MBC’s Friday-Saturday drama 'When the Phone Rings' is taking the spotlight with its strong ratings and captivating storyline.
The seventh episode, aired on December 20, recorded nationwide ratings of 6.0% and a metropolitan area rating of 5.1% (Nielsen Korea, household standard). The episode ended with a heart-stopping moment as Yoo Yeon-seok’s character confessed and kissed Chae Soo-bin, finally revealing his true feelings. This scene left viewers abuzz with excitement.
The episode delved deeper into the evolving relationship between the two protagonists. Baek Sa-eon (played by Yoo Yeon-seok) rescued Hong Hee-joo (played by Chae Soo-bin) after finding her unconscious in the mountains and cared for her with heartfelt dedication. He even washed and dried her hair, a gesture that left Hee-joo both flustered and touched. When she questioned his actions, he nonchalantly replied, “Isn’t this what husbands do?” His sincerity shook her resolve, creating a tender yet electrifying dynamic between them.
The episode also advanced the mystery surrounding the antagonist. Hee-joo sneaked out of her hospital room with the kidnapper’s phone and relayed critical clues to Sa-eon over the line. Sa-eon later shared details about the suspect during a public broadcast, describing him as “185 cm tall, with odd-eye, smelling of fish, and stuttering when agitated.” This appeal for information intrigued audiences, adding tension to the storyline.
In another pivotal scene, Hee-joo received a threatening call from the kidnapper demanding the return of the phone. Paralyzed by fear, she sobbed in her room until Sa-eon’s arrival provided her much-needed comfort. Hee-joo promised, “I won’t let you fight alone anymore,” signaling a turning point in their partnership.
A lighter, romantic moment unfolded at an amusement park, where Sa-eon waited for Hee-joo near the carousel. Sharing ice cream and enjoying rides, the two briefly escaped their tense reality. On the rooftop of the park, Sa-eon confessed his feelings, saying, “Tell me how not to fall in love with Hong Hee-joo,” before kissing her in a passionate conclusion.
Following the broadcast, viewers took to Naver Talk to share their enthusiasm, with comments such as “I can’t sleep because of this drama! It’s so thrilling,” “I’m completely hooked,” “Chae Soo-bin’s acting is so charming,” “The pacing finally picked up, and it was worth the wait,” “Even knowing the original web novel’s plot, it’s still exciting to watch,” and “This OST fits the kiss scene perfectly,” highlighting the drama’s growing popularity, which is further evidenced by its global success, ranking in Netflix’s Top 10 for the week of December 9–15 with 86.4 million hours watched and 12.6 million views.
'When the Phone Rings' is a romantic thriller based on a popular Kakao Page web novel. The story revolves around Baek Sa-eon, the youngest-ever spokesperson for the presidential office, and his wife Hong Hee-joo, a sign language interpreter. Their seemingly perfect life is upended by a mysterious blackmail call, leading them into a web of secrets and danger. The drama airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 p.m.