Jaehwa Bernardo

Yoo Yeon-seok, left, and Chae Soo-bin in a scene from 'When the Phone Rings.' Photos from MBC Drama's Instagram account

Article (news)

Cast of K-drama ‘When the Phone Rings’: Where you’ve seen them before

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1733377136846Snapinsta.app_468599871_1099381784877065_5770576372723998273_n_1080.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Yoo Yeon-seok, left, and Chae Soo-bin in a scene from &#x27;When the Phone Rings.&#x27; Photos from MBC Drama&#x27;s Instagram account"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Yoo Yeon-seok, left, and Chae Soo-bin in a scene from &#x27;When the Phone Rings.&#x27;<em> Photos from MBC Drama&#x27;s Instagram account</em></span></span></span>A new K-drama is creating a buzz on social media: the thriller melodrama “When the Phone Rings.”</div><p>Since its premiere on November 22, the series — originally aired on Korean broadcaster MBC and available for streaming on Netflix — has captured the hearts of Filipino K-drama fans, quickly climbing to the No. 1 spot on Netflix&#x27;s Top 10 TV shows in the Philippines.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/chk2ak1MPlY?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>The gripping drama follows Korea’s presidential spokesperson Paik Sa-eon (Yoo Yeon-seok) and Hong Hee-joo (Chae Soo-bin), a sign language interpreter with selective mutism. The two have been in an arranged marriage for three years, but their lives take a suspenseful turn when Sa-eon begins receiving mysterious and threatening phone calls.</p><p>For avid K-drama fans watching the series, you might notice that the main cast features familiar faces. Below, we take a closer look at the stars of “When the Phone Rings” and highlight their notable past shows.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1733377194308Snapinsta.app_467744134_1095204235294820_7561265681128407686_n_1080.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="A new K-drama is creating a buzz on social media: the thriller melodrama &#x27;When the Phone Rings.&#x27;"/></div><div><strong>Yoo Yeon-seok</strong></div><p>In “When the Phone Rings,” Yoo Yeon-seok portrays Paik Sa-eon, a rising figure in Korean politics from a prominent family. Before stepping into his role as a presidential spokesperson, Sa-eon worked as a news anchor. While he appears cold and distant toward his wife, Hee-joo, his icy demeanor conceals hidden layers that gradually unravel as the series progresses.</p><p>Before “When the Phone Rings,” the 40-year-old actor starred in a variety of notable dramas, including the medical series “Hospital Playlist” and the first season of “Dr. Romantic.” He also appeared in the coming-of-age hit “Reply 1994,” the period piece “Mr. Sunshine,” and the crime thriller “Narco-Saints.”</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1733377209509Snapinsta.app_469184830_1102931417855435_6980839589664249029_n_1080.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="A new K-drama is creating a buzz on social media: the thriller melodrama &#x27;When the Phone Rings.&#x27;"/></div><div><strong>Chae Soo-bin</strong></div><p>Chae Soo-bin stars as Hong Hee-joo, a sign language interpreter who becomes selectively mute at her mother’s request. Feeling trapped in what seems like a loveless marriage, Hee-joo’s life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters a man who threatens both her and her husband.</p><p>Soo-bin, 30, gained recognition for her role in the historical drama “Love in the Moonlight” and continued to rise in popularity with lead roles in series such as “Strongest Deliveryman,” “I’m Not a Robot,” and “Where Stars Land.”</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1733377227790Snapinsta.app_468632915_1100078934807350_6341842474238643240_n_1080.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="A new K-drama is creating a buzz on social media: the thriller melodrama &#x27;When the Phone Rings.&#x27;"/></div><div><strong>Heo Nam-jun </strong></div><p>Heo Nam-jun, who has recently gone viral for his good looks and physique, portrays Ji Sang-woo, a charming psychiatrist and content creator. A college acquaintance of Hee-joo, he teams up with news anchor Na Yu-ri (Jang Gyuri) for a broadcast program.</p><p>The 31-year-old actor first gained attention as one of the soldiers in the second and third seasons of Netflix&#x27;s apocalyptic horror &quot;Sweet Home&quot; before rising to further fame in the 2024 legal thriller &quot;Your Honor.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/6/21/watch-chaotic-battles-more-monsters-in-sweet-home-3-teaser-1208"><strong>READ: Chaotic battles, more monsters in &#x27;Sweet Home 3&#x27;</strong></a></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1733377244529Snapinsta.app_468676839_1100078931474017_3338323121234413284_n_1080.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="A new K-drama is creating a buzz on social media: the thriller melodrama &#x27;When the Phone Rings.&#x27;"/></div><div><strong>Jang Gyu-ri</strong></div><p>With her infectious smile, Jang Gyu-ri portrays the news anchor Na Yu-ri. Beneath her bright and bubbly personality, Yu-ri is a hardworking professional, having been mentored by the strict Sa-eon, whom she looks up to.</p><p>Before pursuing acting, Gyu-ri, 26, debuted as a member of the K-pop girl group fromis_9, known for songs like “DM”  and “We Go.” She left the group in 2022 and has since focused on acting. As an actress, her notable series include “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” and “Cheer Up.” <strong>— Report from Dorothy Del Rosario, ABS-CBN News Intern</strong></p>

<p>A new K-drama is creating a buzz on social media: the thriller melodrama 'When the Phone Rings.'</p>

A new K-drama is creating a buzz on social media: the thriller melodrama 'When the Phone Rings.'