The Number You Have Dialed (2024)

Wattpad-y type of drama but executed well

This drama brought on so many wattpad and fanfiction tropes that I savored when I was a teenager. Marriage contract, cohabitation, and giving kinda enemy to lover vibe with the wicked family history plot. The first hald was fun and intriguing, it's been a long time since we have a drama with cliche plots but somehow still running pretty well.

The second half, not so much. Maybe because of the limited episodes, some scenes felt "jumped". I knew it was based on a manhwa and this was a work of fiction, but sometimes it just didn't make any sense. And for me, ep 12 was a let down, only their steamy scenes made up for it.

No complaints on the actors acting, Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae Soobin potrayed their roles well, and the others are fine too. Overall, just a fun drama and you didn't need to use your brain which was kinda the point.

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ENJOYABLE, but a bit makjang

Baek Sa Eon is a typical K-drama male lead—cold and stiff on the outside, but with a heart full of warmth for the female lead. I wasn’t a fan of him at first due to the lack of communication between him and Hee Joo. I know he did it to “protect” her, but still, it was unhealthy.

That said, the romance developed at a reasonable pace, as did the mystery, so I was invested in the story and rooting for both leads to end up together.

Aside from the last two episodes, the series was pretty enjoyable, especially for those who like a little bit of makjang and don’t nitpick small details. There were a lot of twists, and by episode 10, I was starting to feel exhausted. When Sa Eon decided to go MIA without any explanation, leaving Hong Hee Joo confused and waiting all by herself, I lost interest. I ended up skipping a lot of scenes.

Eventually, Hong Hee Joo tracked him down by visiting the foundation Sa Eon had donated his money to. She ended up in a conflict zone—a reckless move, to be honest—and, of course, she got captured. Cue Baek Sa Eon swooping in to rescue her—so BBF-coded.

I really want to commend Chae Soo Bin for her sign language skills. It’s clear she put in a lot of hard work. I’m sure it wasn’t easy to learn and memorize, but she comes across as both comfortable and convincing. I’ve seen a drama before where the male lead used sign language, but it didn’t feel authentic at all. That’s why I especially want to applaud her dedication and performance.

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L'episode finale ?

Tout le monde parlait de When the Phone Rings, décrivant ce drama comme absolument parfait. Curieuse, je me suis lancée, et au début, j'ai vraiment apprécié. J'ai trouvé l'idée que la femme cache qu'elle peut parler très intrigante et bien exploitée.

Cependant, à mi-parcours, mon enthousiasme a commencé à s’effriter. Je me suis surprise à m'ennuyer, sans trop savoir pourquoi.

L’histoire des trois morts : Pour moi, ces événements n'apportent rien de réellement pertinent au récit. J’ai même fini par avancer ces scènes tellement elles me semblaient inutiles.

La fin : Je pense que les scénaristes ne savaient plus comment conclure le drama. Une fin simple, où l’ennemi est enfin éliminé, aurait suffi. Ajouter qu’il disparaît mystérieusement, suivi par l’héroïne qui le rejoint, était, selon moi, totalement superflu. Cette conclusion m’a vraiment déçue, surtout après un début aussi prometteur.

Les scènes gênantes


Globalement, When the Phone Rings avait du potentiel, mais il s’est perdu en cours de route. Entre une intrigue mal exploitée, des rebondissements superflus, et une fin bâclée, je ne peux pas dire que je le recommanderais. C’est dommage, car le début laissait présager un drama de qualité.

