"Never knew how emotional a proposal could be"- Yoo Yeon-seok reflects on Baek Sa-eon's proposal from Hee-joo & When the Phone Rings’ kiss scene

Actor Yoo Yeon-seok recently opened up about his role as Baek Sa-eon in the MBC drama When the Phone Rings. In an interview with South Korean media outlet Joy News 24, Yoo Yeon-seok shared his thoughts on some of the series' most memorable moments.

These included the drama's much-discussed kiss sequences and a standout scene when Hee-joo proposed to Baek Sa-eon. Reflecting on the proposal scene, Yoo Yeon-seok said:

"After receiving a proposal from Hee-joo, they kiss. It was the first time receiving a proposal from a female character, so I cried. I thought, 'This is what it feels like to cry when receiving a proposal.'"

The When the Phone Rings actor then added further:

"It was even more so because Hee-joo confessed to him (Baek Sa-eon) after learning about his situation. I said, 'I guess I've lived like this to meet someone like you.' That line and the kiss scene were memorable."

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Yoo Yeon-seok reflects on When the Phone Rings and prepares for his next role in a comedy

In the interview with Joy News 24, published on January 6, 2025, Yoo Yeon-seok talked about his character Baek Sa-eon in the recently concluded MBC drama When the Phone Rings. Baek Sa-eon is a complex character—an ambitious presidential spokesperson who hides his love for his wife Hee-joo, behind a cold demeanor.

Despite his cold demeanor, Baek Sa-eon fiercely protected her. Yoo Yeon-seok highlighted his character’s evolution, showcasing elements of romance, comedy, action, and thriller as the story unfolded. Speaking about his role, the actor described Baek Sa-eon as a man of "great pure love" who fiercely protects his wife while grappling with his vulnerabilities.

The drama received widespread acclaim both domestically and internationally. Yoo Yeon-seok expressed gratitude for the unexpected love from overseas viewers. He shared that reading their positive comments made the challenges of filming worthwhile.

Baek Sa-eon’s dialogues in When the Phone Rings became a major talking point. Viewers praised their emotional depth and delivery. Yoo Yeon-seok acknowledged the difficulty of bringing such lines to life. He worked diligently to ensure audiences could fully connect with the characters and scenes.

"When I read it in print or as a script, it seemed like lines from a romance comic book, but when I filmed it, the emotions were ripe [...] If I felt unfamiliar, the viewers wouldn't be able to immerse themselves, so I tried to say them faithfully when filming," said the When the Phone Rings lead actor.

Reflecting on the final episode of When the Phone Rings, Yoo Yeon-seok recalled an emotional scene where Baek Sa-eon reunited with Hee-joo. The moment was deeply moving for him, as it captured his character’s feelings of guilt and love. The drama featured several memorable kissing scenes, which Yoo Yeon-seok approached with precision and preparation.

"It's important to know why you're kissing. You can film it emotionally, but it has to match well with each other like an action scene. I worry a lot about things like the angle of the face or the position of the camera. I don't say, 'Just do whatever your emotions lead you to.' I prepare and film it as if it were an action scene. That's why I think they like it," he said.

Two kissing scenes stood out for the actor in When the Phone Rings. The first occurred after Hee-joo proposed to him, which was the first time he filmed a proposal by a female character. The second took place during their reunion in Argan.

"I thought, 'The writer is giving me homework. ' There was also the situation of the Cold War countries, so I wondered if it would be well-expressed, but when we were filming, those lines were so emotional," he said.

Yeon-seok added, "I felt sorry and guilty toward Hee-joo. After I found out everything, I couldn't look Hee-joo in the eye properly. I said those lines while feeling that way, and I think they really touched my heart."

The show’s ending in episode 12 surprised viewers with a romantic scene symbolizing the couple’s first night together. Yoo Yeon-seok emphasized its importance, portraying the intimacy of a couple who had been married for three years but were only now truly united in love.

"Their first night at Argan was their true first night, I wanted their love scene to be memorable, beautiful, and truly passionate. I couldn't have it seem like a fleeting kiss scene," he said.

To create a memorable and passionate love scene, Yoo Yeon-seok shared that he collaborated closely with his co-star, cinematographer, and director. He focused on crafting a visually impactful moment without relying on excessive skin exposure.

The actor shared a lighthearted anecdote about seeing fans cheering for the scene, with their reactions even uploaded online.

Following the When the Phone Rings’s conclusion, Yoo Yeon-seok plans to take a short break before starting his next project. He revealed that his upcoming role will be in a comedy.

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Following the success of When the Phone Rings, Yoo Yeon-seok gears up for supernatural drama God and law firm

On September 30, 2024, SPOTV News revealed that Yoo Yeon-seok might join SBS's upcoming drama God and Law Firm. He is expected to star alongside Esom. The drama will be directed by Shin Jung-hoon, known for One Dollar Lawyer (2022) and Seoul Busters (2024).

God and Law Firm is a supernatural legal series. It centers on a lawyer with the unique ability to see ghosts.

The drama is slated for release in the second half of 2025. Filming is expected to begin early next year after casting and pre-production are finalized.