K-Drama Review: When the Phone Rings- A Gripping K-Drama of Secrets, Love, and Redemption
- Mann_ Ritzz
- Aug 16
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 17
Adapted from Geon Eomul-nyeo’s acclaimed web novel ‘The Number You Have Dialed’, 2024–25 South Korean drama ‘When the Phone Rings’ unfolds as a gripping 12-episode story filled with suspense and raw emotion.
The drama follows two wounded souls entangled in a web of secrets and betrayal, slowly finding their way toward understanding. The series is written by Kim Ji-woon, co-directed by Park Sang-woo and Wi Deuk-gyu, and stars Yoo Yeon-seok, Chae Soo-bin, Heo Nam-jun, and Jang Gyu-ri.
What is the plot of the show :
The drama follows Baek Sa-eon (played by Yoo Yeon-seok), an ambitious political figure and former investigative journalist, and his wife, Hong Hee-joo (played by Chae Soo-bin), a sign language interpreter living with selective mutism. Their relationship begins not out of love, but as a calculated contract marriage, an alliance forged between the powerful Paik political dynasty and the influential Hong media family. For both clans, the union serves as a strategic move to consolidate influence.
Yet, beneath the political maneuvering lies a complicated truth. Sa-eon’s choice of Hee-joo is rooted in an old, unspoken affection, while Hee-joo remains emotionally bound to the memory of her late older sister—Sa-eon’s original intended bride, whose untimely absence thrust Hee-joo into the role instead.
Though lacking genuine intimacy, the marriage endures under the weight of obligations, hidden wounds, and personal insecurities. The fragile balance shatters when Hee-joo is abducted by a mysterious figure, triggering a dangerous chain of events that disrupt her quiet, repressed life. The kidnapper’s cryptic demands and unnerving calls to Sa-eon wrap the story in a taut layer of suspense.
Through a specially designed phone ensuring complete anonymity, Hee-joo begins contacting Sa-eon under the alias “406,” drawn from the first digits of the kidnapper’s number. Masquerading as the abductor during these nightly calls, she starts revealing pieces of her long-suppressed emotions.
Initially, her intent is to push Sa-eon toward a divorce, freeing herself from their loveless arrangement. But as the calls continue, the boundaries between resentment and yearning begin to dissolve, and Hee-joo’s determination to walk away slowly falters.
Theme:
Beneath its suspenseful exterior, ‘When the Phone Rings’ is ultimately anchored in the evolving relationship between Hee-joo and Sa-eon. Both come from deeply dysfunctional backgrounds, shaped by manipulative, self-serving parents who either withheld love entirely or distorted it into a form defined by blind sacrifice and unquestioning obedience. As a result, they have grown into adults unable to express emotions openly and burdened with fragile self-worth. Living together under one roof, Hee-joo, too timid to assert herself, and Sa-eon, too guarded to speak his true feelings exist as if stranded on separate, lonely islands.
But everything shifts with a single phone call.
The phone serves as a central motif in 'When the Phone Rings', symbolizing honest communication, self-discovery, and personal growth. Over time, it becomes the bridge connecting their emotional islands, steadily drawing them closer. Episode by episode, the device plays multiple roles: unmasking hidden truths, sparking transformation, delivering instructions, and giving voice to those who cannot speak. In weaving these moments together, the drama masterfully intertwines themes of love, guilt, redemption, the psychological toll of decisions that people make in their lives, sacrifice, and healing. While the story carries themes many viewers may find relatable, its execution is deliberately pushed into makjang territory. In K-drama terms, makjang refers to narratives that exaggerate reality, throwing characters into ever-escalating, over-the-top situations, amplifying both stakes and emotions, and surrounding them with toxic personalities whose actions often defy conventional logic.
Strong performances
One of the drama’s greatest strengths lies in its stellar performances. Chae Soo-bin delivers a captivating turn as Hong Hee-joo, conveying her character’s inner turmoil with remarkable nuance and restraint. Yoo Yeon-seok’s portrayal of Baek Sa-eon is equally compelling, skillfully layering his character’s guilt and path toward self-discovery. Heo Nam-jun stands out as Ji Sang-woo, bringing warmth, loyalty, and quiet strength that leave a lasting impression. Jang Gyu-ri as Na Yu-ri and Han Jae-yi as Hong In-a offer grounding presences amidst the story’s volatile relationships, with memorable performances that add depth to the narrative.
The on-screen chemistry, especially between Chae Soo-bin and Yoo Yeon-seok, is electric, making their intricate and emotionally charged relationship one of the series’ most engaging elements. Both the leads embody their roles with exceptional precision, delivering layered performances fueled by undeniable chemistry. Their emotions are palpable, making the growing love and longing between Sa-eon and Hee-joo increasingly powerful with every episode. Each scene they share is captivating, their effortless and magnetic dynamic pulling viewers deeper into the story, undoubtedly making them a couple worth watching.
