When the Phone Rings- Episodes 3-4
Episode 3 Recap: Call Him!
This week’s When the Phone Rings delivered twists, tension, and an explosive (pun intended) turn of events. Picking up just before the bombing cliffhanger, we see Sa-eon on the phone with the mysterious "kidnapper"—unbeknownst to him, it’s actually Hee-joo. Meanwhile, the real kidnapper sneaks a bomb disguised as a pizza into Sa-eon’s office, and it detonates mid-call, shaking everyone to their core.
Fast-forward to the hospital: Sa-eon wakes up, unharmed but furious. With his credibility on the line, he sets a plan into motion, having part of the call with the "kidnapper" broadcasted on national news. While juggling his recovery, Sa-eon keeps tabs on Hee-joo, ensuring her safety with updates from her bodyguards. Little does he know, she’s the one pulling the strings—or trying to.
Back at home, things heat up as Sa-eon tries to confirm Hee-joo’s birthmark in his ongoing suspicion of the kidnapper’s identity. But Hee-joo, ever resourceful, throws him off with her quick thinking. Though concerned about his injuries, she breathes a sigh of relief when he doesn’t press further—yet. As Sa-eon retreats to his office, more layers of the mystery unfold. His confidant, Do-jae, reveals that the arsonist they caught isn’t the real mastermind, adding fuel to the fire of Sa-eon’s suspicions.
The intrigue deepens when Sa-eon intercepts Hee-joo’s lunch plans with Sang-woo—her old friend with suspiciously lingering feelings. Sa-eon "coincidentally" crashes their meal, bringing You-ri, the opportunistic journalist, along for the ride. What follows is a tense yet entertaining four-way lunch where Sa-eon grills Sang-woo, dripping with jealousy masked as casual questions. Sang-woo handles it like a pro, but Hee-joo is clearly rattled. The chemistry, the tension—it’s all there!
But the real bombshells are yet to come. At the nursing home, Hee-joo’s dad becomes the target of the real kidnapper, who kidnaps and releases him just to send Hee-joo a chilling video call. Holding bloody teeth as a threat, the kidnapper taunts Hee-joo about her motives for using his phone to manipulate Sa-eon. It’s a nail-biting moment that leaves Hee-joo spiraling as she rushes to her dad’s side, only to find him physically unharmed but mentally shaken.
As if her day couldn’t get any worse, Hee-joo finds herself in a police car, reliving the nightmare as they drive her to give a statement. But in a swoon-worthy twist, Sa-eon shows up like a knight in shining armor—complete with an entourage. Dismissing the officers, he announces to everyone that Hee-joo is his wife, a declaration that leaves her (and us) stunned. For a man who keeps her at arm’s length, his protective instincts say otherwise.
The episode ends on an emotional note as Sa-eon promises to handle the statement for her, hinting at a deeper connection while leaving us questioning his true intentions. Meanwhile, Hee-joo dreams of a traumatic childhood accident that ties her past to the present, revealing the heartbreaking reason behind her mutism.
With every twist, When the Phone Rings keeps us on edge, perfectly balancing drama, suspense, and heart-pounding chemistry. Is Sa-eon falling for Hee-joo, or is he just playing the long game? And what’s the real endgame for Hee-joo and the kidnapper? Episode 3 has set the stage for even bigger surprises ahead. Buckle up—it’s only getting better!
Episode 4 Recap: Caller 406 – Secrets and Confessions Come to Light
This week’s episode of When the Phone Rings had us on the edge of our seats, weaving together heartfelt moments, shocking revelations, and simmering tension. The episode opens with Sa-eon racing to the nursing home after a call about Hee-joo’s father, borrowing the President’s official vehicle to speed things up. The emotional rollercoaster begins as he picks Hee-joo up by the roadside and allows her to cry in his car. His gentle teasing—calling her “ugly when she cries”—masks his genuine concern as he promises to find a secure place for her father.
But the drama doesn’t stop there. Instead of taking her home, Sa-eon brings Hee-joo to a hotel where they’re meeting his parents for dinner. Before she rests, he confronts her about the mysterious kidnapper. He hints that he could involve the police if needed, but assures her he won’t push—unless she has something to hide. Hee-joo’s silence speaks volumes.
