When the Phone Rings- Episodes 9-10

The Twin

Episode 9 of When the Phone Rings was nothing short of a whirlwind. From shocking family revelations to life-threatening twists, this episode packed in the suspense, drama, and heart-stopping moments that keep us glued to our screens. Let’s dive into the chaos and heartbreak.

Hee-joo Takes a Stand

The episode kicks off with I-na and Hee-joo’s tense confrontation. I-na is stunned to learn Hee-joo already knows Sa-eon’s secret, but what truly shocks her is hearing Hee-joo speak. Hee-joo doesn’t just stop there—she firmly tells I-na that she and Sa-eon chose each other. Seeing Hee-joo so confident in her voice was powerful, and their heart-to-heart about protecting Sa-eon gave us a rare moment of sisterly solidarity.

But Hee-joo’s bravery doesn’t stop there. When Sa-eon goes missing after his rescue attempt, she takes matters into her own hands. She approaches Sa-eon’s parents, revealing her voice and knowledge of Sa-eon’s true identity, and begs for their help. Kyu-jin agrees, but only to protect their family’s interests—classic Kyu-jin.

Sa-eon’s Brush with Death

Meanwhile, Sa-eon’s attempt to rescue Sang-hoon takes a dark turn when both men pass out during the ordeal. Hee-joo, desperate to find her husband, refrains from notifying the police, knowing the media frenzy would only complicate things. Enter Sang-woo, who swoops in just in time to save both Sa-eon and Sang-hoon. His timely intervention not only highlights his resourcefulness but also deepens the intrigue around his connection to the case.

When Sa-eon wakes up post-surgery, Hee-joo is by his side, whispering promises to protect him. These tender moments are interrupted by Sang-woo’s realization that Sa-eon and Hee-joo’s relationship is far from ordinary. Still, Sang-woo proves to be an unlikely ally, keeping the incident a secret and ensuring Sa-eon’s recovery stays out of the public eye.

Past and Present Collide

Sa-eon’s unconscious state triggers memories of his harrowing past, including the night he saw Sang-hoon take a mysterious black bag from Paik Jang-ho—the same night the real Sa-eon was drowned. This flashback not only adds another layer of darkness to Sa-eon’s story but also hints at the tangled web of lies and trauma he’s been living in.

At the same time, the kidnapper receives another warning from his accomplice not to go rogue. But he’s far from deterred—his plans for Ui-hyong’s live interview escalate into another chilling threat when he sends a package disguised as a delivery. This scene had me on edge, wondering just how far the kidnapper will go.

Hee-joo’s Determination vs. Sa-eon’s Secrets

Back at home, Hee-joo, driven by her love for Sa-eon, decides to take the black phone to the police, believing it’s the only way to protect him. But Sa-eon catches her just in time, stopping her from making a dangerous mistake. His heartfelt confession—that he endured all his suffering because of her—was a gut-punch of emotion. Their bond continues to grow deeper as Sa-eon promises he’ll always find his way back to her, no matter what.

Revelations and Shocking Twists

The pace quickens as Sa-eon visits the site where Sang-hoon buried the victims of the real Sa-eon’s crimes. Seeing the graves stirs painful memories of his childhood and his connection to Sang-hoon. But just as Sa-eon begins piecing together the past, Hyeok-jin drops a bombshell: Do-jae is the missing twin.

This revelation is the kind of twist that makes your jaw drop. As Sa-eon frantically tries to call Do-jae, we’re hit with another gut-wrenching moment—Hee-joo, passed out in the back seat of Do-jae’s car after drinking spiked water. Sa-eon’s panic as he realizes he’s losing control of everything he holds dear is palpable, leaving us breathless as the episode comes to an end.

Trust, Love & Sacrifice

Brace yourselves because Episode 10 of When the Phone Rings took us on an emotional rollercoaster that left us breathless. With long-buried secrets coming to light, shocking betrayals, and a devastating cliffhanger, this episode didn’t just raise the stakes—it completely shattered them. Let’s dive into the drama.

