"Phone owner's fallin love, so does the phone case"- Fans react to subtle storytelling and tense plot in When the Phone Rings episode 9 pre-release

On December 26, 2024, through their Korean YouTube channel, Netflix unveiled a 1-minute 38-second pre-release clip from episode 9 of When the Phone Rings, which captivated fans with its intricate storytelling and attention to detail.

The scene opened with Baek Sa-eon waking up in a hospital bed, seemingly worn down and distressed. His phone revealed a series of worried messages from Hee-joo, showing her growing concern about his whereabouts the night before.

The text messages, starting with simple questions like "Are you still at work?" quickly escalated to a more urgent tone: "Why aren't you home yet?" and "Why can't I reach you?" Through these moments, Baek Sa-eon recalled a promise made to Hee-joo in the office elevator to return home early.

The subtle storytelling went further with visual details that fans were quick to notice. The heart-shaped pop-holder on Hee-joo's phone case drew symbolic interpretations, as the name change in Baek Sa-eon's contacts from "Hong Hee-joo" to "Hee-joo," reflecting an evolving closeness. One fan wrote:

"The phone owner’s fallin love, so does the phone case 🤍"

"baek saeon changed her saved contact name from hong heejoo -> heejoo 😭 2 weeks ago: “hong heejoo” now: “heejoo”" pointed out one fan.

"baek saeon changed her saved contact name from hong heejoo to heejoo after the confession🥹😭😭 and now he just found out how much he means to Heejoo right after he woke up from the brink of death," commented one netizen.

"Baek Seon changed Hong Hee Joo's name from the phone book to Hee Joo and saved it. If you changed it to "wife", we would go higher for you, my love," said another fan.

Fans also noted the contrasting hospital rooms in the series. Baek Sa-eon’s current setting was comparably smaller than the room where Hee-joo was seen previously in the series after her fall from the cliff.

"THE DIFFERENCE... heejoo's hospital room was vvip with adjustable bed, while saeon just using the standart room with standart bed... the way heejoo always getting the best treatment ever i-," wrote another viewer of When the Phone Rings.

"He treat his wife like a queen" said another individual on X.

Fans have been buzzing about the pre-release clip, pointing out the subtle yet impactful details. They also praised the emotional buildup.

"So, in the 3 years we thought they were living totally separate lives under 1 roof, they actually still had couple dynamics like telling each other if they’ll be home late," another X user said.

"It always seems that no matter what,he did let her know his whereabouts. Like when his office explosion happened,she was anxious and tried contacting,this time their feelings for each other, not hidden,so she is more vocal," remarked one X user.

"their relationship may look cold & not normal but they never failed to keep in touch with each other. They even know each other's habits. In her own VO, Heejoo said that this has never happened before, not like usual," added another viewer of When the Phone Rings.

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Baek Sa-eon in hospital as Hee-joo sends worried messages in When the Phone Rings episode 9 pre-release

Netflix’s pre-released clip for Episode 9 of When the Phone Rings, unveiled on December 26, 2024, opens with Baek Sa-eon regaining consciousness in a hospital bed. The daylight streams in, revealing a somber and reflective mood.

He picks up his phone to find a flood of messages from Hee-joo, starting with casual concerns such as:

"Are you still at work?", "Will you be late?", and "You said you'd come early.",

The tone shifts as the texts grow more urgent:

"can't reach you. Are you busy?", "Why can't I reach you?", "It's past 11 p.m.", "Why aren't you home yet?", "And you're not picking up."

The tension deepens when Sa-eon discovers voice messages from Hee-joo. As he listens, the scene cuts to the previous night, showing Hee-joo seated alone in her dining room, recording the messages. Her voice trembles with worry as she asks:

“Where are you? Where are you? Is something wrong?"

Hearing her words, Sa-eon is reminded of his promise to return home early, made just the day before in the office elevator. Hee-joo’s messages continue, her distress palpable:

"This has never happened before. You always let me know if you're not coming home. No matter how late, you always slept at home. You said you wouldn't be late. So, why aren't you home?"

The preview builds tension and emotion, leaving viewers eager to uncover the events that follows.

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When the Phone Rings: Baek Sa-eon and Hee-joo’s journey in recent episodes

Premiering on MBC TV on November 22, 2024, When the Phone Rings (Korean: 지금 거신 전화는) airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 pm KST and is also available for streaming on Netflix in select regions.

Directed by Park Sang-woo and Wi Deuk-gyu, and written by Kim Ji-woon, the drama stars Yoo Yeon-seok as Baek Sa-eon, South Korea's youngest presidential spokesman. Chae Soo-bin plays his wife, Hong Hee-joo, a mute sign language interpreter.

The story focuses on Sa-eon and Hee-joo’s arranged marriage. Their emotionally distant relationship is tested when Hee-joo is kidnapped. As secrets unravel, they confront hidden truths and feelings.

In recent episodes of When the Phone Rings, Sa-eon learns that Hee-joo is behind the blackmailer "406." This revelation leads to their reconciliation, and they finally open up about their feelings for one another.

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Episodes 9 and 10 of When the Phone Rings will air on MBC on December 27 and 28 at 9:50 pm KST, with Netflix streaming them an hour later.