Quando o Telefone Toca (2024)

oh that phone calls went into a different direction than i expected...

it started strong. compelling premise, intense and the fast-paced style made it more exciting. they always end an episode with a cliff-hanger that would make you want to watch the next episode immediately. but also with this pacing, i think other parts of the show lacked in depth and development. it got really over-the-top in the end there which feels fanfiction-y too in a way which is silly but fun. again, i had a fun time but overall, not as satisfying as i wanted it to be.

the whole phone call thing part between saeon and heejoo was probably the most exciting part of the whole drama. even though, we've seen some stupid moments during that, that was the sequences that made it engaging. i was really rooting for heejoo to play that mind games with saeon but it did not really went there. when that whole thing was over, the romance got intensified. and that intensity threw me off in the end. it just didn't feel right when those two barely know each other. if anything, he treated her so badly that heejoo should've made it worse for him during those phone calls lol except for a couple of flashbacks of them when they were kids, we did not really see much of the development of their relationship. next thing you know, they would literally die for each other. i'm not mad lol but that gave me a whiplash. that whole possesive/over protective thing thing too? oh the girlies are gonna eat that up. i just wish there was more development before all that.

if it's just romance, yuri and sangwoo are the ones that made me kick my feet in the air, you know? that hyper gf and calm bf dynamic who also investigates a case together. plus they are adorable and hot? hello, i want more!

acting-wise, no complaints here. yoo yeonseok? that man can act and has range. very happy for chae soobin getting this project too. i gotta say, the scenes between chae woojin who played dojae and saeon were the ones that really moved me emotionally and probably, one of my favorite moments too.

the villains are over-the-top. it got really wild and dramatic there in the end with the plot. it did bother me at times when they did those "what if" or "dreaming" sequences. oh he actually wasn't shot? oh. lol that's just for shock value. also, i think they could've done more with the selective mutism storyline but oh well.

anyway, it's not a favorite but a good time overall. now i wish there was a version where there's no romance or more like, the two only started falling in love while they're trying to catch the real killer and also, more push back from the female lead and phone calls where they play more mind games with each other lmao writers in fanfic community, do your thing.

Leia Mais

Amazing show

This show was immensly enjoyable and had me on the edge of my seat.
I love a thriller that plays with your emotions and keeps you guessing. I love a romance that makes you laugh and cry and makes your heart clench. The show delivered that in spades.

The acting was wonderful. All of the cast members outdid themselves.

The soundtrack was one of the best ever. Instant download to my music library.

The plot: Wonderful

The ML is the stereotypical "cold CEO" as well as a somewhat morally-grey, handsome, rich and influencal person. He is completey in love with the FL but is unable to show it. We, the viewers, pick up on it much before the FL does.

The FL is strong, smart, kind, and very beautiful. It's beautiful to see her journey. While she is strong from the start, she holds herself back and only begins testing her boundries as the show goes on. The progression is beautiful.

The story combines elements of thriller, mystery, politics, secrets, family intrigue, and childhood trauma.
The main couple's chemistry is on fire. (The second couple is also a joy to watch.)
The evolution of the main couple from cold and adversarial with charged chemistry, to warm and open with blazing chemistry is portrayed to perfection.

Some of the plot twists are predictable while others are not. But all of the elemets of the story come together seemlesly. There are no filler scenes. The action, romance, and adventure are cobmined into a wonderful whole. I sat back and watched without blinking, entranced throughout the entire show.

What a wonderful journey.

My one complaint and the reason why I rated 9.5 is the final episode.
The happy ending was wonderful. But the leadup seemed out of place to the reaminder of the show. While the story line did follow the original novel in the majority of its aspects, somehow it was not incorporated into the show to my satisfaction.

Altogether, a terrific show and an immensly enjoyable watch.

Leia Mais

really enjoyed When the Phone Rings—it’s exactly the type of show I love. It has such a good vibe, with a perfect balance of mystery and drama. The couple in the series is amazing, and their chemistry feels so natural! 🍻😍

The storyline is engaging, with plenty of twists that keep you on your toes. If you're looking for a show that's not only entertaining but also gives off a positive, feel-good vibe, I definitely recommend giving it a watch.

