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The mystery surrounding the identity of the kidnapper in When The Phone Rings continues to grip viewers. It has become the center of heated online discussions. A new fan theory suggesting that the kidnapper is Baek Saeon, the real son of Baek Ui-yong and Shim Kyu-jin, has gone viral across social media platforms.
When The Phone Rings has captivated viewers with its intricate plot and enigmatic characters. The latest episodes have dropped subtle clues about the kidnapper's motives, sparking intense fan speculation.
Episode 4, the most recent installment of When The Phone Rings, also revealed a shocking twist: Baek Sa-eon, portrayed by Yoo Yeon-seok, is not the biological son of presidential candidate Baek Ui-yong and his wife, Shim Kyu-jin. This revelation has added another layer of intrigue to the unfolding drama.
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Supporters of this theory point to specific details, such as the kidnapper's familiarity with the family, and also reference the original novel the series is based on. One viewer took to X and wrote,
"according to the novel no the kidnapper is the original son baek saeon and it's his mother who is helping him in all these things."
"from novel beak saon is not legitimate son... the kidnapper is one who real son... if writer give reverse thing it will be this what you read.. lets see but still there is no change from novel story...yes situation change..," shared one viewer.
"Why does the kidnapper seems so mentally ill, childish but bold. A complete opposite of baek sae on, was he disposed because he's not great? I was wondering also, this more makes sense that it was hee jo and in ha's brother," an X user speculated.
Some fans have also theorized that the chairman’s deceased son might actually be the kidnapper. Online speculation has surged, especially following episode 4, which has introduced a series of cryptic clues.
While the son is believed to have died years ago, some fans suggest his death must have been faked. They point to the kidnapper’s actions, which seem to indicate a deep familiarity with the chairman’s family, making the son a plausible suspect.
"read a theory on reddit & it blew me away. Remember, in flashback they showed chairman lost his son in an accident? Theory says what if that son is kidnapper bc he got scar on his neck & that's why he keeps calling heejoo "unnie" and its inha helping him," a fan shared.
"bc she's only those people who know the truth of their marriage & this will justify why kidnapper said, he got same motive with heejoo for divorcing saeon bc inha wants him back," the fan theorized.
Another fan theory about When The Phone Rings gaining traction suggests that Ji Sang-woo, portrayed by Heo Nam-jun, might actually be the original Baek Sa-eon. This theory has also sparked excitement, with fans pointing to these intriguing details as potential clues linking Ji Sang-woo to the missing son.
"Wait maybe Ji sang woo is the real son! As he grew up in orphanage, loves seafood, solves arson mystery cases and know some secret with a boy from a palace!" one viewer speculated.
"Ji sang woo may not be the real son, but he is somehow related or knows something related to them . As they showed flashback of his childhood along with some other boy. Maybe that boy is real son and d!Ed. Jsw loves fml, as his character is non existent in webnovel, idk to expect," suggested this viewer.
When The Phone Rings: A troubled marriage faces crisis after kidnapping in new MBC drama
When The Phone Rings (Korean: 지금 거신 전화는) is a South Korean television series that began airing on MBC TV on November 22, 2024. It airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 pm (KST) on the MBC network and is also available for streaming on Netflix in select regions. The drama is based on the web novel The Number You Have Dialed (지금 거신 전화는) by Geon Eomul Nyeo (건어물녀).
The series is written by Kim Ji-woon and co-directed by Park Sang-woo and Wi Deuk-gyu. It stars Yoo Yeon-seok, Chae Soo-bin, Heo Nam-joon, and Jang Gyu-ri.
The synopsis of When The Phone Rings from Netflix reads:
"A rising politician and his mute wife’s strained marriage starts to unravel when a call from a kidnapper turns their world upside down."
The story of When The Phone Rings follows Baek Sa-eon and his wife, Hong Hui-ju. Baek Sa-eon (Yoo Yeon-seok) comes from a prestigious political family. He is the youngest presidential spokesman in Korea and has experience as a war correspondent, hostage negotiator, and main news anchor.
He married Hong Hui-ju (Chae Soo-bin) three years ago. Hui-ju is the second daughter of a newspaper owner. After an accident in her childhood, she lost her ability to speak and now works as a sign language interpreter.
Baek Sa-eon and Hong Hui-ju's marriage is arranged and has been devoid of communication for three years. They live together but remain strangers. Everything changes when Hui-ju is kidnapped by an unknown person, forcing them to confront their strained relationship.
Episode 5 of When the Phone Rings will air on MBC on December 6, 2024, at 9:50 pm (KST).
