The brand new series, When the Phone Rings (지금 거신 전화는) is a gripping mystery, romance, and thriller drama that delves into the secrets and complexities of a marriage built on convenience. Starring the talented Chae Soo-bin and Yoo Yeon-seok, the story revolves around Baek Sa-eon, the youngest presidential spokesperson in South Korea and the heir to a powerful political family, and Hong Hee-joo, a sign language interpreter who turned mute after a childhood accident. Despite being married for three years, the couple hasn’t spoken, maintaining a fragile façade of a relationship—until an unexpected kidnapping and a threatening phone call shatter their silence and throw their lives into chaos.
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When The Phone Rings Ep 1 Runtime
59 minutes
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When The Phone Rings Kdrama Cast
Yoo Yeon-seok, Chae Soo-bin, Heo Nam-jun, Jang Gyu-ri, Jin Kyung, Han Jae-yi
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When The Phone Rings Director
Park Sang-woo
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AKA
지금 거신 전화는
Directed by Park Sang-woo and penned by Kim Ji-woon, this 12-episode drama promises to weave a tale of suspense and intrigue. Set to air every Friday and Saturday on MBC, with international streaming available on Netflix and Wavve, the series kicks off on November 22, 2024 with an extended premiere episode. As the plot thickens, audiences can expect a blend of heart-pounding thrills, emotional revelations, and unexpected twists in this compelling drama.
– Contains Spoilers –
When The Phone Rings Episode 1 Recap
When the Phone Rings begins with Baek Sa-eon making a grand entrance at an international gathering. His presence commands attention as women admire him from a distance, their awe evident. However, the atmosphere shifts when Hong Hee-joo, his wife, joins him. Sa-eon leans in, his voice firm yet calm, instructing her to remain composed and not draw attention to herself as his wife. Their relationship is revealed to be as distant as his tone suggests.
The scene transitions to Hee-joo at her workplace, interpreting for a news broadcast. Suddenly, a technical glitch freezes her video feed on national live TV, capturing her mid-gesture in an offensive sign. Embarrassed and humiliated, Hee-joo storms out. Meanwhile, the newsroom receives breaking news from the presidential office—a hostage situation involving Korean citizens. All eyes shift to a live broadcast of Sa-eon, the charismatic spokesperson, addressing the nation. As he calmly relays the details of the hostage situation, his colleagues watch in admiration. Hee-joo, however, seethes with anger. She flips him off on the screen before walking away, her frustration boiling over.
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Back at the presidential office, Sa-eon urges the press to withhold publishing the sensitive information until the situation is clearer. Despite being bombarded with questions, he deftly navigates the media frenzy before retreating to his office. There, he fields numerous calls from news outlets, declining each one. His composed exterior hints at his skill in maintaining control, yet cracks begin to show as the calls persist.
Meanwhile, Hee-joo faces her own battles at home. Her controlling mother-in-law demands she quit her interpreter job, insisting she embrace her role as the future First Lady. Hee-joo’s mother, eager to secure her daughter’s social standing, pressures her to make Sa-eon fall in love with her. Hee-joo, overwhelmed by their expectations, sighs and leaves, seeking a reprieve. However, her day takes a terrifying turn when her car’s system is hacked, throwing her into a panic.
At the same time, Sa-eon begins receiving calls from a mysterious number but brushes them off as unimportant. It’s only when the kidnapper infiltrates Hee-joo’s car and calls Sa-eon directly that he picks up. The kidnapper threatens to kill Hee-joo, but Sa-eon, assuming it’s a prank, coldly tells him to go ahead and cuts the call. Hee-joo, devastated by her husband’s indifference, is left to fend for herself. In a desperate attempt to escape, she speeds her car into a collision, knocking the kidnapper unconscious. Shaken but determined, Hee-joo escapes, taking the kidnapper’s phone with her.
Back at home, Sa-eon begins to worry, realizing his wife might genuinely be in danger. However, upon seeing her return home safely, appearing composed after a shower, he relaxes. Unbeknownst to him, Hee-joo is hiding the truth about her harrowing experience, masking her disgust for the man she married.
The next day, Sa-eon takes Hee-joo to another international gathering. He instructs her to act solely as an interpreter, reinforcing their transactional relationship. During the event, as Hee-joo interprets Sa-eon’s words to foreign officials, he casually mentions how his wife is his “greatest weakness.” The comment enrages Hee-joo, but she remains professional.
Later, when the two are alone, Hee-joo confronts Sa-eon in sign language, accusing him of being ruthless and heartless. She insinuates he must have another woman in mind, someone he truly considers a weakness. Frustrated and emotional, she storms off to the restroom, tears streaming down her face.
Meanwhile, Sa-eon receives another call from the kidnapper’s number. This time, the caller taunts him with unnervingly accurate details about his private life. A flashback reveals the origins of Sa-eon and Hee-joo’s marriage—a contract forged out of convenience, with Sa-eon demanding complete privacy and forbidding Hee-joo from revealing herself as his wife in public.
As the call continues, Sa-eon’s calm exterior cracks. The caller’s knowledge of his life leaves him rattled. What he doesn’t realize is that the voice on the other end belongs to Hee-joo herself, who is using the kidnapper’s phone to pose as him. Her anger fuels her deception as she threatens Sa-eon, demanding he “leave his wife”—unknowingly referring to herself.
Sa-eon, unaware of the true identity of the caller, grows increasingly enraged. He vows to hunt down the kidnapper and ends the call. Hee-joo, realizing her ruse has worked, begins to panic. Though Sa-eon believes he’s dealing with a dangerous stranger, Hee-joo knows she’s walking a fine line between revenge and maintaining her fragile facade. The tension between the couple deepens as their secrets and betrayals intertwine, setting the stage for a thrilling unravelling of their complex relationship.
When The Phone Rings Episode 1 Review
The first episode of When the Phone Rings sets the stage for a gripping tale of deception, fractured relationships, and high-stakes drama. The episode masterfully introduces Baek Sa-eon and Hong Hee-joo, a couple whose marriage is a carefully constructed façade. Sa-eon’s poised demeanour as a political figure contrasts sharply with his cold indifference as a husband, while Hee-joo’s silent resilience masks her simmering anger and heartbreak. The show seamlessly intertwines political intrigue with personal turmoil, from Sa-eon’s commanding presence at press briefings to Hee-joo’s shocking kidnapping and daring escape. The tension is palpable throughout, with the mystery of the anonymous kidnapper adding an extra layer of suspense.
What makes this premiere particularly compelling is its nuanced character dynamics and layered storytelling. Chae Soo-bin delivers a standout performance as Hee-joo, her emotions speaking volumes despite her silence, while Yoo Yeon-seok perfectly captures Sa-eon’s duality. The episode’s pacing keeps viewers on edge, with each scene peeling back another layer of their fractured relationship. From Hee-joo’s cleverly orchestrated deception to Sa-eon’s growing paranoia, the episode leaves viewers eager to uncover the secrets lurking beneath their strained marriage. When the Phone Rings promises a thrilling mix of romance, mystery, and high-stakes drama, and this first episode does not disappoint.
When The Phone Rings is streaming on Netflix.