Also, if you're into the music, the OST album is really beautiful. You can listen to it here:

https://memo.ostfly.com/album/PVGhhUNL/when-the-phone-rings-ost

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! ❤️"

Leia Mais

Breathtaking chemistry

Just finished watching this drama and it was totally worth my time ♥️.
Couldn't be a better ending of this thrilling rom-com to start my new year with. Loved the cast❤️ loved the storyline ❤️especially loved the amazing chemistry between the main leads 🥰♥️. Totally lived upto the name "When The Phone Rings" 📲 😭.
Also one of the best things that I loved about this drama is the backstory revelation 👏. Dropped a clue just when needed, let the viewer speculate the story and then final revelation just when we thought it's time ✅️ . Wow just wow 👌. And last but not the least another gorgeous couple ever in the kdrama history 😍 Baek-Hong couple no.2❤️.

Leia Mais

When the phone rings - block the number !

Ok you all can call oppa the plot and be very happy with all the juicy scenes that were put forth but what in the world was this "LOGIC LEFT THE CALL" !! There are already 125 people giving out cents on this one so why did I decide to engage in the chatter bec - I am not okay unlike you all ! I can not accept this as it was !

Okay look at me in the eyes and say (only for people who care about what's being served to them) is this what you wanted to see ? Is this how you imagined things would go? (Enny things will not go how you want them to - it's not a drama for you , Enny if you have that much talent write one yourself ) I might as well ...and trust me I'd do a much better job ! Bec for me the whole show was - I might just throw my phone in the same pond where they throw kids - no loss bec everything gets recovered ... does that not sound sensible ? I thought it very much was a 10/10 pitch!

Okay okay initial eps - banger ! Drop dead gorgeous people making me drop dead and crave for more !
Oppa as Hot, Possesive, Toxic and Domineering husband - just hit all the notes that somehow felt untouched through all the kdrama journey !
The whole calling aspect - nailed down very well.

Until !

Hi my cute "perfect husband material straight out of a fairytale romance male lead"- Why were you pretending to be something that you are not, for no good reason - just be the childhood bestie you are and say I love hong hee joo I am a fool in love and otherwise too, and trust me I would perfectly love you for that ! I swear I will !
Because the way you led me into believing that "not all kdrama men are the same" - I mean I love green flags I just hate being misled !

There are just so many things that are fucked up about this that I don't think I will ever be possibly able to curate a list but for the sake of saying it ...
I wish they would do something like - "REACTING" when they find out something - like hong hee joo is the blackmailer - oh my god I love her so much more - bruh hee joo can talk - yeah she's been wining singing competitions ever since she was a kid did you not know - Like seriously ??? - I am so pissed off at the way 90% of the ep is a filler ...and at how they choose the worst way possible to reveal anything ....and when it is revealed ...they do "nothing" ....oh wait 3 eps later they discuss this and sort it out ! - "sensible people" ...but did I sign up to watch sensible people ? NO
Wasn't this about angst and thrill and planning plotting??

also ...when the "phone" rings - the phone is out of picture ...we ain't even half way and the phone just doesn't matter ...! At this point I am really concerned -- what matters ?? jagganim ? They be going on field trips with the blackmailer out lose ...and quite frankly for someone who killed when he was a kid ...the villain was just for tomfoolery no offence but he could do way better than that ! I am to buy you this lunatic kid murderer as a grown up adult couldn't murder a mute girl who mostly has no protection and the one ep she does they don't seem to be working very hard - Like are they even for real !?

Also let alone the consequences of the calls - hee joo doesn't even have any consequences of THE FALL ! Let me see the dramatic fake blood and unreal bandages all over ...come on what the fuck !

Trust me I hate it , even tho I am keeping aside how pissed off I'd be if I also turn on my moral compass and realize that Hong hee joo deserves not a sorry but a good bye from all the people in her life - literally every one bec all of them have wronged her - she can talk and they let her pretend to be mute ! - she's neglected for 3 yrs straight in her marriage and he's been in love with her for 20 yrs and I am to buy that the girl just chooses to die for him instead of killing him - thriller where ?
Okay the girl got no spine but like literally just everyone treated her like trash - even at work

- in the initial eps - the sfl paid no heed to her and one day she suddenly starts crying -
I don't exactly remember when they became besties ...have I missed a few eps of them going on shopping spree and bitching about men ? - Like why make two characters be dead concerned when it could just be - okay I know you, I have spare time, I can look for you ?

The sissy comes back to say I know you could talk but it made me feel better so I am just going to let you suffer ...Quite frankly I really do like her - cause she left when she realized what was going on, got herself fixed, came back to save her sister, asked her father to take action, and supported her sister when she was alone. GIRL -got brain ! I wish hee joo did too but nevermind!
Let's not even go about to how trash her mother's arc turned out ...

Also stop making a big deal for the bare min that the ML does - learning sign language he should have done that years ago - he did not need tell her - he could very well be secretive about it like he was about other things ...!

Also the sml arc - was good but so unnecessary !

