Sorry did you say you were kidnapped? How many times?

I apologise I’m advance for being a little rusty. It’s been a hot minute since I’ve reviewed in such depth and I need to get my bearings right.

If you hadn’t predicted from the start of this review, When The Phone Rings has kidnapping involved, to what extend I’ll be diving into it soon.

Before I get stuck in, I just want to drop a reminder that I’ve been watching K-Dramas for over 3 years now, and it still astonishes me how new series take over my heart, soul and fuel an addition like no other. Books were always a home to me, and still are, however K-Dramas – you are here to stay.

406, shall we begin?

When The Phone Rings wasn’t a drama on my radar. It was after seeing a few clips online and my sister saying people are claiming it’s ‘Wattpad’ coded that we chose to give it a go and see what the fuss is.

Fair to say Ep1 was not enough.

I was hooked the moment Paik Sa-eon (Yoo Yeon-seok) stepped out of his car and walked with pure confidence into the lavish event. As he glided in meeting Hong Hee-joo (Char Soo-bin) and we witness her skilled sign language with micro-expressions at play, I knew this drama would be something special.

Paik Sa-eon and Chae Soo-bin are in an arranged marriage. She has selective mutism since she was a child after a fatal accident. She works as an interpreter for a broadcasting station, meanwhile he’s the Presidents Spokesman. No one is aware she is his wife, as it was meant to be her sister Hong In-a, due to marry him.

As it can be seen, their parents had more at play that they would have wanted and so they live a life as chess pieces.

It’s hard to understand who they are from the first episode alone, but the mystery is strong enough, paired with the suspense that you keep wanting more.

During the first episode Hong Hee-joo’s car is hijacked and her kidnapped. Knife point in her own car while the kidnapper (Park Jae-Yoon) calls her husband. It’s shocking that he knows who that is and so while Paik Sa-eon is trying to burn out a huge fire quietly regarding hostages himself, he doesn’t believe the phone call. He says some harsh words that leave an imprint on Hee-joo and so our story begins.

Just how arranged was this marriage?

Our stars of the show truly are Yeon-seok and Soo-bin, respectively they capture their characters in an awe-inspiring way. Due to their marriage being arranged, and then living more so as roommates, they’re passing ships daily. Any interactions they do have, are done with such subtle expressions, if you blink you’d miss it.

Yoon Yeon-seok held his own, it was my first time seeing him lead a drama and my goodness, I hope it’s not my last. He was everything you could ever want in an Alpha male romantic lead. He was firm, daring, smooth and imperfect. Most of all, he cared, he may have done it quietly but his heart was big. I loved how Yeon-seok executed his character because I can’t imagine anyone doing a better job both visually (sex on legs) and emotionally (masked but on his sleeve too). A complicated mix but done with perfection. He was always an amber flag for me but soon became a little more green.

Now, Chae Soo-bin especially stole the show from start to end, her capability to connect to the audience when both doing only sign language and facial expressions, or speaking was loud. I felt everything Hee-joo did and wanted to root for her from the beginning.

After Hee-joo manages to save herself from the kidnapper she is in ownership of the kidnappers phone, which has an audio filter. It’s clear Hee-joo hasn’t been loved or cherished her whole life, she seems freedom. So in a spur of the moment (especially after her own husband’s harsh words of not caring about her kidnapping) she decides to use the phone in her favour. Threaten her husband into giving her a divorce (seeing as if she tries she’d owe him 2 billion won – not something she has to spare).

As our story continues we feel the tension rise, Paik Sa-eon is being threatened about his wife, his wife wants a divorce and well there is still a very real kidnapper on the loose. Once again, we have no idea where this story will go. (And I will keep my lips sealed on spoilers here).

See The Light

It would be remiss if I didn’t mention the OST. It does still amaze me that every K-Drama has its own original soundtrack, even if it is 2 songs.

Once again, the soundtrack bled perfectly into the drama. It held this edgy, unsettling vibe. I was reminded of Kill Me, Heal Me and how the leading track was a rap. It was so different but fit perfectly to the mood. That’s how See The Light is for When The Phone Rings.

The other songs compliment perfectly well too, and the cherry on top is from our leading man, Yoo Yeon-seok who closes the series with his raspy, sweet voice singing about how no matter when you need me, just Say My Name and I’ll be there for you. What a sweet end!!

Thriller or Romance?

At heart this drama is a thriller, but the romance is engrained in its every fibre. Without the arranged marriage and development of their love story, the thriller aspect wouldn’t feel as heightened as they do.

We have various face off situations, we root for Hee-joo and her freedom but fear what Pail Sa-eon will do when he uncovers she is the secret 406 kidnapper now. Meanwhile the real kidnapper is still a psycho at large and with the integration of the subplot and second leads Ji Sang-woo and Na You-ri who are uncovering a missing children orphanage case. There’s a lot of hanging thread, but we know it’s going to lead to an even more intense drama as each episode continues.

To the romance, we see a trickle of moments from the past, seeing as Sa-eon and Hee-joo have known each other for years, just how deep does this romance run? Or does it even exist?

I will state loud and clear that we have a happy ending. We get a lot more romance than you can imagine and Yoo Yeon-seok is one of my top-tier actors for kiss scenes. Whenever that man had to come and deliver a kiss or more…it felt like it would be his last breathing moment on earth.

Truly no better pairing could have happened and it’s a blessing to witness a drama (despite it’s wayward moments in plot – talking to you Ep12) it was executed beautifully. From the directing and editing, scenes were shot with interest, intrigue and tension. You were pulled in as a viewer and given a fresh take on what may be a re-uses trope.

The stars, from leads to supporting cast held their own and embellished the story. You loved them, you hated them. It felt like a real world and what more could you ask for in fiction.

When The Phone Rings, wasn’t meant to be something I picked up, but I’m very glad I did, as it left an impression and I know I’ll be thinking and feeling for it for days to come. (Just look at my Instagram and Twitter feed).