But the kidnappers only know of ML being the culprit.
--> Also not sure what was the story the SML was sharing about the mansion near the orphanage. And the masked kid. Were he and the actual son of the ML's family (assuming he is the imposter) were friends once. Like the SML will get to know ML is imposter since he knows the reason behind the vanishing of the original son.
Anyways he would most likely end up with the reporter/anchor lady from HBC*.
---> FINALE: In the end all is revealed - and the ML and FL are together, confess their love and take back what belongs to them, bitch-slapping all the evil mothers and sisters on the way, or punching evil power hungry dads while getting their happy ending along with the second leads and help revive NURI orphanage.
P.S: Maybe FL mom - harmed the Chairman's wife and son, in order to make a place for herself and her daughter. She could have also harmed her own husband (FL's real father)
The President Candidate - ML's father also looks shady - he probably had something to do with his son's death, and also Nuri orphanage.
Somethings about this drama has been bugging me - so am going to say it, to get it off my chest. While I have…
Good Things So Far: [1] Love the suspense - who is the kidnapper? what is the story with both families and all characters? what are they hiding? what will happen to our main leads? do they love each other or no? will they remain together or will it be a thriller with a twist that no one saw coming? so many questions - and the makes of the show are doing a great job in keeping me hooked. [2] Yoo Yeon Seok - he is a great actor. Nothing more to say.
Things I am Not Liking: [1] The cliche romantic moments are looking forced. I know many are loving it - as I can see in comments here and on social media - but I feel it is very unnatural, forced and awkward to me. This is not the chemistry we have seen in K-dramas - and believe me I have been watching them since a long time. And it is not like I do not like the cringe and butterfly inducing, heart thumping, toe-curling moments - when the actor locks the actress in between the wall and himself, or saves her from an oncoming speedy vehicle. But this seemed very unnatural - which is strange because both the main leads are good artists.
Also not just the acting - I feel the situations in which they were done were completely unnecessary. For example: we did not need the weird seductive background music when the actor is just walking in his workplace hallway to take the interview, we did not need the full twist and saving two times when the bike is in parking lot about to hit FL and the glass being flung by her FIL. Like NOOOOOOO - I feel bad that the actors of such caliber are being put into such situations.
And I enjoy such moments - like it was in A Business Proposal, Lovely Runner etc. But here it really is making me enjoy it less and therefore reduce the overall watching experience of this drama go really low.
[2] Logic: The ML is definitely smart - like someone who things 3-4 steps ahead, at least that is the impression we are being given. The FL is supposed to be mad and burning with rage which is why she takes the phone from the kidnapper and is now calling/threatening the husband.
[a] Lingerie Sexy Photo And even if she is doing such an act for the first time - what was the whole point of sending the sexy lingerie picture? She could have rather kept herself in a tied up situation or pretended to show as if the kidnapper is always around her and therefore the husband should be careful that he could kill her any moment. The sexy picture was not even used well - and was just there for the audience to feel the "chemistry" when next day the husband tries to check her mole. Moreover the picture looked clearly like a selfie - it was taken from the top, did it not occur to the husband that she herself might have taken it (maybe it did given the Ep 4 reveal in epilogue).
[b] getting worked up too quickly - and husband doesn't even suspect? Also the pretending kidnapper has no motive and is easily getting agitated whenever the husband is talking as if the wife is a possession or taunting the kidnapper that he can't do anything. If she is on the path to revenge and given she is someone who is pretending to be mute (which means that she must have had to be calm etc to execute it) suddenly is losing her mind at the slightest provocation of her husband, who btw has been doing it since last 3 years - or so it seems.
[c] FL speaking to her DAD: FL knows that her husband has bodyguards following her and are reporting back to her husband. I mean she should be thinking that way given how controlling he and his family have been. And the fact that she is pretending to be mute - she should be extra careful and look around her when she is speaking. But no - she goes and speaks to her dad in full public view. And oddly, the guards with her are not seeing/reporting this.
All the above really is marring my experience of this drama. I guess I expected a lot given it was starring YYS. While I am still hopeful and intrigued by the suspense/motives, I personally did not like the above - illogical moves, forced chemistry, unnecessary attempts at being romantic, background score coming in as a seductive force at moments not needed.
Really hope they focus on the mystery and romance is built organically - not enforced - in the coming episodes *finger-crossed*
I had hoped this would be my 10/10 rated drama, but chances seem bleak.
