K-Drama

First Impressions of ‘When the Phone Rings’

What could be more interesting to see in a drama than a rising politician and his mute wife whose arranged marriage is overturned by a phone call from a stranger who harbors ill intent against Paik Sa-eon, the drama’s male lead?

This is the premise of When the Phone Rings starring Yoo Yoon-Seok as Paik Sa-eon and Choi Soo-bin as Hong Hee-joo.

The drama, which premiered two weeks ago on Netflix, is off to a good start. Its 5.5% nationwide ratings during its first episode reached 6.o% in its third and 5.7% in the fourth episode.

What made me start watching this k-drama is the number of clips and TikTok content I have been seeing in my feed. There’s a lot of hype and good reviews about it. I got curious, especially because Choi Soo-bin is the female lead. I have enjoyed her performance in I Am Not a Robot before (I know, that was a long time ago). More so, is the fact that she is paired with an actor I have no background info about. I can’t remember him in anything. Sorry, I know it feels like a crime to have not seen anything from Yoo Yoon-Seok, but I have not really delved into his body of work until this drama. So, I thought, this should be interesting…

With just four episodes, not to mention that it’s the no. 1 TV show in the Philippines at this time (at the time of writing), I feel like this will keep me hooked until the end. I even stayed up late last night (at the time of writing) just so I could finish the fourth episode! 😫😂

‘When the Phone Rings’ Plot Synopsis

When the Phone Rings is the story of Paik Sa-eon, the present spokesperson of the Korean government, and his wife with selective mutism, played by Choi Soo-bin. Their marriage of convenience is suddenly overturned when Paik Sa-eon receives a phone call from an unidentified man who held Hong Hee- Joo captive.

Major Characters and Their Roles

Yoo Yeon-seok as Paik Sa-eon

He comes from a well-known political family and has impressive credentials, making him the youngest presidential spokesperson. He was previously an announcer.

Chae Soo-bin as Hong Hee-joo / Na Hee-joo

A language interpreter for television and the courtroom, she has become mute at her mother’s request following an incident. She is the spouse of Sa-eon.

Heo Nam-jun [ko] as Ji Sang-woo

A charming psychiatrist known for his attractive appearance and friendly demeanor. He also operates a mystery YouTube channel with 200,000 subscribers, where he enjoys exploring and discussing unsolved cases.

Jang Gyu-ri as Na Yu-ri

She is a broadcasting station announcer who graduated from a prestigious university. She is a bright and lovable character with outstanding looks and innate friendliness.

First Impressions

With four episodes in (at the time of writing), I must say I have been enjoying the series so far. The drama title affirms its name since I could really see how the storyline revolves around a phone call; that alone sets the tone of the drama, providing suspense and thrill as well as acting as a plot vehicle.

I like how there are no dull moments in the show so far. The transitions are also smooth. The revelations in the episodes are also noteworthy but just enough to keep us wanting more. What could be the deal Paik Sa-eon made with Hong I-na, and why could she not marry him even if she returned? or is Paik Sa-eon really the son of the Paik family since that scene from his past when his mother urged him to eat the fish is quite intriguing? Of course, the greater question of all is the stranger’s true motive for destroying Paik Sa-eon.

Next is how the characters are introduced. In the pilot episode, we can already get a clear glimpse of the male and female leads’ personalities. Yoo Yoon Seok and Choi Soo-bin are amazing in their performances. I have learned that Choi Soo-bin trained in sign language for months, and seeing her deliver that in the series shows her hard work. I like how intense they could get, especially the interview scene where Paik Sa-eon grilled Hong Hee-Joo in the interview- that scene was pretty intense and very intimate. It was as if they are speaking to the core of their souls. That was a great scene. They nailed it.

With the visual style I’d say it’s a pretty standard Korean drama. They are really known for their nice productions. I have yet to see heavy product placements. In addition, I also appreciate how the camera focuses on the actors’ faces to show the nuances of acting. The timing of the soundtrack for each highlight scene is also good. I mean, it’s a Korean drama. They have mastered this already.

Overall, it’s a promising series. I have not binged a Korean drama in a long time; actually, that’s why we have not posted anything for months. I am very glad that this drama made me start writing again. I am enjoying this, and I, just like the rest of you, cannot wait for the next episodes. Will the question I asked be finally answered? What revelations should we see next? The anticipation is unbearable! You could say I am seriously hooked!