When the Phone Rings (2024) 지금 거신 전화는
Directed by Park Sang-woo and Wi Deuk-gyu, starring Yoo Yeon-seok as Paik Sa-eon, Chae Soo-bin as Hong Hee-joo, Heo Nam-jun as Ji Sang-woo and Jang Gyu-ri as Na Yu-ri.
Watched 5 - 15 January 2025 — 12 episodes (NETFLIX)
Paik Sa-eon (Yoo Yeon-seok) comes from a prestigious political family and he became the youngest presidential spokesman in Korea. His background also includes time spent as a war correspondent, hostage negotiator, and main anchorman. He married Hong Hee-joo (Chae Soo-bin) 3 years ago. She is the daughter of a newspaper proprietor. She has mutism due to an accident she had when she was little. She works as a sign language interpreter in court and on television. Paik Sa-eon and Hong Hee-joo got married largely due to convenience. For the past 3 years, they haven't communicated with each other or have meals together. They pretend they are a happily married couple. One day, Hong Hee-joo is kidnapped by an unidentified person. This changes their marriage life. (Synopsis: AsianWiki)
*This recent K-drama is well received among drama fans and my elder sister loves it. I had high hopes. But I fell asleep constantly while watching the first episodes which wasn't the best viewing experience, I admit. Show also starts out rather confusing, but as it progresses, pieces of the story fall into place and family secrets are being revealed.
*The leads Yoo Yeon-seok as Paik Sa-eon and Chae Soo-bin as Hong Hee-joo have great chemistry, and their romance is the strength of this series.
*Someone online referred to this drama as makjang. According to Dramabeans makjang is "a stylistic, tonal, or narrative element in dramas that chooses to play up outrageous storylines to keep viewers hooked despite how ridiculous the stories become (adultery, revenge, rape, birth secrets, fatal illnesses, and flirting with incest possibilities are some makjang favorites)". When the Phone Rings surely asks the viewer to suspend disbelief.
*Despite the bumpy start for me and the far-fetched plot, this proved to be compelling and binge-worthy in the end. I also enjoyed the romance.
*At first I didn't think much of Chae Soo-bin's performance since she only seemed to have one facial expression (miserable, sad) but fortunately she improved and I especially liked her facial expressions when she was doing sign language. She was quite believable as an interpreter and the actress must have studied hard to master the skills. It was also fun when Hong Hee-joo taught Paik Sa-eon how to do sign language. Overall I thought Yoo Yeon-seok's performance was good. It was even great during the press conference at the end of episode 10. If you want to see a devastated man, look no further.
*I like the 2nd couple Heo Nam-jun as Ji Sang-woo and Jang Gyu-ri as Na Yu-ri. Yu-ri's sunny demeanour is infectious and the actress is pretty.
*I also like the eventual bonding between Hong Hee-joo and her sister In-a. But it was never mentioned or made clear how In-a suddenly can hear, after losing her hearing as a child in a car accident. She must have had an off-screen procedure to restore her hearing ability.
*Like I said earlier, suspension of disbelief is required. This applies to the plot overall but also to the miraculous recovery of the lead characters after nearly-dead incidents. Hong Hee-joo survives a high fall from a cliff, Paik Sa-eon survives a fire explosion and a gunshot wound near the end of the series. Also the accomplice villain Choi Woo-jin as Park Do-jae (Sa-eon's close assistant) lived, even though he almost drowned and was bleeding heavily from multiple knife stabs.
*(SPOILER AHEAD!!!!) Much has been said about the final episode and how disappointing it is! Still, nothing prepared me for the ridiculous turn the plot takes. Sa-eon completely disappears from public life (we don't see how he recovered from the gunshot wound) because he's overcome by shame and guilt over the wrongdoings of his biological father and the inflicted pain on Hee-joo. He wants to punish himself, and so naturally he goes to the (fictional) war-torn country of Argan where he has worked in the past as a negotiator. Naturally Hee-joo goes to Argan to search for him, looking for that specific spot where Sa-eon can enjoy the sunset. Well, you must sense my disbelief. This didn't make sense at all. Also, a group of foreigners, including Hee-joo, is being kidnapped by the rebels. Sa-eon single-handedly rescues them, but only leads Hee-joo to safety. What happened to the other foreigners? He just leaves them in the jungle?!? Anyway, the OTP ends up in bed and all's well.
*I like the final reunion with the OTP and their friends in their new home (much cosier than the other place) and the announcement of the wedding of the 2nd couple. Too bad the 2nd couple didn't get more screen time.
*All in all, an entertaining watch but completely satisfying it's not!