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No me emocionó

Historia
Creo que lo que más me gustó de la historia fue el lenguaje de señas. Lo destacable, lo encantador fue eso. Pero lo demás...
No sé si fue porque tenía expectativas muy altas. Pero no me emocionó el romance, tampoco ayudaba que varias situaciones lo sentí exagerado como reaccionaban. (Lo del celular y el "engaño") Tampoco todo lo que se sintió grave o momentos que podía "llorar" senti que se terminaba muy rápido. Pasaba algo y se resolvía inmediatamente sin una grave consecuencia. (Los dientes, lo del acantilado) Todo eso, hizo que al final no me interesaba lo que sucediera con ellos.
Y ni hablar del villano. Demasiado estereotipado con sus características físicas.
Llegado al final se siente largo, (ya quería que terminara) tiene 12 capítulos pero siento que se necesitan menos. Y eso me quedo claro en los capítulos finales...
¿Pero que necesidad de seguir con el drama cuando la trama del asesino culminó?
El final me saco de onda totalmente, es verdad que el amor te hace hacer locuras. Las protagonista lo demostró al caminar en zona invadida de rebeldes como si fuera un paseo por el parque y tener una discusión de pareja. (Grita más fuerte, dale, el guión te respalda) Y luego... ¿realmente hacerlo ahí es el mejor lugar?
Me agrada el suspenso, pero al final no me terminaba de convencer como se desarrollaban las escenas. Pero admito que esos secretos y giros de trama me gustaron.
Casi todo el k-drama estuve entretenida pero sin sentir emoción, tampoco senti esa necesidad de tener que ver otro capítulo, y esas ansias por querer ver más. (Llegando al final, me preguntaba cuando faltaba para que terminara)

Actuación/elenco
Me encanta la actriz es adorable, pero en el principio aunque ame su papel después no me gusto tanto. Lo del engaño del teléfono y que seguía dispuesta a enfrentar su castigo. (¿Soy solo yo que no lo vi tan grave?) Y después al final parecía la damisela en apuros. Lo que hace el amor (?
Me gustaron los demás actores, nada especial que decir.

Musica
Me gusto mucho el OST.

Valor de repetición
Empezó bien. No obstante, la tensión y todo eso, se esfumó al dejar pasar un romance rosa. Vi reacciones exageradas y no me despertó emociones con el romance principal. Al final demasiado drama, con giros y secretos bastante interesantes pero que se extendió demasiado.

Todo lo que comento es subjetivo pero no la miraría otra vez. Y si pudiera no la hubiera visto para empezar, me deje llevar por las calificaciones altas (que están bajando por la controversia del capítulo final) aunque lastimosamente parece que las reseñas solo se guían por eso y no hacen una valoración correcta en el sentido de haber visto todo el k-drama, eso es decepcionante.
En fin, creía que iba a amar este k-drama, pero me equivoque.

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First ten Episodes are watchable but damn those last two episodes

"When the Phone Rings" is a thrilling romance that follows the complex relationship between a spokesman and a sign language interpreter who struggles with selective mutism—an aspect of her character that adds depth to the story, though revealing more would spoil the surprise. Three years into their marriage, they are anything but a typical couple; their communication is virtually non-existent, and their relationship remains hidden from the public eye, leaving her unable to openly acknowledge him as her husband.

The tension escalates when she is kidnapped, and her husband dismisses the call about her abduction, thinking it’s a scam or voice phishing. Fortunately, she manages to escape, taking with her the phone used by the kidnapper to issue threats and demand a divorce. This twist sets the stage for a powerful moment of reclaiming agency through blackmail, showcasing a side of her that starkly contrasts with the innocent persona we’ve come to know.

While the setup and premise of the drama are strong, I found her attempts at making threat calls to be somewhat lacking. It felt like she was playing a risky game without a solid backup plan, which, while entertaining, made me question her choices.

The initial episodes are beautifully intense and thrilling, capturing my attention, but as the story progressed, it began to feel a bit underwhelming for me personally.

This review reflects my personal experience, and I recognize that opinions on the show may vary widely.


There are definitely aspects of "When the Phone Rings" that I really enjoy. For starters, I absolutely love the male lead, Yoo Yeonsook. Typically, I find tsundere male leads a bit overdone, but he brings something special to the role. He embodies his character so well that I often find myself swooning whenever he appears on screen. He has that aura reminiscent of a classic Wattpad character, and his presence and dialogue make him truly engaging. His character is fascinating—not your typical green flag or red flag, but rather a complex grey. Like many male leads, he has a backstory that shapes who he is, but I won’t go into that to avoid spoilers. His character is definitely one of the highlights for me.