A Twisted Reunion

The episode starts with Hee-joo unconscious in the back of Do-jae’s car. As she dreams of a happy, uncomplicated life with Sa-eon, we’re reminded of how far from normal their lives truly are. Meanwhile, the kidnapper arrives at the fish shop, expecting an update from Do-jae. Instead, Do-jae attacks him, finally revealing his suspicion: the kidnapper is the real Paik Sa-eon.

Through a series of flashbacks, we see how Do-jae pieced it all together, discovering that the man he’d been collaborating with was responsible for his twin brother’s death. But the tables quickly turn as the kidnapper overpowers Do-jae, leaving him beaten and stuffed in a black bag on a boat. Sa-eon, mistaking the bag for Hee-joo, arrives just in time to stop the boat but finds himself in the fight of his life.

Hee-joo’s Fierce Escape

Hee-joo regains consciousness and fights the kidnapper, forcing the car off the road and into a rock. In a moment that had us all cheering, she escapes and runs straight into Sa-eon’s arms. But the relief is short-lived as the kidnapper reverses the car, trying to kill them both. Sa-eon confronts him, offering to give up his name and privilege but refusing to give up Hee-joo. This enrages the kidnapper, leading to a brutal showdown.

Just when it seems Sa-eon might lose, Do-jae intervenes, taking a knife meant for Sa-eon. As he bleeds out, Do-jae confesses his guilt in targeting Hee-joo and reveals he’s spent years chasing revenge against the wrong man. His death is a chilling reminder of how deep the scars of betrayal run.

The Paik Family’s Dark Secrets

While Sa-eon grapples with the aftermath of the fight, the Paik family drama continues to unravel. Kyu-jin’s confrontation with the kidnapper reveals a heart-wrenching truth: she always knew he was her son but kept quiet to preserve the family’s legacy. Ui-yong, on the other hand, views their son as a monster and shows no interest in finding him. Their marriage is fractured beyond repair, with Kyu-jin accusing Ui-yong of being the true monster in the family.

A Shocking Confession

Back at the hospital, Sa-eon confronts Do-jae in an emotional scene. Despite the betrayals, Sa-eon tells Do-jae he trusted him completely and pleads with him to help catch the kidnapper. Do-jae, wracked with guilt, finally agrees, revealing that he had installed trackers on the kidnapper’s belongings.

Meanwhile, Hee-joo has her own battles to fight. She confronts her manipulative mother, finally breaking free from Yeon-hui’s control. Their heated exchange leads to a shocking revelation that ties Yeon-hui to the DNA report that exposed Sa-eon’s true identity. Hee-joo is no longer the submissive woman she once was—she’s a fighter.

Love in the Face of Chaos

In one of the most romantic moments of the series, Hee-joo prepares a candlelit surprise for Sa-eon at home. She hands him their marriage contract, revealing that she knows the truth: Sa-eon wanted to marry her all along. Their embrace and kiss were a beautiful reprieve from the chaos, a reminder of their unbreakable bond. Sa-eon promises Hee-joo a proper proposal once their battles are over.

A Heart-Stopping Cliffhanger

The episode’s final act pulls no punches. Sa-eon races to a memorial service turned battleground as the kidnapper launches his next attack. In a terrifying twist, the kidnapper abducts Hee-joo, holding her hostage in a car. As Sa-eon begs for her safety, Hee-joo makes a gut-wrenching decision. Declaring her love for Sa-eon, she drives the car off a cliff, determined to end the kidnapper’s reign of terror.

The screen cuts to black as Sa-eon hears the crash, followed by deafening silence. The police recover Hee-joo’s car, but neither she nor the kidnapper is found. Sa-eon is left shattered, and in a desperate move, he holds a press conference. He publicly declares that he is not Ui-yong and Kyu-jin’s biological son and begs the public to help bring Hee-joo home.

DramaZen's Opinion

These two episodes took my heart, stomped on it, and then whispered, "You’ll thank me later." When the Phone Rings is doing everything right—whether it’s the jaw-dropping twists, emotionally charged moments, or the rollercoaster of relationships, I cannot stop thinking about what I just watched. Let’s break down why Episodes 9 and 10 were absolute masterpieces.

