The drama “When the Phone Rings” tells the story of Baek Sa-eon (played by Yoo Yeon-seok) and Hong Hui-joo (played by Chae Soo-bin), a couple who seem happy on the surface but are deeply at odds behind closed doors. Sa-eon is a young and ambitious spokesperson for the presidential office, while Hui-joo works as a sign language interpreter.
In “When the Phone Rings”, the story takes a thrilling turn when Hong Hui-joo, frustrated with their loveless marriage, starts pretending to be a blackmailer. Using a voice modulator, she calls Sa-eon anonymously and pressures him to divorce her. Baek Sa-eon, however, becomes suspicious after receiving these mysterious calls. He begins digging into the truth, which sets the stage for a series of tense confrontations.
In episode 2, Baek Sa-eon’s investigation picks up pace when he receives a photo of Hong Hui-joo from the “blackmailer.” In his anger, he confronts her, pulling the blanket off her as she lies in bed. This scene creates a mix of anger, tension, and unexpected closeness between them. Despite their ongoing conflict, the moment hints at unresolved feelings in their relationship.
As Baek Sa-eon gathers evidence, he notices strange behaviour from Hui-joo. He even discovers CCTV footage showing someone entering Hong Hui-joo’s car – a detail that deepens his suspicions. Meanwhile, Hui-joo grows nervous as her secret begins to unravel. Her anxiety peaks when Sa-eon receives confirmation from a voice analysis that the blackmailer may be someone close to him.
Adding to the tension is Hong Hui-joo’s encounter with Ji Sang-woo, her university senior. Their reunion is innocent, but Baek Sa-eon’s jealousy flares up when he learns about it. He keeps a close watch on her through a bodyguard he assigned to follow her.
Hui-joo’s mother also adds pressure, encouraging her to repair her relationship with Sa-eon, even gifting her lingerie in a push for intimacy. It was also later revealed that Hui-joo’s biological father sent her away with her mother just because he could not have given her a good life where she could fulfil her dream of becoming an anchor, resulting in an emotional encounter between Hui-joo and her father.
Things escalate when Sa-eon’s office is targeted in an arson attack, with Hui-joo unknowingly becoming a prime suspect. Watching the news, she is shocked to hear her voice – altered by the modulator – being identified as the blackmailer. Her fear grows when Sa-eon confronts her late at night, saying, “There’s no way there’s a side of you I don’t know.”
Their interactions become a mix of suspicion, frustration, and unresolved passion. In one moment, Hui-joo angrily challenges Sa-eon, telling him to see the truth for himself. Despite the tension, it’s clear that their feelings for each other are more complex than either is willing to admit.
At the end of the episode, it was revealed that Baek Sa-eon was the one who decided to marry Hui-joo, because Hui-joo would have been married off by her mother to the son of Yeonghwa Construction family, who no woman from a prestigious family would marry.
MBC’s Friday-Saturday drama “When The Phone Rings” episode 3 will air on November 29 at 9:50 PM (KST). It can be streamed on Netflix, depending on your region.
Images via: MBC.
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