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MBC's drama When the Phone Rings has gained massive local and global success. Adapted from the Kakao Page web novel The Number You Have Dialed by Geon-eo-mul-nyeo, the show has boosted interest in the original novel and its new webtoon, creating strong synergy within Kakao Entertainment’s IP ecosystem.
Amid the growing popularity of the drama When the Phone Rings, Geon-eo-mul-nyeo, the writer of the original web novel, expressed her admiration for the adaptation in an interview with imBC News. She commended Yoo Yeon-seok and Chae Soo-bin for their performances, noting that they brought their characters to life with "200% synchronization." saying,
"The synchronization rate of Yoo Yeon-seok and Chae Soo-bin's original characters is 200%."
Praising Yoo Yeon-seok specifically, who portrayed the male protagonist Baek Sa-eon, the youngest spokesperson for the presidential office, she remarked,
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"Now when I read the original, I can hear Yoo Yeon-seok's voice. The 'Baek Sa-eon' in the drama, which is more refined than the original, feels sexier." On Yoo’s portrayal, she also added, "He looks cold and indifferent as if he’s trying not to let his wife know he’s in love, but he’s just like ‘Baek Sa-eon’ with his deep eyes that he can’t hide, and his low, resonant voice."
She also praised Chae Soo-bin for flawlessly embodying the character of Hong Hee-joo, the sign language interpreter and wife of Baek Sa-eon, stating,
“Her rabbit-like face, frightened expression, and somewhat clumsy threats are all exactly as I imagined the Hong Hee-joo I was writing about. It’s like a real-life version of Hong Hee-joo.”
The drama's adaptation of When the Phone Rings also introduced new characters. This included Ji Sang-woo played by Heo Nam-joon, a psychiatrist and Hong Hee-joo’s college senior, and Na Yu-ri played by Jang Gyu-ri, a popular announcer and Baek Sa-eon’s admirer. The writer commended these additions, stating,
Since its November 2023 premiere, the drama has gained immense popularity, topping TV-OTT drama rankings and Netflix's Top 10 in 78 countries. It also reached second place overall on Netflix, according to Fundex and FlixPatrol. Despite a recent cancellation, it remains popular, ranking second globally and in the Top 10 in 48 countries on Netflix's Non-English TV Shows list as of December 11.
The drama's success has greatly boosted the original web novel, with views increasing fivefold and sales rising 14.6 times since the show's release, making it the top daily web novel on Kakao Page.
The webtoon also saw a 3.6-fold rise in views and a 6.9-fold jump in sales before the drama's premiere, now ranking second in Kakao Page's Romance Webtoon Weekly Rankings. These figures compare two-week periods before and after the drama aired.
When the Phone Rings: A thrilling drama of secrets and suspense unfolds in an arranged marriage
When the Phone Rings (Korean: 지금 거신 전화는) is an ongoing South Korean television series that premiered on MBC TV on November 22, 2024. The drama airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 PM (KST) and is also available for streaming on Netflix in select regions.
When the Phone Rings, written by Kim Ji-woon and co-directed by Park Sang-woo and Wi Deuk-gyu, features a talented cast, including Yoo Yeon-seok, Chae Soo-bin, Heo Nam-joon, and Jang Gyu-ri.
This suspenseful drama follows a couple in their third year of an arranged marriage whose lives are upended by a mysterious and threatening phone call. Yoo Yeon-seok stars as Baek Sa-eon, a presidential spokesperson from a prestigious political family, and Chae Soo-bin plays his wife, Hong Hee-joo, a sign language interpreter with selective mutism caused by a childhood accident. Their journey reveals secrets and danger as the story unfolds.
Their marriage is arranged for convenience, and the couple has lived together for three years as distant strangers. However, everything changes when Hong Hee-joo is unexpectedly kidnapped by an unknown assailant. This turn of events completely alters the dynamics of their relationship and sets off a series of life-altering events.
Episodes 5 and 6 of When the Phone Rings, initially scheduled for December 6 and 7, 2024, have been postponed due to recent political events in South Korea related to President Yoon Suk-yeol.
The revised air dates for these episodes are now set for December 13 (Friday) at 9:40 PM (KST) and December 14 (Saturday) at 9:50 PM (KST).