Somethings about this drama has been bugging me - so am going to say it, to get it off my chest. While I have been eagerly awaiting this drama cause of the mystery element & YYS and will continue to watch it - I really am not sold on some aspects, which are making the social media and most audience go into a frenzy.
Hoping there is no hate - here I go and add it under first comment (spoiler tag)
Doubtful about Doubt - struggling to finish it, after dropping it once. Black Out was a masterpiece, a 10-rating…
The main actors are the reason I am still not dropping it. But struggling to finish after Ep 7. I know it is deliberately slow, but then maybe that is why it is not for me. Plus am coming to it after watching Black Out - which was intense, on similar lines but had a pace which was to my liking.
But good to know that you liked it - lets see if I can find the strength to finish it *fingers crossed*
MBC's back-to-back thrillers (Black Out -> Doubt -> When the Phone Rings) for their Fri-Sat slot has been amazing!
Doubtful about Doubt - struggling to finish it, after dropping it once. Black Out was a masterpiece, a 10-rating drama for me in a long time. Hence, even though I like YYS and have full faith in his acting, his project picks are not always great, therefore will wait for this one to air some more, and see mid way if it remains as good as the beginning.
Kim Ji Eun - I have seen her for the first time in Love Next Door. While I could not finish the drama - I found her acting amazing and personality very fun. So am sure, she will make her presence known in this drama and make this drama really cool and fun.
Bae In Hyuk - I love his acting, looks and voice and try not to miss out his good dramas. Happy to see him on a project and looks like similar to Lee Min Ho, this guy is bound to get roles of rich guy, prince only. Not saying that it is bad or anything - but just an observation.
Jung Gun Joo - another cutie, since Extraordinary You. I have seen him in support roles only and going by the cast order here, looks like he will be in support or SML, and we all know what the fate of those are. But am sure he too will bring in the comedic relief in this drama.
Overall looks like a fun drama - though my personal comedic/serious sageuk remains Mr Queen and I feel it is hard to touch it. Though this one seems to be giving Hotel Del Luna/Flower Crew vibes - so am eager to see how this unfolds. Maybe will wait for it to air a bit before beginning but 2024 is sure to have a good fun ending, dramawise!
Watched the first 9 episodes over the last 2 days, so now I'm ready for the finale. I don't know shit, but I'm…
I had dropped this one and have picked up again and at Ep 5. Honestly it is a bit slow for me but now am here to know who is the killer.
But yes, commenting here - I am also certain Ha Bin is not the killer. Kind of obvious because then the whole drama would become very straightforward - that she was always the sus person and eventually was found to be the killer. Pretty sure it will be someone else.
Unless-----they make us all believe that someone else is the killer only for in the last episode or finale epilogue something would be shown that shows that everything was made up and Ha Bin is really the killer. Kind of like one of my fav films - Primal Fear. I really hope they do something like that - would be satisfying AF.
I still cannot believe it - just saw the post on social media and now confirmed on MDL. Recently was so happy to see him in Queen Woo and had made a mental note to rewatch Idle Mermaid to see him again as he had more screentime there.
What is this - it is like the year cannot end without a heartbreak 💔 Really have no words - except hoping that he rests in peace and his loved ones find the strength to overcome this tragedy.
Edit: Just revisiting this page again and again and going through his variety shows. And I saw he had 3 upcoming movies as well. It is so sad - he definitely had work lined up, I wonder what and where things went wrong.
Search = Who are the Detective's Parents? My Observation:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------⦿…
Theory: "She Rescued Detective as a Baby - but is not his mother, but fostered him for a bit." I like this and it solves the doubt in my mind that how could she have hidden the pregnancy. And it also goes with the initial belief of hers that she doesn't want to have children.
Just playing the devil's advocate - the doubt on this theory that I have is this - she is shown to be rich, coming from a protective environment & seems to have shifted in the town recently. Her only contact points seem to be the Royal Club members and Chairman's wife - before Bangpan Sisters. Given her personality and upbringing - it seems unlikely that she would jump into a fire to rescue a baby.
But then she is known to be kind - so who knows the situation might have sprung her into action. I think we are being led to believe that she could be the mother -whereas she would turn out to be a foster mother, and the search might stop. Like the Detective might not have enough leads to go on - but make peace with the families he has created with his adoptive parents in States and in Korea (Geum Hui).
Thanks a lot - I think I will edit and add your theory too in my OP with due credits ofc.
Then I’m glad I haven’t watched Penthouse 😁, I guess her role here will stay with me for a long time.
