Ep. 7-8: 'When the Phone Rings' Keeps Viewers Hooked

In episodes seven and eight of 'When the Phone Rings', the romance, drama and mystery intensify, keeping the viewer hooked from the get-go. 

There are a lot of family secrets being hinted at in episode eight, which links with the threats Sa Eon and Hee Joo are receiving. The earlier episodes show tidbits of these characters from the couple’s families, but in these episodes, they are shown to have a stronger link with everything that is happening.  The side characters have done a good job, of portraying stoic public figures with dark secrets of their own.

Episode eight shows a tense interaction between Chairman Hong and Candidate Baek with Choi Kwang Il and Yoo Seong Ju having done an amazing job conveying the intense emotions during that scene.

Also, Chu Sang Mi, who plays Sa Eon’s mother, subtly portrays how the character is haunted by the pain of losing her real son. In episode eight, she says, “I’ll protect you, Sa Eon,” which she shares with her real son, leaving the viewer curious about how she’ll get involved with the real Sa Eon.

The director's use of flashbacks to reveal the characters' secrets from the past is better than showing characters rushing to get to the bottom of everything.  With this format, the creators have enhanced the complexity of the mystery subplot, instead of dragging a simple storyline with characters rushing to find out the truth.

However, this takes the focus away from Sang Woo and Yu Ri’s investigation of the case, which does not do justice to the characters’ purpose. Although, Sang Woo seems to have a deeper connection with the main plot, Yu Ri’s character does not have enough substance without the investigation subplot. If there was going to be an investigation, it should have been actively shown along with the main plot, but the limited nature of the series does not allow that.

These episodes also showed an interconnection between the families' dealings and the political sphere they inhabit. It starts with Sa Eon’s father who uses the accident to his political advantage, which leads to his son doing some damage control. Getting the nation involved in the case seemed unnecessary at first, but Sa Eon clarifies by saying, “If I stop, there won’t be a place to hide, except behind me”.  He is referring to Hee Joo and making the case public ensures her safety since he is being targeted and will be in danger.

The development of the romance in these two episodes was good and was at the forefront. Hee Joo finally talks in front of Sa Eon and he takes good care of her at the hospital. In episode eight, they communicate about their marital issues and the secrets they have been keeping from each other. Sa Eon is still keeping something from his wife, but she says, “You knew I was 406, yet you didn’t abandon me. Let us show each other our worst and make it even.”

The writer has done a fine job with the development of the couple’s relationship in these two episodes. Although, they have been talking it out over the phone for the previous episodes, the clear and direct communication in episode eight shows an improvement in their relationship, which emphasizes the importance of communication to maintain a healthy relationship.

However, Sa Eon’s words echo throughout the episode, “The only Baek Sa Eon I want to leave behind in this world is the one that belongs to Hee Joo,” which has an ominous connotation.

Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae Soo Bin have done a good job of portraying Sa Eon and Hee Joo’s romantic progress, which has viewers completely invested in the story and anxious to see what happens next.

Although, ‘When the Phone Rings’ is about Sa Eon and Hee Joo’s journey to finding love, it leaves viewers curious about how the real Sa Eon will be dealt with. Will he manage to take back everything that was supposed to be his? Or will he finally be killed as he was supposed to be?