When the Phone Rings episode 4 recap: When did Sa-eon first find Hee-joo could speak?

MBC’s new drama When the Phone Rings premiered on November 22, 2024, starring Yoo Yeon-seok, Chae Soo-bin, Heo Nam-joon, and Jang Gyu-ri in a suspenseful romance thriller. The story follows a couple in their third year of a politically motivated marriage, whose fragile relationship faces the threat of a mysterious phone call.

Directed by Park Sang-woo, known for his visually captivating style in The Forbidden Marriage, the series also features co-director Wi Deuk-gyu. The script is penned by Kim Ji-woon, recognized for Melancholia and Doctor John. Based on a popular Kakao Page novel, When the Phone Rings is a joint production by Bon Factory and Baram Pictures.

In episode 4, Sa-eon starts making his affection towards Hee-ji more apparent. Moreover, he also finds that Hee-joo can speak when he goes to report her father’s case at the police station.

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When the Phone Rings episode 4 recap: Sa-eon softens towards Hee-joo

In episode 4 of When the Phone Rings, Hee-joo, believed to be mute, breaks down in tears while in the car with her husband, Sa-eon, who remains unaware of her ability to speak. Meanwhile, Yu-ri and Sang-woo, former colleagues and neighbors, share a casual dinner.

Their conversation reveals that Yu-ri recognizes Hee-joo as Sang-woo’s first love. Sang-woo asks about Sa-eon’s past, and Yu-ri explains how Sa-eon once mentored her.

Later, Sa-eon and Hee-joo prepare for a dinner with Sa-eon’s parents. Aware of her swollen face from crying, Sa-eon advises her to rest. At the dinner, Sa-eon’s father is insulting toward Hee-joo, and calls her useless and a substitute daughter.

Sa-eon, upset, defends Hee-joo, leading to a heated confrontation. He asks his father to stop relying on him for political gains and refuses to participate in malpractice. Alone, Sa-eon comforts Hee-joo and empathizes with her since she cannot defend herself due to her apparent disability.

Back at home, Hee-joo contemplates discarding the phone linked to the mysterious caller but is interrupted by Sa-eon. Shortly after, she receives a call from her colleagues wishing her luck for an upcoming interview to become the interpreter for the president’s spokesperson.

Meanwhile, Sa-eon, suspicious of Sang-woo, investigates his background further in episode 4 of When the Phone Rings.

During the interview for an interpreter at the Presidential office, Sa-eon observes Hee-joo via his computer while his team assesses candidates. Impressed by her quick responses, he joins the interview and challenges her to interpret his words in real time.

Hee-joo impresses everyone by accurately predicting his speech, revealing she has practiced using his videos and mastered reading his lip patterns. Sa-eon talks about a couple, which also subtly conveys his own thoughts and feelings. He approves of Hee-joo as an interpreter.

In this episode of When the Phone Rings, a flashback reveals Sa-eon’s troubled childhood, marked by mistreatment at home, mirroring Hee-joo’s experience. He recalls helping her sneak food during family gatherings, hinting at his long-standing desire to protect her. Meanwhile, Hee-joo discovers her sister In-a has returned to Seoul through an Instagram post.

Sa-eon contacts Yu-ri, learning that Sang-woo grew up in the same orphanage. Before they can discuss further, he abruptly ends the call. In a private conversation with Sa-eon, Hee-joo, posing as the kidnapper urges him to divorce her again, citing In-a’s return. Surprisingly for her, Sa-eon reveals that he and In-a had agreed to avoid marriage and defend Hee-joo as well.

Hee-joo, stunned, cuts the call before Sa-eon arrives home. He apologizes for underestimating her and acknowledges her competence.

The next day, Hee-joo and Sa-eon attended the Chungwoon Daily News anniversary event hosted by her adoptive father. Hee-joo’s mother scolds her for Sa-eon’s decision to relocate Hee-joo’s biological father to a different nursing home.

Hee-joo, pretending to be the kidnapper and slightly intoxicated, calls Sa-eon from the rooftop, asking how he felt upon discovering his bride had changed on their wedding day. She pours out everything that has been bothering her, mostly comments directed at herself, unaware that Sa-eon is making his way to the rooftop.

He rebuts her criticisms, only to find her precariously standing on a bench in high heels near the edge.

At the end of episode 4 of When the Phone Rings, it is revealed that Sa-eon received shocking news from the police officers who had driven Hee-joo. They showed him dashcam footage of Hee-joo screaming to be let out of the car. This left Sa-eon shocked.

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The next episode of When the Phone Rings is scheduled to be released on December 6.