The best way to describe When the Phone Rings is "tropey". In a way, it feels like the essence of classic kdramas. The contract marriage setup, the ML's cold and domineering personality, even the way the leads fall in love -- nothing is particularly fresh or new. Still, the writers spun an engaging idea out of a kidnapper's call that had the potential to create a tense, sizzling dynamic between the leads, but unfortunately, this potential was never fully realized.

The fundamental issue lies with the leads. Our FL is void of personality, will, clear goals, basically anything that makes a character a compelling person. Although her actions are consistent with her backstory, it would've made a far more interesting story if the FL were more of a ruthless, decisive character. Instead, we got a passive character with little resolve, little intelligence, and lots of scared expressions. It felt more like things kept happening to her rather than her taking control of the narrative.

The ML is... really something. They really did bring back the classic tsundere trope for him and I was not a fan. He has little personality other than being domineering, although he was pretty good at that. Maybe a little too good. I was kind of fed up with his bitchiness that he later tried to brush off. Like give my girl some free will, please. i.e. He's either inconsistent to an insane degree or has the maturity of a ten-year-old, take your pick.

Put these two together and the sizzling romance you wanted becomes a flat one. Their chemistry in the beginning is basically just Sa Eon: bursts into the room. Hui Ju: looks scared. Sa Eon: walks closer. Hui Ju: looks scared. Sa Eon: gets in her face. Hui Ju: looks scared. Then miraculously, one day Sa Eon wakes up and suddenly decides he doesn't want to be a jerk to Hui Ju anymore. Because he really needed someone to kidnap and threaten her in order to treat his wife with decent politeness. So the hope for good chemistry was already pretty low. But the little chemistry that could possibly have been siphoned out of this setup is completely lost because seriously, no one understands why they like each other. I believe the issue here is also that instead of the characters' actions furthering their relationship and the plot, outside factors and events seem to just be pulling this passive couple around.

The plot itself is not bad. The middle feels both useless and draggy, but the story ramps up near the end. The twists, reveals, and stakes were enough to keep me watching.

BUT FINALLY, the real reason I kept watching through it all! Yu Ri and Sang U. The most adorable second lead couple that has graced the screen. And I say this as someone who has never liked second lead couples. Yu Ri and Sang U, from the get-go, have far more palpable chemistry than the lead couple. Their "overdramatic fl x matter-of-fact ml" dynamic is so cute to watch, and I loved Yu Ri's cheerfulness and Sang U's casual quirks. Props to Sang U's actor, honestly. Did I watch 12 hours of this show for their meager 15 minutes of screentime? Yes, yes I did. Did I add .5 to the rewatch value because I will be rewatching their scenes? Yes, yes I did.