When the Phone Rings: Tension, Emotion, and Redemption
The series focuses on the fictional ex-presidential spokesman Baek Aeon so only and soon to be mute newspaper heiress Hong Hui Ju wife to be through arranged marriage. They have a lot of conflict in their relationship as it is but the conflict is taken to a new level when Hui Ju is kidnapped. In this political and personal conflict, Sa Eon deals with this scandal that also explores the characters’ childhood abuse, changes in relationships and dynamics of a marriage turning from hatred into affection. It took aspects of political thriller, elements of drama, and romance and still the tension remained high. Regularly it changes intensity from suspenseful episodes to very warm, hot, dramatic, emotionally filled scenes, making one think of individual and social battles.
The chemistry between Yoo Yeon-seok and Chae So Bin who embodies Baek Sa Eon and Hong Hui Ju are finest phronesis of averts. Their electricity is the plot-developing engine, as Yeon-seok, playing a passionate but human negotiator, unfolds against Soo-bin’s mute strength. The character of Yu Seong-ju and Heo Nam-jun adds considerably to the feelings angle, giving depth to the secondary characters.
Through the direction of Park Sang Woo, the drama contained in ‘When the Phone Rings’ is precisely as assertive as the modicum of activity that it provides. His character development and pacing enable the audience to get engaged with the different aspects of the plot in a series without losing interest.
A musical composition that accompanies the series is rather engaging and matches the theme of tension and vulnerability. It underlines a given moment and puts an extra layer of tension over whatever imaging is initiating in the scene without occluding it.
The series is equally beautiful with the cinematography matching the tone of every scene to perfection. In combination with the script, the cinematography succeeds in conveying the general Cold War atmosphere both in slow-motion showdowns and vulnerable or powerful applauses.
Meticulous work has been done with political and personal spaces where the opulent setting evokes tension. All of the shooting locations are very effective and really add to the story to make it more vivid and realistic.
Non-usage of bodily special effects: Although, the series does not heavily rely on specific special effects at all, however, the series knows how at use them effectively in suspense moments. These are managed well, making it possible to achieve the purpose of having these moments other than disrupting the flow of the story.
The pace is good, particularly required for a thriller. It helps to keep moving through different episodes without any confusion, as the last second of each episode is the beginning of the next episode’s story.
The use of pacing makes a show grow tensed when necessary, as well as offer a breath of air when the writing and acting need time to get developed. This makes the audience interested and paying attention but does not let the story be boring, though it may be too fast otherwise.
The language used in dialog seems to be quite intense but benefits from good writing where the conflicts and relations between characters are shown. Interpersonal conversations do not often announce themselves as such but add depth to the story without melodrama, thus making the work interesting.
As for the strengths of ‘When the Phone Rings’, it maybe said that the work came across some twists and turns that could use a little more detail. Perhaps the most striking factor that may prove problematic in some parts is that certain details take too long to be revealed, while this may be viewed as a plus in an attempt to keep the audience guessing as much as possible in terms of plots. It observes, interprets and responds to difficult issues with great care, it offers a thrilling spin through the realms of individual and collective. The series will for sure attract the audience who are into something mysterious with some drama and of course some romance is added.
