There was a huge uproar amongst K-drama enthusiasts about MBC’s drama, When the Phone Rings. It started on a great note and discussions about the drama began during the very first week of airing. The main attraction of this drama was primarily the chemistry between the lead actors, Chae Soo Bin (I'm not a Robot, 2017) and Yoo Yeon Seok (Hospital Playlist, 2020). Additionally, the themes of the show, revolving around dark romance, thriller, and suspense, were very intriguing and always left viewers wanting more. Many even called it "Booktok-coded."
Amidst the hype, the show also had to delay a few of its episodes which started another wave of discussions.
The show kept the viewers hooked for a good three-fourths of its run, but the finale didn’t quite hit the mark. Apart from the fact that one of the scenes from the show apparently mocked the ongoing political crisis, the plot twist and the climax did not live up to the exceptional beginning and build-up.
The storyline started leaving many plot holes that viewers expected to be addressed. For instance, the story lacked a deeper insight into characters like Ji Sang Woo, played by Heo Nam Joon (Your Honor, 2024), and Hong In A, played by Han Jae Yi (Mask Girl, 2023). Instead, the narrative left them hanging while focusing on the main male lead’s past traumas. We also didn’t get to see much of how the relationship between the two main lead characters evolved since their childhood. The drama left viewers yearning for a solid conclusion, but it was far from what fans had hoped for.
On the other end, some fans defended the show whole-heartedly.
The performances, themes, and even the original soundtrack of the show grabbed everyone’s attention and stayed consistent until the end.
When the Phone Rings will be remembered as a drama that ignited high hopes but struggled to carry its brilliance to the finish line. But we can’t help but wonder whether it was the weight of its ambitious themes that caused the story to unravel.
It also makes us ask: Will future dramas pay attention to how discerning audiences are and change the way they craft and conclude their stories? What is your opinion on the climax of the show? Tell us in the comments below.