"Man don't make it too obvious" — Fans react to Baek Sa-eon fawning over Hee-joo in the latest 'When The Phone Rings' still cuts

The ongoing Korean drama When The Phone Rings has fans buzzing, especially after newly released still cuts showed Baek Sa-eon (played by Yoo Yeon-seok) looking at Hee-joo (Chae Soo-bin) with evident affection. On December 12, 2024, MBC Drama released new stills from the upcoming episodes 5 and 6. The images The stills came at a crucial point in the series, as the characters' tense relationship began to shift.

One of the When The Phone Rings still cuts depicted Baek Sa-eon, the president's chief spokesperson, arriving at the office cafeteria to join his team for lunch. While working for the President, Sa-eon never shared a meal with his team. However, it changed when his wife, Hee-joo, joined his office as the new deaf-and-mute interpreter.

Fans gushed at the new still cuts from When The Phone Rings and flooded social media. One fan highlighted how Bael Sa-eon evidently looks smitten by his own wife despite the fact that their relationship is hidden at his workplace. The individual wrote:

"Our spokesperson sir intentionally walked out of his office to eat with his wife in the restaurant, sitting in front of her, smiling a little at her, when his co-worker was there..like man don't make it too obvious, we know you're in love"

Fans speculated about Sa-eon's evolving feelings, with some questioning whether this newfound affection stemmed from guilt or genuine love. They noted how Baek Sa-eon followed Hee-joo everywhere "like a lost puppy" after she joined his team to work for the President.

"Saeon joining his team at heejoo's welcome dinner & not even taking his eyes off her bc its good for team building, right sir? definitely not bc sir wants to follow his wife like a lost puppy everywhere, we get you." one fan wrote.

"I like the way he looks at her. He just tries to contain himself. I'm waiting when he will explode all these emotions." another said.

"His jealousy and his secret love make the most explosive mixture. His moment of explosion will cause a tsunami in our hearts, and I couldn't be more ready for it!" one person wrote.

Others made the jest that since their coworkers were unaware of Baek Sa-eon and Hong Hee-joo's true connection in When The Phone Rings, they would initiate workplace gossip about their transit affairs.

"You two are husband-wife, and your coworkers didn't know abt it, but you guys can't stop smiling ear to ear like you're in love with each other. they're really intentionally started the 'cheating on his wife (with his wifey) rumor lmao," one fan mentioned.

"Imagine cheating on his wife with his very own wife. Baek Sa Eon.." another wrote.

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When The Phone Rings: What has happened so far till episode 4?

When The Phone Rings is a 12-episode drama airing on MBC and Netflix, based on the web novel The Number You Have Dialed. The story revolves around Baek Sa-eon, a presidential spokesperson, and Hong Hee-joo, a selectively mute sign-language interpreter. Their relationship, born out of a loveless arranged marriage, faces trials and revelations when Hee-joo is kidnapped.

Instead of rushing to save her, Sa-eon assumes the call is a scam, unknowingly setting off a chain of events that forces them to confront their hidden pasts and present truths.

Yoo Yeon-seok and Chae Soo-bin headline the cast, supported by Heo Nam-joon, Jang Gyu-ri, and others.

The first four episodes of When The Phone Rings have laid the groundwork for a story teeming with emotional and political complexity:

1. Episode 1: Hee-joo is kidnapped but manages to escape. She uses the kidnapper's phone to disguise her voice and blackmails Sa-eon to divorce her, revealing secrets about their marriage and his failed engagement to her sister, In-ah.
2. Episodes 2-3: Sa-eon learns about Hee-joo's struggles in their three-year marriage and faces pressure from his powerful father, Baek Eui-yong, who wants him to quit his job and join the family’s political endeavors.
3. Episode 4: The dynamic between Sa-eon and Hee-joo shifts when she calls him from the kidnapper's phone, demanding a divorce. Their interactions hint at buried affection, further complicated by Sa-eon discovering Hee-joo's ability to speak from police dashcam footage. Flashbacks reveal they’ve known each other for 20 years, adding depth to their connection.

The latest still cuts from When The Phone Rings, featuring a rare moment of warmth between the two, hint at a possible reconciliation or a deeper twist in the story.

Episodes 5 and 6 promise to delve deeper into the mystery surrounding Hee-joo’s kidnapping and her relationship with Sa-eon. Viewers are eager to see how the couple navigates their strained marriage while dealing with external threats and family pressures. With the drama nearing its halfway point, fans anticipate more revelations and emotional confrontations.

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When The Phone Rings is written by Kim Ji-woon (Melancholia) and co-directed by Park Sang-woo (The Forbidden Marriage). The drama airs on Fridays and Saturdays at 9:50 pm KST, with international streaming available on Netflix.