When the Phone Rings (2024)

Not worth picking up

The drama asks a lot of leeway to be given, to root for the romance, but it fails to earn them with the two important categories which is the writing and the chemistry. The two leads doesn't bring any sparks in their individual scenes let alone together. Had it been better actors that suited the roles and the romantic chemistry together, it would have brought life to the drama to the dark family secrets they bear the scars of. It was really lazy of the drama which puts so much emphasis on sign language to not spare an expository line that Hee Joo can sign both KSL and BSL because there is not just one universal sign language when she went to that political shindig on duty as an interpreter. It's ridiculous that Sa Eon decides to save her from a political arranged marriage by forcing her to marry him and proceeding to treat her coldly and harshly for three whole years until she snaps from the mistreatment, but it's all okay and romantic because he's been in love with her for decades and was doing it for her own good. Hee Joo just has the lowest bar from being horribly by her mother all her life. Hee Joo also has terrible survival instincts, just going back into her car that was previously shown very high jack-able. Her willingness to take the wheel from the kidnapper and drive it into death would be more impressive if she's not so callous usually. She just gets kidnapped needs saving in some way again and again, the designated damsel. Sa Eon getting out of the car to face down the serial killer with a shotgun rather that flooring it as soon as he saw who it was, either forward or backward is really ridiculous, especially considering he does that with a whole squad of militia firing at him while he plays international batman. He shouldn't have sent her any clues, of course she would just intentionally literally walk into a warzone and just so happen to survive unharmed enough to be rescued. The political stance the show decides to randomly take at the end is pretty horrific, though it seems that may be bad translation work, which is very ironic in a show that's centered around a presidential spokesman and presidential interpreter.

A plot line that was almost good was Do Jae's tragic arc with him out for revenge against his brother's killer only to unwittingly end up helping the guy instead and the unyielding support is what Sa Eon unconsciously craves so much that he blindly trusted Do Jae, even more than he trusted Hee Joo. Better writing could have done more with this meaty plot line, as was In A's heel turn to want sisterhood with Hee Joon randomly after all these years. They should have shown what exactly made her feel this way in the three years she was gone from the plot.

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Misinformation on Palestine

I just wanted to write a review because I found out in episode 12 the show has scene where they basically talk about Palestine attacking occupied Israel. Which is absolutely misinformation and false. Israel is literally committing a genocide against Palestine and Palestine Has so defense so there are hundreds of people dying every single day!! Innocent kids are killed and bombed everyday it’s soo disgusting for the writers and directors to do this and i Cannot continue to watch anymore. I think we all should boycott this drama and the Director. Anyway #freepalestine

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The chemistry b/w FL & ML !! The story!! The tension of Wattpad stories ?❤️

The chemestry and the real toxic couple that we were waiting for from past few years but couldn't find anything like this 😭.
I just wanted to take a moment to express my admiration for actors incredible performance in it. You guys' ability to bring such depth and authenticity to your character truly captivated me. The emotions you portrayed resonated deeply, and I found myself completely immersed in the story.

It's clear that director & writer put a lot of effort and passion into their craft, and it certainly paid off! Thank you for sharing your work with us; it was an unforgettable experience. I can't wait to see remaining episodes. FL & ML chemistry is on fireee!!! Aughhhhhhh

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A new kind of drama has emerged: the hatewatch drama

Not all dramas are created equally.

Some are experiences you treasure and share and hope as many people watch as possible, some are so bad, you wonder why where they even created at all, some are filler shows, and you kind of know while watching a forgivable story and sometimes poor acting or messy production values.

We used to just drop the bad ones, but then a relatively good show like When the phone rings is announced, then maybe we hope, it will be good, because everything sort of seems ok: good actors, good writers, good production teams and so, we go in not knowing what to expect, but then, when nothing in a show like When the Phone rings works, and I mean it, nothing in this drama works and the actors can't make miracles if their source material is just a mess, you start to wonder why this even hit the air.

But yes, nothing in this drama works,, nothing in the story, plot, character development adds anything to a substandard story that attempts to be too much of a thriller/romcom/political drama, without choosing what is is, which basically is what When the phone ring truly is. Just from the many genres and plot, this drama is just a mess, that thankfully is a limited series and we will never waste another minute with these characters and messy story arc ever again.

And yet, this show gathered huge ratings in Korea, and elsewhere we watch, puzzled at the thought of why????, then, it is clear that the mess that started in the writing room cannot be saved, not even award winning actors, directors and producers can save a poorly written story. But then, you as a viewer keep watching, and wondering why and suddenly, it's been 12 hours of plot points that make NO SENSE, you wonder why did you waste your time with it.

Behold a brand new kind of drama: The hatewatch drama. You watch, you want to like, but no, you hate it and you keep on watching. Yes, the show might be nice to watch, thanks to the the Art and Photography departments that clearly deserve a lot of praise for their good work, but then, shows that are nice to watch should have some more positive qualities, right?

Just last week, it was announced that Netflix (and I suspect other streaming services) have asked show creators to dumb down their shows, because us as audiences ,are multitasking, stuck to our chellphones while watching whatever is on that tries to pass on as a entertainment. And while I was hatewatching this show, don't get me started on how that final episode was 100% filler made out stuff. I keep on wondering why, maybe we have begun to ask for nothing and happily consume whatever comes our way, not matter what. Let's hope that shows that are created equally might consider the investment audiences make and may we as audiences demand better stories to be told. Or better, let's just drop them as we used to.

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This drama is ALL ABOUT CHEMISTRY. It promises wattpad and it serves just that unapologetically

Plot - Very wattpad but it perfectly suits the vibe of a kdrama. The characters are thankfully NOT PERFECT.
The tension between the leads is electrifying and addictive to watch. 🔥 If you love that sort of chemistry, don't have second thoughts about watching this drama.
This is NO SHERLOCK THRILLER so it does have plot holes like webtoons but it becomes clear for ep 1 that the drama is about romance and "tension" between the leads.