Sorry I don't have any. I have only seen her in The Penthouse and now this - A Virtuous Business.
But, I have heard Falling for Innocence, Two Weeks are good dramas. Also Prosecutor Princess was a good show when it came out. Have not seen them myself but she is in main lead roles here and overall the drama ratings and reviews are generally good.
2 
6 
1 
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Here is also my whacky attempt at making a guess/theory on the story.
(First Comment under Spoiler Tag)
As he grew up he realized that FL was to be married to a weirdo guy and for some reason step sis also did not want to marry him (may be she liked someone else and was so in love that she did not care for ML and his rich powerful family). So with her help - it was he, ML - who planned the whole bride-switcheroo.
--> Present Time: Ep 5 onwards:
Now sis will be back and see all the riches her step sis is living in, and so try to break them up? Or if not romantic angle - definitely cause some issues between them.
--> Who are the Kidnappers?
The kidnapper is from a group of people who were wronged by ML or so they think. Maybe in the past these people's family were wrongly harmed/killed due to the decision of the ML. HE is mentioned to have been trained as a negotiator as well and has some form of secret spy/police training. So maybe in some political/hostage situation the kidnapper groups' loved ones were not rescued. Either cause ML's family (dad/grandad) ordered it or someone else. But on the front - it was the ML who delivered the news as a reporter or spokesperson. Basically he would have worded it very strongly against the people killed. Hence they have now united to take revenge on him. Maybe ML was the front and mastermind was someone else (maybe ML family)
OR - it is someone who is also related to Nuri Orphanage, and ML family had to do something with it. It was all hidden and probably ML orchestrated it all, again at the orders of his family. But the kidnappers only know of ML being the culprit.
--> Also not sure what was the story the SML was sharing about the mansion near the orphanage. And the masked kid. Were he and the actual son of the ML's family (assuming he is the imposter) were friends once. Like the SML will get to know ML is imposter since he knows the reason behind the vanishing of the original son.
Anyways he would most likely end up with the reporter/anchor lady from HBC*.
---> FINALE:
In the end all is revealed - and the ML and FL are together, confess their love and take back what belongs to them, bitch-slapping all the evil mothers and sisters on the way, or punching evil power hungry dads while getting their happy ending along with the second leads and help revive NURI orphanage.
P.S: Maybe FL mom - harmed the Chairman's wife and son, in order to make a place for herself and her daughter. She could have also harmed her own husband (FL's real father)
The President Candidate - ML's father also looks shady - he probably had something to do with his son's death, and also Nuri orphanage.
FIN.
[1] Love the suspense - who is the kidnapper? what is the story with both families and all characters? what are they hiding? what will happen to our main leads? do they love each other or no? will they remain together or will it be a thriller with a twist that no one saw coming? so many questions - and the makes of the show are doing a great job in keeping me hooked.
[2] Yoo Yeon Seok - he is a great actor. Nothing more to say.
Things I am Not Liking:
[1] The cliche romantic moments are looking forced.
I know many are loving it - as I can see in comments here and on social media - but I feel it is very unnatural, forced and awkward to me. This is not the chemistry we have seen in K-dramas - and believe me I have been watching them since a long time. And it is not like I do not like the cringe and butterfly inducing, heart thumping, toe-curling moments - when the actor locks the actress in between the wall and himself, or saves her from an oncoming speedy vehicle. But this seemed very unnatural - which is strange because both the main leads are good artists.
Also not just the acting - I feel the situations in which they were done were completely unnecessary.
For example: we did not need the weird seductive background music when the actor is just walking in his workplace hallway to take the interview, we did not need the full twist and saving two times when the bike is in parking lot about to hit FL and the glass being flung by her FIL. Like NOOOOOOO - I feel bad that the actors of such caliber are being put into such situations.
And I enjoy such moments - like it was in A Business Proposal, Lovely Runner etc. But here it really is making me enjoy it less and therefore reduce the overall watching experience of this drama go really low.
[2] Logic:
The ML is definitely smart - like someone who things 3-4 steps ahead, at least that is the impression we are being given. The FL is supposed to be mad and burning with rage which is why she takes the phone from the kidnapper and is now calling/threatening the husband.
[a] Lingerie Sexy Photo
And even if she is doing such an act for the first time - what was the whole point of sending the sexy lingerie picture? She could have rather kept herself in a tied up situation or pretended to show as if the kidnapper is always around her and therefore the husband should be careful that he could kill her any moment. The sexy picture was not even used well - and was just there for the audience to feel the "chemistry" when next day the husband tries to check her mole. Moreover the picture looked clearly like a selfie - it was taken from the top, did it not occur to the husband that she herself might have taken it (maybe it did given the Ep 4 reveal in epilogue).