Another standout is the female lead, Chae Soobin. She portrays an innocent character forced to live without a voice, which is compelling in itself. What I really appreciate is that she isn’t just a damsel in distress. We get to see a fiery side of her when she makes those intimidating phone calls, and I wish that aspect of her personality had lasted longer or transitioned more into her physical character. Some might see her as weak, but to me, she’s not. She’s someone who yearns to find her place in the world. With a difficult upbringing and a complicated relationship with her mother, she just wants to belong, and it’s heartwarming to see how she lights up when she finally finds that sense of belonging.

The acting is also a stand out element... the leads deliver such nuanced performances that every glance and subtle expression resonates deeply. Their chemistry is palpable and feels so genuine, making their interactions incredibly engaging. The way their relationship evolves from enemies to lovers is refreshing, especially with the added layer of an arranged marriage.

The phone calls serve as a unique form of therapy for both characters, allowing them to open up in ways that push their relationship forward. It’s heartwarming to see how they begin to understand each other better, breaking down the walls that initially separated them. The development of their bond is the drama's heartbeat, and even if the thriller aspect were removed, the romance alone could carry the story effortlessly.

The direction and transitions are expertly crafted, enhancing the emotional depth of the narrative. The original soundtrack complements the scenes perfectly, adding an extra layer of emotion that elevates the viewing experience.

Now, while "When the Phone Rings" has its strengths, there are definitely some aspects that leave much to be desired. The thriller element, which should ideally add suspense and intrigue, often feels disjointed from the romance. It’s almost as if the drama is trying to juggle two separate narratives, one focusing on the romantic development and the other on the thriller plot. While I appreciate the attempts to weave in the male lead's backstory, it sometimes feels like a distraction rather than an integral part of the story, making me wish for a more cohesive approach.

Another significant drawback is the portrayal of the second leads. Their characters and motivations seem out of place, especially since they weren't part of the original webtoon. This lack of integration makes their storylines feel forced, and I found myself skipping through their scenes, as they didn't resonate with me at all. Their investigations, while seemingly connected to the main plot, often lack clarity in motivation, which detracts from the overall flow of the drama.

Overall, "When the Phone Rings" leaves me with mixed feelings. There are moments of excitement, but they are often overshadowed by the inconsistencies in the narrative. I appreciate that the show is limited to 12 episodes, as it prevents unnecessary dragging and maintains a tighter storyline. It’s an interesting watch, but it could have benefitted from a more focused approach to both its romance and thriller elements.

The last two episodes of the series were truly a disappointment, and not in a way that was entertaining. It felt like the writer had lost touch with the story, leading to a plot that was both confusing and frustrating. The constant recycling of scenes became tiresome, and the supposedly intelligent characters made decisions that were completely out of character, which was jarring to watch.

The introduction of the argan war zone plot felt like a forced twist that took up almost 40 minutes of the finale, and it seemed disconnected from the overall drama of the series. The male lead’s disappearance due to his "noble idiocracy" and his delayed return after half a year felt unrealistic. When he finally reached out to the female lead, it was hard to believe she would run into a war-torn country only to get kidnapped again. Their heart-to-heart talk and the rushed make-out scene while being chased felt poorly timed, and the subsequent bed scene seemed like a desperate attempt to rekindle the romance.

Despite the initial addiction to the series, the spark has faded significantly. While the characters themselves were interesting and the chemistry between the leads was a highlight, the lack of character development and the flawed script overshadowed the acting, which remained strong throughout. Overall, the last two episodes extinguished any remaining excitement I had for the series.

Anyways I appreciate the acting, the interesting characters who could have been properly developed or utilised, the maiznf chemistry between the leads the sensual kiss scenes and maybe the osts.

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Best Drama

The writing in this drama really stands out, crafting a storyline packed with unexpected twists that keep the audience on their toes. The characters are well-developed, each adding their own emotional layers to the narrative. Their connected stories create a rich tapestry of human experiences, exploring themes like love, betrayal, guilt, and hope. While the pacing is mostly steady, there are times it slows down to give space for deeper character exploration.

The cast shines with remarkable performances, especially the leads, who bring their characters to life with genuine emotion and subtlety. The cinematography perfectly captures the series' haunting yet heartfelt vibe, using smart lighting and sound to build tension. Plus, the music score really boosts the emotional impact of pivotal moments, leaving a memorable moment. Best Drama…

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