I am not fond of watching perfectly curated novel male leads with not a single hint of imperfection and just sad pasts which the female lead is supposed to heal with her touch. This is not that which is why I like it. I like the flawed characters.

ML - The male lead is shrewd, conniving, diplomatic and cold. He has all the qualities a politician needs to have in a dog eats dog world. They haven't tried to whitewash that part of his personality. Almost Every character of this drama is GREY and if you love grey characters, you're gonna LOVE THIS.

FL - she has a cute personality WITH A SPICY TWIST. Her character is interesting because more than her enemies, she is fighting her inner demons... asking her to stay quiet and guard every secret.

The actors - The ML is one of the best actors in Korea. He is the MSG of this drama. It seems like the character was written for him.

The FL has a challenging role and she brings out all the diverse and contrasting shades beautifully.

The supporting characters are also very interesting and I don't trust a single one of them.

Overall, its a binge worthy drama and if you decide to watch it when its ongoing, you're gonna have to endure the pain of suspense.

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keeps you in suspense

at first I thought he is a total jerk but his the best the story always makes me want to wait for another episode and they make sure I can’t guess what will happen next I love it I am telling you all you have to watch this series but what’s the best that she is not boring she has her own cool story and in every new episode we are starting to know more about her they both are the best there is just one thing I don’t like and it’s the age gap you don’t even wanna know but when I am not thinking about this the rest is lovely and you won’t even feel the age gap that is in real life

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GOOD BUT NOT MY STYLE

If I could speak for the majority, I'd say this drama was good. I will explain in awhile why i didn't like it as much.

First, it had all the elements and clichès that a typical kdrama has (contract marriage, rich dude poor girl, ml saving damsel in distress, rich fam feud and etc) and I must say, it did remind me so much of the days when I would watch kdrama purely for the delusion and fun of it all. This drama was honestly an episode turner, it was bingeworthy and I wasn't bored at all.

However, for me personally, I did think it lacked substance, emotions, and feelings. It had all the perfect elements, plot, and thrill set up but I couldnt figure out what was missing.

While I like FL, and have watched her dramas in the past, I do agree with some of the reviews here saying she really has to improve her acting. It was good but I know she could really do so much better. She had the same downturned eyebrow expression the entire series and her crying was a little dead (idk ig i'm so used to watching dramas with heavy criers like park boyoung, kim go eun and shin hye sun) there is ofcourse always room for improvement.

And they totally botched that ending too. I was so confused with the last ep. It felt like the producers/writers tried so hard to make this drama so extravagant that it became too much and ruined the drama. A calm satisfying ending would have sufficed.

I'm still giving this a 7.5 for a plot though. This drama would be best for watchers who just started kdrama.

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When the Phone Rings": A Perfect Romantic Drama with a Unique Twist (5/5)

When the Phone Rings is an underrated K-drama that masterfully combines suspense, emotional depth, and a touch of romance. While it may not have the hype of mainstream hits, it stands out for its well-written plot and compelling performances.

The drama follows a mysterious premise where every phone call brings a new twist, testing the boundaries of trust, fate, and survival. The story keeps viewers on edge, blending thriller elements with moments of heartfelt character interactions.

One of the drama's strongest points is its cast. The leads deliver standout performances, portraying their characters with authenticity and depth. The chemistry between them feels natural, adding an emotional layer to the gripping storyline.

The cinematography and soundtrack deserve special mention. The haunting melodies and atmospheric visuals perfectly complement the drama's tone, enhancing the overall experience.

When the Phone Rings is proof that great storytelling doesn’t always need flashy promotions. It's a must-watch for fans of thrillers with emotional undertones. Don’t miss this hidden gem!

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

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Classic and seductive.

Uptated every week !!!!!!!



I don't want to rush into expressing my enthusiasm, but I love stories of love and hate, and the first episode was really great. So, I'm saying welcome!!!

This series has given us everything we want as a classic K-drama in the romantic thriller genre. So far, with just two episodes, it's been quite satisfying.

Who doesn't love a contract marriage storyline? I guess we'll never get tired of it. It's potentially very exciting and intriguing.

The chemistry between the couple is definitely intense.

I'm eagerly looking forward to the flirting period.

I'll definitely continue watching!


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Comments on Episodes 3 and 4:

The series continued with the same excitement and intrigue as the episodes released in the first week. Since it will last for 12 episodes, I think they need to move the plot along a bit faster, and I expect we’ll see more detailed events next week.

This week, we learned more about the backgrounds of our couple. Both of them have traumas influencing their behavior (of course, it's a must-have in K-dramas). The source of these traumas stems from their bad parents (yes, here we go again).

In a way, both are trying to protect their lives, but they are unaware of each other’s struggles. I believe that in this episode, some of the emotions they’ve been hiding came to light, even if just a little.

Baek Sa-eon’s feelings are clear, but for some reasons, he is not open with Hong Hee-joo. I think he feels guilty about forcing her to stay by his side, which is why he pulls back. He believes his wife hates him, but he protects her in his own way. In the coming weeks, we’ll see the reasons behind it more clearly.

Hong Hee-joo believes she is just a backup and is definitely confused about her feelings for her husband. She has other pressing issues to think about, and she’s focusing more on those. However, she will have the chance to reflect on her feelings in the upcoming episodes because she can no longer deny what her husband and his father have done for her.

She even confessed that he is her husband to protect him, omooo!!! She has now proven to him that she is not alone.

I can't wait to see the scenes of this couple getting to know each other and flirting. I hope they give us plenty of those moments.

I’m eagerly looking forward to the next episodes!

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