Has the rant been too long ? No guys we haven't even reached to the no brainer messed up story of the decade -
What in the world ...his mom holding hee joo captive , the real villain working under someone else ... hee joo's brother killed by the oldiee oh my I have no words ! And he's the son of oldiee - Explain pls - with whom, where is his mom ? what the fuck happened ? why did the dna report show otherwise ??
instead what we get ...car accidents after car accidents and literally nothing happens - it's just so annoying and repetitive !

At this point I have no brain cells to spare
the only thing I liked was the angle of the secretary and nothing more.

Tho with all of that I was wondering what more could go wrong - until they did show me exactly what they are capable of -
When you have a serial killer on loose, out to kill you, following you since last 10 eps and you have a car in which the love of your life urgently requires hospitalization you don't go out negotiating with the killer - you run over him - too much to expect... I agree, but what can be said when he just out right disappears and is found in a war zone among the rebels !

boy you built a beach house for yourself there.... property rates????- and you got your girl from the rebels without a gun let alone a plan - make it believable at the very least - atleast act like you are putting efforts !
Not gonna lie - with how illogical it was - I couldn't care less about the treat that was put forth !
in short "They should’ve scrapped the unnecessary sociopathic serial killer mess and made the story about him, her and the phone."

If you found this (bec I can see a lot of downvotes and it being kicked to the last page of reviews) and are still reading - hugs and a lot of love from the bottom of my heart !

Leia Mais

Love or Obsession? Unpacking the Complexities of "Drama When Phone Rings"

"Drama When Phone Rings" delves into the haunting dynamics of a marriage where love—if it can even be called that—lurks in silence for years, only to surface under extreme and desperate circumstances. The drama portrays a husband who claims to have loved his wife all along but failed to express it for three years, leaving viewers to question whether his so-called love is genuine or merely an unhealthy obsession.

True love involves action, care, and a willingness to nurture a relationship. The husband’s three years of indifference show none of these qualities. Despite his alleged feelings, he made no effort to communicate, to make his wife feel valued, or to work on their marriage. This lack of effort and engagement suggests that his "love" might not be as pure as it seems. Genuine love inspires vulnerability and a desire to connect, but his behavior implies emotional apathy—or worse, a controlling mindset where he doesn’t feel the need to prove or share his affection.

When his wife pretends to be a kidnapper, it is a desperate act of seeking validation in a marriage that has emotionally starved her. His sudden change of heart and willingness to show affection only after this dramatic plea feels reactive and superficial. It raises an unsettling question: is this really love, or is it his obsession with possession, control, or the idea of his wife, rather than her as a person?

Obsession often masquerades as love, but it is fundamentally self-centered. It is more about holding onto someone than genuinely caring for their happiness or well-being. The husband’s years of emotional neglect, coupled with his delayed response only when provoked, make it hard to see his feelings as anything more than a possessive obsession. His actions don’t stem from a realization of her worth but from the fear of losing her—a response driven by his ego rather than true affection.

The wife’s decision to stay or accept his newfound love is equally complicated. Should she trust that his feelings are real, or should she recognize that his "love" is contingent on her begging for it? The drama challenges viewers to grapple with these dilemmas, ultimately leaving a sour aftertaste. It underscores the painful reality of relationships built on unbalanced emotional investments and the danger of confusing obsession with love.

In the end, "Drama When Phone Rings" serves as a cautionary tale about the need for communication, emotional honesty, and mutual effort in love. It leaves viewers questioning the husband’s motives, the wife’s choice, and whether a relationship like this is even worth saving.

While "Drama When Phone Rings" initially presents the husband’s actions as self-centered and emotionally neglectful, the later episodes reveal a more nuanced and heartfelt progression in his character. As the layers of their complex marriage unfold, it becomes evident that the husband’s previous indifference was not due to a lack of love but rather his own inability to express it. His genuine feelings, though buried under years of silence, begin to surface as the couple confronts their emotional wounds. His decision to respond with patience, kindness, and understanding, especially when learning about his wife’s desperate actions, marks a significant turning point in the story. Instead of reacting with anger or resentment, he chooses empathy, offering forgiveness and demonstrating the true depth of his love.

Similarly, the wife’s journey is just as transformative. Initially, she sought validation in desperate, misguided ways, but as she sees her husband’s true efforts and love, she begins to open herself up in ways that weren’t possible before. Her willingness to accept his vulnerabilities, even when she uncovers his own secret, highlights the growth of their relationship. The drama beautifully portrays how both characters, once emotionally distant and guarded, find strength in their mutual support and understanding. They both accept each other’s flaws, fostering an environment where trust and emotional honesty can finally flourish.

