❝When the phone rings❞ — Review

𝐇𝐞𝐲, 𝐇𝐢𝐯𝐞

When the phone rings: dark romance is here to stay?

Did dark come to k-dramas? It was definitely there before, in series like Somebody, The Smile Has Left Your Eyes or Before We Get Married (thai). But it will undoubtedly be When the Phone Rings that will finally open the door wide for soft pink tones to become a thing of the past. Just as dark romance began to become popular in literature, it is making its way into different genres that now make everyone's heart tremble.

No doubt this genre has different levels of scales, and one must constantly evaluate when not to fall into gender violence, lack of consent or harassment. But that will be a job for writers, screenwriters and fans to draw the line on what to romanticize and what not to. In the meantime, the community of those who would rather have a villain destroy the world for them than a hero who lets them die to save the world is growing considerably, and those of us who have been on that rung for some time are left to enjoy it.

When the phone rings has just cleared a path on the currently largest streaming platform. No matter how many complaints Netflix has, netizens keep adding to their subscription because of the great diversity of their catalog; I really consider that their best bet has been to add k-dramas of various genres, because now people from European and American culture have begun to leave behind the prejudice that Asian productions are only romances.

This k-drama was premiered last November 22, reaching a rather fast popularity among viewers and closing with a flourish the 2024 premieres. Starring Yoo Yeon-seok and Chae Soo-bin, plus the acting of up-and-comers Heo Nam-jun and Choi Woo-jin, it became a total hit. With a total of 12 episodes of an estimated length of 1h5m, it is a South Korean series based on a web novel of the same original title written by Geon Eomul Nyeo that tells the story of Baek Sa-eon, Korea's presidential spokesman, who keeps his wife out of the media spotlight after reaching marriage by a nuptial agreement. But their relationship and secrets are exposed after Hong Hee-joo is kidnapped and threatened by someone who seems to know all their secrets.

Plot

This intriguing k-drama combines elements of romance, mystery and psychological thriller, capturing the viewer's attention from the very first episode. The series focuses on the lives of two main characters who share a marriage behind the political and social spotlight and whose destinies intertwine in unexpected ways since their youth. Sparks of a terse romance begin to fly when after a kidnapping, Hong Hee-joo is left with a mysterious phone that can only call her husband, Baek Sa-eon, whom she begins to threaten into giving her a divorce.

All that is the first layer of the plot, because in the thicker waters the story of a psychotic child who was erased from the existence of a wealthy family so as not to ruin the political plans of climbing to the presidency is unfolding. While we have a secondary character, Ji Sang-woo, an empathetic psychiatrist who is a youtuber and tackles mysterious cases, but his penchant for investigating unsolved cases causes him to end up involved in an irreversible incident that has been haunting him.

Those are the simplest themes to express without falling into spoilers, but the number of small branches in the plot cast a shadow during the twilight; and the return of people from the past will make our protagonists' situation become more complicated.

Characters

Hong Hee-joo is a well-developed character who reflects the inner struggle of many people who cling to waiting for emotional change from the people they hold dear. Her evolution throughout the series is remarkable, as she goes from a submissive and indifferent woman to someone who takes control of her life and decides to fight for what she truly wants. Her determination is inspiring, making her a protagonist that many can identify with. I also found it very touching that she decided to show her emotions, as she was someone who silently endured everything; which gives value to the fact that you can go for anything, but it doesn't mean you're going to hold back.

Baek Sa-eon, played by a charismatic actor who I really, really like —I highly recommend his work in Hospital Corridors—, adds an extra layer of complexity to the narrative. His personal story is marked by guilt and a desire for redemption, making him a multidimensional character. The relationship between Sa-eon and Hee-joo is an exciting thread that provides both tension and tenderness throughout the series, especially as Sa-eon gives us all the indifferent villain vibes but would actually fall to his knees for his wife.

The supporting characters also play a crucial role in the plot, bringing different perspectives and contributing to the unfolding mystery and all the secrets that are revealed chapter by chapter. From loyal friends to intriguing antagonists, each has their own story that intertwines with that of the protagonists, enriching the overall narrative. Making strong strides in highlighting characters from others, highlighting Park Do-jae who helps Sa-eon in everything and builds trust, and Ji Sang-woo who spices up a possible love triangle and fans the flames of intrigue.

Opinion

I really recommend it, I felt a dip in my full attention when I got to chapters 8 and 9 but I think it was the fault of the wait, as I watched it on air. As can happen to any production there are some plot holes or parts that don't follow the natural logic, but they were necessary to give closure to the story. If the secrets and mystery surrounding a romantic relationship make you think in detail, this could be your next bet.