Episode 9: The Emotional Gut Punch

The moment Hee-joo woke up in the back of Do-jae’s car and started dreaming of a “normal” life with Sa-eon, I knew I was in for heartbreak. The show keeps reminding us how much Hee-joo craves simplicity and love, and every scene hits deeper because we know how far from “normal” her life is.

Do-jae’s betrayal? I should have seen it coming, but I didn’t. The way he turned on the kidnapper, only for the tables to flip on him, was brutal to watch. When Sa-eon showed up and mistook Do-jae in the body bag for Hee-joo? I was screaming at my screen. This show knows how to keep the tension sky-high, and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.

And let’s talk about Hee-joo’s escape. She didn’t wait for a knight in shining armor—she fought back, crashed the car, and ran to Sa-eon. That reunion hug was EVERYTHING. But of course, the kidnapper wasn’t done. His twisted proposition to make Hee-joo his wife and Sa-eon’s volcanic rage? Chilling and satisfying in equal measure.

The betrayal from Do-jae hurt so much because of the flashbacks showing how much Sa-eon trusted him. Sa-eon’s guilt over putting Hee-joo in danger and Do-jae’s regret for years of misplaced revenge were so raw. I couldn’t stop crying during that scene.

Episode 10: A Firestorm of Twists and Tears

Episode 10 had me absolutely breathless. The flashbacks to Sa-eon’s childhood, the revelations about the kidnapper’s true identity, and the Paik family’s web of lies were mind-blowing. Every time I thought I had a handle on the story, it threw another curveball.

The emotional center of this episode was, without a doubt, Hee-joo and Sa-eon. Hee-joo confronting her mother and breaking free from her manipulative grip was such a satisfying moment of growth. And the candlelit scene at home? I melted. When Hee-joo handed Sa-eon the marriage contract and revealed she knew he chose her all along, I was sobbing. Their kiss and Sa-eon’s promise to propose properly were the perfect respite from all the chaos—but of course, it didn’t last long.

The kidnapper’s escalating threats kept me on edge. His warped mind games, the explosion at the memorial, and the final confrontation with Hee-joo in the car were absolutely nerve-wracking. Hee-joo’s decision to drive off the cliff to protect Sa-eon was both devastating and heroic. Her final words, telling Sa-eon she loved him, shattered me.

And then the silence. The crash. The police finding her empty car. I’m not okay. Sa-eon’s desperation in the press conference, publicly declaring his true identity and pleading for help to find Hee-joo, was one of the most emotional moments of the series. Seeing him so vulnerable and broken hit me hard.

What Makes These Episodes So Perfect

1. Character Growth
   Hee-joo has come so far from the woman we met at the beginning of this series. She’s finding her voice, standing up for herself, and showing incredible strength—even in the face of impossible odds. Meanwhile, Sa-eon’s walls are finally crumbling, and we’re seeing the depth of his love for Hee-joo. Their relationship feels so real and earned, and I’m rooting for them with everything I’ve got.

2. The Twists
   Do-jae being the twin, the kidnapper’s identity, and the truth about the Paik family’s dark past—this show knows how to deliver bombshells. I’ve never been so obsessed with unraveling a mystery.

3. The Emotional Weight
   Every moment feels meaningful. Whether it’s Hee-joo’s quiet strength, Sa-eon’s guilt and vulnerability, or Do-jae’s regret, the emotions hit like a freight train.

4. The Cliffhanger
   That ending wrecked me in the best way. Is Hee-joo alive? What will Sa-eon do next? And how will they finally bring the kidnapper to justice? I’m counting down the seconds until the next episode.

Episodes 9 and 10 of When the Phone Rings were a masterclass in drama, suspense, and heart-wrenching storytelling. The stakes have never been higher, the emotions have never been rawer, and I’ve never been more invested in a show. If the series can maintain this level of intensity, it’s well on its way to becoming an all-time favorite.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be rewatching the candlelit confession and sobbing until Episode 11 drops. 😭❤️🔥 #WhenThePhoneRings