The couple’s shared vulnerability becomes the cornerstone of their evolving relationship. While the drama started with an unsettling question of obsession versus love, it ultimately leads to a more hopeful message: love can be redefined, even after years of neglect, if both partners are willing to face their fears, be vulnerable, and rebuild their emotional connection. The husband’s and wife’s journey toward mutual support and acceptance not only heals their individual wounds but also lays the foundation for a more balanced, loving partnership.

"Drama When Phone Rings" ultimately celebrates the power of communication, emotional growth, and mutual care, showing that love can be rediscovered, even in the most challenging circumstances. Both characters, in accepting each other’s secrets and supporting one another’s growth, prove that a strong, loving relationship is built on the willingness to understand, forgive, and evolve together.

Leia Mais

this is why I never pick up unknown calls

The best way to describe When the Phone Rings is "tropey". In a way, it feels like the essence of classic kdramas. The contract marriage setup, the ML's cold and domineering personality, even the way the leads fall in love -- nothing is particularly fresh or new. Still, the writers spun an engaging idea out of a kidnapper's call that had the potential to create a tense, sizzling dynamic between the leads, but unfortunately, this potential was never fully realized.

The fundamental issue lies with the leads. Our FL is void of personality, will, clear goals, basically anything that makes a character a compelling person. Although her actions are consistent with her backstory, it would've made a far more interesting story if the FL were more of a ruthless, decisive character. Instead, we got a passive character with little resolve, little intelligence, and lots of scared expressions. It felt more like things kept happening to her rather than her taking control of the narrative.

The ML is... really something. They really did bring back the classic tsundere trope for him and I was not a fan. He has little personality other than being domineering, although he was pretty good at that. Maybe a little too good. I was kind of fed up with his bitchiness that he later tried to brush off. Like give my girl some free will, please. i.e. He's either inconsistent to an insane degree or has the maturity of a ten-year-old, take your pick.

Put these two together and the sizzling romance you wanted becomes a flat one. Their chemistry in the beginning is basically just Sa Eon: bursts into the room. Hui Ju: looks scared. Sa Eon: walks closer. Hui Ju: looks scared. Sa Eon: gets in her face. Hui Ju: looks scared. Then miraculously, one day Sa Eon wakes up and suddenly decides he doesn't want to be a jerk to Hui Ju anymore. Because he really needed someone to kidnap and threaten her in order to treat his wife with decent politeness. So the hope for good chemistry was already pretty low. But the little chemistry that could possibly have been siphoned out of this setup is completely lost because seriously, no one understands why they like each other. I believe the issue here is also that instead of the characters' actions furthering their relationship and the plot, outside factors and events seem to just be pulling this passive couple around.

The plot itself is not bad. The middle feels both useless and draggy, but the story ramps up near the end. The twists, reveals, and stakes were enough to keep me watching.

BUT FINALLY, the real reason I kept watching through it all! Yu Ri and Sang U. The most adorable second lead couple that has graced the screen. And I say this as someone who has never liked second lead couples. Yu Ri and Sang U, from the get-go, have far more palpable chemistry than the lead couple. Their "overdramatic fl x matter-of-fact ml" dynamic is so cute to watch, and I loved Yu Ri's cheerfulness and Sang U's casual quirks. Props to Sang U's actor, honestly. Did I watch 12 hours of this show for their meager 15 minutes of screentime? Yes, yes I did. Did I add .5 to the rewatch value because I will be rewatching their scenes? Yes, yes I did.

Leia Mais

Unimpressive Romance/Mystery, Despite Promising Premise & Great Acting

BEFORE READING: Opinions differ, and my review and rating might not align with the popular opinion. This is my honest take on the drama. If you love the drama and can't bear to see any negativity about it, please skip my review. Others who are open to a different perspective and constructive discussion, read on!

I started "When the Phone Rings" with excitement due to the lead actors and the thriller-romance premise. However, two episodes in, I was confused about the direction - whether it was a mystery/thriller or romance. After learning from others that there is a novel which is more detailed and primarily a spicy romance, I realized my expectations were misplaced. Despite this, I kept watching weekly, hoping to know the mystery reveal, though poorly laid out. Sadly, the drama progressed by my hopes spiraled down as the drama's clichés didn't work for me in terms of romance or thriller, even though the actors performed well.