The character development:
The true draw of 'When the Phone Rings' lies in the measured, organic progression of Hee-joo and Sa-eon’s relationship, two individuals bound by heavy emotional wounds and the weight of familial pressures. For Sa-eon, their union was never just a political arrangement. Having known Hee-joo for years, his decision to marry her, though strategic, was underpinned by genuine affection. Even amidst the demands of his political career, he quietly looked after her from the sidelines. Hee-joo’s selective mutism is a poignant reflection of her unresolved trauma, tracing back to a childhood tragedy. After the death of her younger brother, Yu-jin, in a car accident, her mother, Kim Yeon-hu (played by Oh Hyun-kyung), imposed silence upon her, a form of psychological control that left her trapped in muteness, despite her fluency in sign language.
At first, she regards her marriage to Sa-eon as an unwanted obligation, but over time it reveals itself as a space where she might find solace. Still, the path is not without inner battles and emotional turbulence. The slow-burn development of their connection, especially Hee-joo’s hesitant journey toward honest communication, is one of the drama’s most touching and powerful threads.
Over time, Sa-eon grows warmer and more open, coming to recognize the deep link between love and sincerity. He begins to truly understand that Hee-joo not only needs him but also loves him. In turn, Hee-joo gains confidence and a strong sense of self-worth, realizing her life holds meaning and that she has every right to speak up for her own beliefs, desires, and needs. As they uncover each other’s true selves, their relationship evolves into one grounded in sincerity and mutual respect, while also highlighting the transformative power of forgiveness, empathy, and kindness.
The shadowy past and pivotal twist:
The series also ventures into the murky history of the Paik family, bringing long-suppressed secrets and deep psychological wounds to light. As the truth about Sa-eon gradually unravels, his origins, the twisted legacy of his family’s political ambitions, and the shadows shaping the man he has become, the storyline gains even greater depth.
A game-changing revelation exposes that the Sa-eon we know is not the Paik family’s biological son at all, but an orphan raised by a fisherman, unknowingly switched with the real Sa-eon during childhood. This bombshell transforms the simmering tension into a full-fledged psychological thriller, as the true Sa-eon, hidden away for years and believed dead, emerges with a burning desire for revenge against the man who has lived his life.
Role of sign language:
One of the show’s most touching aspects is its focus on sign language. For Hee-joo, it’s more than just a skill, it’s the only way she can truly convey her feelings in the beginning. Along with the phone, a key shift in their relationship happens when Sa-eon starts learning sign language, opening the door to more honest and heartfelt communication. This shared form of expression becomes another thread binding them together. By the finale, Hee-joo embraces sign language as an integral part of who she is and takes pride in pursuing her work as an interpreter. Adding to the celebration, Chae Soo-bin was honored with the Excellence Award at the 2024 MBC Drama Awards for her outstanding portrayal.
International appeal:
FlixPatrol, a platform that tracks streaming rankings, reports that When The Phone Rings climbed to #2 in Netflix’s Global TV (Non-English) category just two weeks after its debut. The drama secured the #1 spot in 33 countries, including Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Indonesia, Qatar, Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil, and maintained its lead in many of them. Director Park Sung-woo’s decision to soften the mature themes from the original novel broadened its appeal, attracting viewers across a wider range of age groups.
At its heart, ‘When the Phone Rings’ is more than a story of crime and suspense, it’s also a poignant exploration of self-discovery and healing. Both protagonists are haunted by the shadows of their past, and the series follows their slow but meaningful path toward emotional freedom. The pacing strikes a careful balance, keeping viewers gripped with unyielding tension while carving out tender, reflective moments that draw the audience closer to the characters and their inner worlds.
The series has also reignited conversations about the resurgence of the melodrama genre, which had been waning in recent years. Once a staple of Korean television, emotionally rich melodramas had given way to lighter, more easily digestible romances as audience preferences shifted. However, the strong reception of the drama points to a renewed appetite for heartfelt, emotionally charged storytelling.
‘When the Phone Rings’ is a finely crafted drama that weaves themes of sincerity, personal growth, and identity into a story brought to life by a captivating cast and an engrossing plot.
It stands out as a rare treasure among formulaic K-dramas, delivering a narrative that is both daring in its approach and deeply heartfelt. Its layered blend of political intrigue, long-buried family secrets, and raw emotional conflict keeps audiences hooked, all while preserving the tender, human relationships at its core. In an era where many dramas lean on clichés and predictable beats, ‘When the Phone Rings’ feels like a refreshing antidote, a beautifully executed series that rises above the underwhelming storytelling too often seen in recent K-dramas.