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Fans of the Netflix drama When the Phone Rings were delighted by an unexpected moment in the latest episodes, released on December 20-21, 2024. A scene featuring Hong Hee-joo (played by Chae Soo-bin) imagining a happy life with her husband Baek Sa-eon (played by Yoo Yeon-seok) caught viewers’ attention—not for the leads, but for their adorable companion.
The dog in the scene turned out to be none other than Yoo Yeon-seok's real-life pet, Rita, making her first appearance on TV. The moment depicted Hee-joo imagining herself and Baek Sa-eon enjoying a stroll in the park with their pet dog.
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Fans quickly recognized the dog as Rita, thanks to Yoo Yeon-seok’s frequent Instagram posts featuring his pet. Social media lit up with reactions as fans expressed their excitement over Rita’s “drama debut” and even congratulated her online. An X user, @Yeonseok411_IFC, wrote:
"Dear #Rita, congrats on you drama debut!"
Others joined in to talk about the brief appearance of Rita on When the Phone Rings' set.
"the beauty of this scene is the fact they used rita and they're giving a real family now. what if mata comes in too," an X user added.
"rita having an appearance on the show was not i was expecting," a fan wrote.
"I recognized her immediately, too!," another user remarked.
"Omg they are a family," a user commented.
Rita's presence on the sets of When the Phone Rings became a highlight among the cast and crew. Yoo Yeon-seok humorously stated how Rita seemed to steal everyone’s attention, including Chae Soo-bin’s.
"Pls soobin is so funny she’s so excited to meet rita that she didn’t even notice yeonseok," an X user mentioned.
"i literally screamed when i realized it was rita. this is so adorable...," a fan wrote.
More about Yoo Yeon-seok's bond with Rita and its appearance in When the Phone Rings
MBC released behind-the-scenes clips of When the Phone Rings, showcasing Rita’s time on set. In the footage, Yoo Yeon-seok can be seen pampering Rita, brushing her fur, and ensuring she felt comfortable during filming. Chae Soo-bin, equally thrilled by Rita’s presence, spent time playing with the dog, who was dressed in an adorable costume.
Rescued from a now-closed shelter named Aerinwon in 2019, the English Setter was among many abandoned dogs saved by volunteers. After years of neglect and challenges, including anxiety and depression, Rita was brought to the KARA The Bom Center, where she received care and training.
In 2021, Rita’s life changed when Yoo Yeon-seok met her during an adoption drive. Known for his commitment to helping abandoned animals, the actor was immediately drawn to Rita. Reflecting on their first meeting, he shared in a 2023 interview on KBS 2TV's Year-round Plus that Rita hugged him right away, solidifying his decision to take her home.
Yoo Yeon-seok has since often spoken about the joy Rita brings to his life. He described how her cheerful greetings helped him unwind after a long day.
While Rita’s role in When the Phone Rings may be brief, her appearance has left a lasting impression on fans and the cast alike.