[b] getting worked up too quickly - and husband doesn't even suspect?
Also the pretending kidnapper has no motive and is easily getting agitated whenever the husband is talking as if the wife is a possession or taunting the kidnapper that he can't do anything. If she is on the path to revenge and given she is someone who is pretending to be mute (which means that she must have had to be calm etc to execute it) suddenly is losing her mind at the slightest provocation
of her husband, who btw has been doing it since last 3 years - or so it seems.
[c] FL speaking to her DAD:
FL knows that her husband has bodyguards following her and are reporting back to her husband. I mean she should be thinking that way given how controlling he and his family have been. And the fact that she is pretending to be mute - she should be extra careful and look around her when she is speaking. But no - she goes and speaks to her dad in full public view. And oddly, the guards with her are not seeing/reporting this.
===================================================================
All the above really is marring my experience of this drama. I guess I expected a lot given it was starring YYS. While I am still hopeful and intrigued by the suspense/motives, I personally did not like the above - illogical moves, forced chemistry, unnecessary attempts at being romantic, background score coming in as a seductive force at moments not needed.
Really hope they focus on the mystery and romance is built organically - not enforced - in the coming episodes *finger-crossed*
I had hoped this would be my 10/10 rated drama, but chances seem bleak.
Hoping there is no hate - here I go and add it under first comment (spoiler tag)
But good to know that you liked it - lets see if I can find the strength to finish it *fingers crossed*
Black Out was a masterpiece, a 10-rating drama for me in a long time.
Hence, even though I like YYS and have full faith in his acting, his project picks are not always great, therefore will wait for this one to air some more, and see mid way if it remains as good as the beginning.
Bae In Hyuk - I love his acting, looks and voice and try not to miss out his good dramas. Happy to see him on a project and looks like similar to Lee Min Ho, this guy is bound to get roles of rich guy, prince only. Not saying that it is bad or anything - but just an observation.
Jung Gun Joo - another cutie, since Extraordinary You. I have seen him in support roles only and going by the cast order here, looks like he will be in support or SML, and we all know what the fate of those are. But am sure he too will bring in the comedic relief in this drama.
Overall looks like a fun drama - though my personal comedic/serious sageuk remains Mr Queen and I feel it is hard to touch it. Though this one seems to be giving Hotel Del Luna/Flower Crew vibes - so am eager to see how this unfolds. Maybe will wait for it to air a bit before beginning but 2024 is sure to have a good fun ending, dramawise!
Please add this in Spoiler - the rest of the commentators too! #Please #Jebal
But yes, commenting here - I am also certain Ha Bin is not the killer. Kind of obvious because then the whole drama would become very straightforward - that she was always the sus person and eventually was found to be the killer. Pretty sure it will be someone else.
Unless-----they make us all believe that someone else is the killer only for in the last episode or finale epilogue something would be shown that shows that everything was made up and Ha Bin is really the killer. Kind of like one of my fav films - Primal Fear. I really hope they do something like that - would be satisfying AF.
What is this - it is like the year cannot end without a heartbreak 💔
Really have no words - except hoping that he rests in peace and his loved ones find the strength to overcome this tragedy.
Edit: Just revisiting this page again and again and going through his variety shows. And I saw he had 3 upcoming movies as well. It is so sad - he definitely had work lined up, I wonder what and where things went wrong.
Just playing the devil's advocate - the doubt on this theory that I have is this - she is shown to be rich, coming from a protective environment & seems to have shifted in the town recently. Her only contact points seem to be the Royal Club members and Chairman's wife - before Bangpan Sisters. Given her personality and upbringing - it seems unlikely that she would jump into a fire to rescue a baby.
But then she is known to be kind - so who knows the situation might have sprung her into action. I think we are being led to believe that she could be the mother -whereas she would turn out to be a foster mother, and the search might stop. Like the Detective might not have enough leads to go on - but make peace with the families he has created with his adoptive parents in States and in Korea (Geum Hui).
Thanks a lot - I think I will edit and add your theory too in my OP with due credits ofc.
But, I have heard Falling for Innocence, Two Weeks are good dramas.
Also Prosecutor Princess was a good show when it came out. Have not seen them myself but she is in main lead roles here and overall the drama ratings and reviews are generally good.