At dinner, Sa-eon goes head-to-head with his father, who’s pressuring him to join his presidential campaign. Sa-eon refuses, boldly declaring that he’s no longer living in his father’s shadow. The tension boils over when Sa-eon’s brother, Ui-hyong, mocks Hee-joo for her mutism and accuses her family of duping them. In a dramatic moment, Sa-eon defends her, dragging Hee-joo out of the dinner as Ui-hyong hurls a wine glass at them. On the way out, Sa-eon reassures Hee-joo: his family’s words mean nothing.
Meanwhile, You-ri runs into Sang-woo at a local restaurant and, ever the blabbermouth, spills details about Sa-eon’s marriage to Hee-joo. Sang-woo nearly chokes when You-ri asks if Hee-joo is his crush, leaving us all suspicious about his true feelings.
Back at home, Sa-eon updates Hee-joo on her father’s new nursing home, a kind gesture that leaves her conflicted about his motives. Just when she decides to throw away the mysterious black phone (used to call Sa-eon as the “kidnapper”), she changes her mind, wary of his prying. Sa-eon, on the other hand, dives deeper into the mystery surrounding the kidnapper, working with Do-jae to unmask the voice behind the calls. Suspicion lands on Sang-woo, and Sa-eon learns that the charming psychiatrist has a fascination with arson and bombing cases—a detail that only fuels his jealousy.
The episode’s emotional peak comes when Sa-eon oversees Hee-joo’s interview for a sign-language interpreter role. His professionalism falters as he challenges her repeatedly, only to be impressed by her skill. When she admits she studied his videos extensively, he’s visibly flustered, hinting at deeper feelings. Later, his sweet gesture of helping Hee-joo’s father moves her, but she remains unsure of his true intentions.
The episode takes a sharp turn when Hong I-na, Hee-joo’s sister and Sa-eon’s former fiancée, returns to Korea. Hee-joo, haunted by memories of being forced to take I-na’s place on the wedding day, struggles with the resurfacing emotions. During a rooftop confrontation, she calls Sa-eon as the kidnapper and accuses him of treating her as a mere placeholder. To her shock, Sa-eon passionately defends her, confessing that she has always been his solace. His words leave Hee-joo teary-eyed, but the moment is interrupted when Sa-eon steps onto the rooftop and finds her holding the black phone.
The epilogue drops the ultimate bombshell: Sa-eon’s earlier visit to the police station revealed Hee-joo’s long-kept secret. Dashcam footage captured her screaming during a frantic moment, exposing her mutism as a lie. Though initially furious, Sa-eon’s anger turns to contemplation, leaving us wondering what his next move will be.
This episode masterfully balanced emotional revelations and simmering tensions, leaving us desperate for answers. Why did Sa-eon defend Hee-joo so fervently, and how will he confront her about her secret? With Hong I-na’s return and Sa-eon’s growing suspicions, the stage is set for more explosive drama.
DramaZen's Opinion
OMG, THAT CLIFFHANGER!
And OF COURSE that’s where they leave us this week—just when things were getting so good! But then, the epilogue comes in swinging, revealing that Sa-eon already knows Hee-joo can speak. Turns out, when he went to file that police report, the officers accidentally spilled the beans. Sa-eon saw the black box footage and heard her voice—her screaming voice, no less. The haunting way she begged, “Please let me out!” is clearly messing with him.
At this point, I’m 100% convinced that Sa-eon has been in love with her for YEARS. You can see it in how he defends her, protects her, and even gets jealous (hello, Sang-woo). But let’s not give him a free pass—he has a LOT to answer for with the way he’s treated her. And I love that Hee-joo is finally pushing back and asking those hard questions. You go, girl!
Here’s my dilemma, though: I am OBSESSED with the fake kidnapper calls. They’re so tense and juicy, and I don’t want them to stop just yet! But at the same time, I need Sa-eon and Hee-joo to start working through their issues and maybe, just maybe, team up. Imagine these two going full power couple against the real kidnappers and their manipulative families. The potential is just too good.
This show has me on an emotional rollercoaster, and I don’t want to get off anytime soon. Next week can’t come fast enough! 😍
