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Our story begins on a dark and stormy night, though When the Phone Rings kicks off with a dazzling flash-forward, setting the stage for a dramatic entrance. At a high-profile event, the leading couple arrives separately but steps into the spotlight together, arm-in-arm, leaving the room in awe. Amidst the whispers, he leans in to remind her that there must be no rumors about their relationship.
But who are they, and why would rumors be such a concern? Meet BAEK SA-EON (Yoo Yeon-Seok), the Blue House Press Secretary, and HONG HEE-JOO (Chae Soo-bin), his secret wife. Bound by an arranged marriage orchestrated by their influential families, theirs is a relationship devoid of love. No one outside their immediate family knows Sa-eon is married—let alone who his wife is. As the layers of their story unfold, we discover a shocking twist: Hee-joo wasn’t originally meant to marry Sa-eon. That role was intended for her sister, who fled on her wedding day, leaving Hee-Joo to take her place as the “substitute bride.” Or, as Sa-eon bitterly describes her, his “hostage.”
Hee-Joo is a sign language interpreter working for a broadcast station and lives with selective mutism. On a stormy night, her husband, Sa-eon, appears on national TV, coldly announcing that the government won’t negotiate for hostages held abroad. Watching him, Hee-joo silently seethes with disgust, hiding her feelings behind a facade of indifference.
Later that night, while driving home, Hee-joo’s car is hijacked by a remote control. Trapped inside, she’s forced to drive as the hijacker holds her at knifepoint. He makes her call Sa-eon to demand a ransom. Assuming it’s a scam, Sa-eon dismisses the threat and mockingly says, “Call me when there’s a corpse.” This response devastates Hee-joo and infuriates the hijacker. Desperate and alone, she crashes the car. Miraculously unhurt, she returns home and keeps the terrifying ordeal a secret. Unsettled by her silence, Sa-eon keeps her close, leading them to attend a formal event together.
At the event, Hee-Joo works as an interpreter but denies being Sa-eon’s wife when questioned. Sa-eon adds insult to injury by calling his wife his “weakness,” which enrages Hee-joo. Privately, she lashes out at him in sign language he doesn’t understand, frustrated by his apparent lack of concern for her wellbeing.
Things take a surprising turn when the hijacker calls Sa-eon again, revealing knowledge about Hee-Joo and her sister. He demands either a divorce or a ransom. The twist? The “hijacker” is Hee-joo. After overpowering the real kidnapper and stealing his phone, she impersonates him to manipulate Sa-eon and secure her freedom. Fueled by anger, she also uses the opportunity to scold him for his indifference during the ordeal.
Sa-eon, surprisingly shaken, vows to catch the person threatening his wife, unaware it’s her. When Hee-joo tries to sneak away, he grabs her but, relieved she’s safe, asks her about the hijacking without suspicion. He investigates over the next few days while Hee-joo scrambles to keep her ruse intact. Thankfully, the hijacker ensured there was no CCTV footage, and Sa-eon had no reason to suspect his wife.
During one of her calls as the “kidnapper,” Hee-joo, in frustration, sends Sa-eon a suggestive photo of her leg, complete with a distinctive mole. When Sa-eon dismisses it as fake, she’s offended and dares him to check for himself. Realizing her mistake only after hanging up, she’s flustered when he later enters her room but leaves without inspecting her leg.
The tension escalates as Sa-eon becomes jealous, hearing about Hee-joo reconnecting with a handsome college friend. Sa-eon becomes even more suspicious when his reporter friend suggests the “kidnapping” might be a cover for an affair. A subsequent call from the “hijacker” is interrupted by a loud noise, and Sa-eon doesn’t return home that night.
The following day, Hee-Joo is horrified to see a recording of her own modulated voice being used as evidence in a news report about a bombing at Sa-eon’s office. While she processes the implications, Sa-eon returns, chaotic and desperate. Conflicted by the clues he’s gathered about Hee-Joo, he demands answers, starting with the truth about the mole on her leg.
The episode closes with a revelation about their arranged marriage. Hee-joo’s sister had blackmailed Sa-eon using family secrets. To protect Hee-joo from a far worse match, Sa-eon agrees to marry her instead, revealing layers to his motivations that Hee-joo hasn’t yet uncovered.
This fast-paced narrative blends intrigue, resourcefulness, and humor. Hee-joo’s clever improvisation keeps viewers on edge, while Sa-eon’s reactions add depth to their dynamic. Whether his feelings for her are genuine or part of a larger scheme, one thing is clear: the story is shaping up to be thrilling.
For the next reviews, please continue sailing with us in this swoon-worthy journey of love, suspense, mystery, and whatnot! OMG! So excited