While I believe it is best to block/miss if this drama is calling you, breaking it down why I'm saying so:

➥ NEGATIVES:
(1) Romance:
As a woman, I couldn't imagine ever forgiving someone like the ML after years of neglect, especially after hearing what he said on the phone in Ep 1. This sentiment remains despite the fact that he was a childhood sweetheart and is now attempting to make amends. BUT How can three years of damage and indifference be justified and forgotten overnight? This was my biggest challenge, and I felt the rushed storyline didn't address it well. Even if the neglect years happened off-screen, their sudden realization of love felt implausible, even within the realm of drama logic. While these clichés are common, I've seen much better enemies-to-lovers plots, and this drama's romance angle didn't work for me at all. Even the convincingly acted intimate scenes felt forced to remain true to the spicy angle of novel, as the drama couple's arc was so weak. In my opinion, extending the drama to 16 episodes might have allowed more time to flesh out and develop the main leads' rediscovery of their old love gradually, rather than the rushed approach taken.

(2) Mystery/Thriller:
After 2 episodes, I realized my expectations for a "Gone Girl"-style mystery/thriller were misplaced. However, instead of dropping the drama, I continued watching at 2X speed each week, intrigued by the mystery surrounding the past secrets of the Paik family & the orphanage. Unfortunately, the plot did not progress well, becoming a mess especially from Ep 8's supposedly "big-reveal". The twists were obvious & revelations lacked impact. The final episode was entirely unnecessary—they could have simply provided a happy ending at the end of Ep 11, without the antagonist whispering an already known fact to the ML.

➥ POSITIVES:
(1) The Second Couple (Yuri & Sang Yoo):
Though very minimal screen-time, their romance grew slowly, organically, & felt believable. I'm seeing both the actors for the first time - they're talented & captivating especially Heo Nam Jun. Definitely going to watch their other works!

(2) Paik Sa-Eon (ML)'s acting:
Already familiar with his acting since his debut as a teen in Old Boy & he was a reason why I started this drama, as I was convinced of his talent. While his delivery was flawless as he showed a range of emotions - goofiness (elevator scene), anguish at loss of his beloved or betrayal, charm/aura as the Spokesperson, determination (when finding the culprit) - it still could not redeem this otherwise directionless drama for me.

➥ OVERALL: SKIP/One-Time Watch at best.
Personally, this drama was struggling to find its identity as a romance/thriller. The only reason I dragged myself to continue & not drop it was cause of: (1) my love for YYS as an actor (2) the hope that it will improve next week & justify the 8.9 rating (3) the end-twist will be so unique that it will shift the ground beneath my feet (4) did not want to make my dropped list longer. Alas, in the end, nothing worked for me but I am rating this as an average (5/10) purely for the actors' talent.

The drama can be a one time watch, if one likes cliches like webnovels/wattpad stories (Cold CEO is a great lover kind) - but fair warning, for me it was a romance that tried to justify the actions of a neglectful husband with a forced mystery/thriller/family secret plot that was increadibly weak.

Drama Rating System: https://mydramalist.com/profile/omo-omo-omo
(Scroll to the said section on my profile page)

Leia Mais

When Your Wife Calls

I thought this series would lead me back to Kdrama. Unfortunately, it failed me again. This is your another clichéd Kdrama full of murder, crimes, political and family rivalry. I'm here supposedly for the romance. But, the romance I am hoping for took a back seat in the story. Oh yes, it started again with that aloof, domineering, snob character of the ML. Which expectedly would make a turn towards the end of the drama. Yes, everything is predictable, from the crime itself, the childhood flashbacks, the orphanage and the romance itself. Very poor storyplot. Lots of unnecessary characters like the sister of the FL who didn't play a significant role at all, FL's colleagues in the court or judiciary.

The idea of the burner phone is too lame for me just to express ones feelings. Even poor execution of crime solving. Like, a car that can be easily hacked and operated by a culprit but a simple burner phone cannot be easily located or even decoded by the Office of the President. Like, how inefficient such office can be?

Anyways, this is a wasted potential. If only the writers focused on the romance, instead of the too overly used crime trope, it would have been much more interesting. Yes, this is a total slowburn. Why let the audience wait for the finale for a married couple to get intimate? Can't it be at least halfway thru? or better yet, after the wedding ceremony itself since the feeling is mutual anyway. Would have been much better if they have kids in the finale.

Mysterious Love or My Lethal Man Cdrama is way better than this.

I was suppose to give this a 7.0 for the minimal romantic interaction between the leads. The actors were all awesome. My first time to watch Yoo Yeon Seok in a drama. Second time for Chae Soo Bin as first seen her in I'm Not A Robot. Still, gave an overall rating of 8.0 for the intimate finale scene. Definitely, chemistry was there. Another overrated drama.

Leia Mais