When the Phone Rings Episode 10 Review: Is Hee-joo Dead or Is it a Plan?

Episode 9 is a whirlwind of secrets, confrontations, and shocking twists that deepen the tangled mysteries surrounding the Paik family. Hee-joo’s confession of deceiving Sa-eon and In-a’s revelations about the hidden heir set the stage for high-stakes drama. Sang-woo emerges as a key player, rescuing Sa-eon and uncovering critical clues about the Paik family’s dark history.

A chilling flashback reveals the real Sa-eon’s harrowing past and the Paik grandfather’s desperate attempt to erase his crimes. The present-day chaos escalates with a tense family press event, cryptic warnings, and the revelation of a hidden twin, Do-jae, whose kidnapping of Hee-joo leaves viewers reeling. Packed with emotional confrontations and intricate twists, this episode sets up a thrilling, unpredictable climax.

– Contains Spoilers –

When the Phone Rings Episode 10 Recap

Episode 10 of When the Phone Rings opens with Hee-joo dreaming of a perfect, blissful life with Sa-eon while she remains unconscious, a poignant contrast to the chaos unfolding in reality. The episode dives headfirst into action as Do-jae lures the real Sa-eon to the very place where Chairman Paik had once tried to kill him. Do-jae’s mission? To exact revenge on the man who killed his twin. Unfortunately, he’s unaware that the real Sa-eon and the spokesperson Sa-eon are two entirely different people.

Do-jae’s confusion is short-lived as he overhears the real Sa-eon’s conversation with Sang-hun, the enigmatic fish shop owner. The revelation strikes him like lightning—the person he’s hunting isn’t the spokesperson Sa-eon but the real Sa-eon, the true killer. Driven by fury and heartbreak, Do-jae confronts the real Sa-eon, striking him on the head. However, the tables turn quickly as the real Sa-eon overpowers him. Meanwhile, spokesperson Sa-eon, desperate to find Hee-joo, arrives at the scene only to stumble upon a black bag containing a barely alive Do-jae. Gasping for breath, Do-jae warns him about the real Sa-eon’s identity and murderous intent.

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What follows is a nail-biting sequence as the murderer Sa-eon starts a car with Hee-joo trapped inside. But Hee-joo, ever resourceful, uses her wits to escape, setting off a heated confrontation between the two Sa-eons. The fight escalates into a chaotic whirlwind of emotions and violence. In a tragic twist, Do-jae intervenes to protect Hee-joo and is stabbed in the process, collapsing as the murderer Sa-eon flees the scene. Despite his injuries, Do-jae recalls a visit from Kyu-jin and Ui-yong’s guards trailing her, piecing together clues about the murderer’s movements. Yet again, the cunning real Sa-eon manages to evade capture.

The layers of intrigue deepen as Kyu-jin confronts Ui-yong, accusing him of withholding truths about the real Sa-eon and hinting at the spokesperson Sa-eon’s ties to Chairman Paik. This revelation adds more complexity to the tangled web of relationships and motivations. At the same time, spokesperson Sa-eon seeks Do-jae’s cooperation to locate the murderer. Reluctantly, Do-jae agrees, acknowledging the stakes involved.

Meanwhile, the horrifying discovery of the remains of the orphans murdered by the real Sa-eon casts a grim shadow over the narrative. Sang-woo is brought in to identify the victims through their personal belongings, a deeply emotional task. Thankfully, Yu-ri accompanies him, offering comfort and support as they face the grim reality together.

As the chaos unfolds, Hee-joo opens up to In-a, recounting everything she knows. In-a, haunted by memories of her late brother Yu-jin, recalls seeing a mysterious child every time Yu-jin cried. This leads her to suspect that Yu-jin’s fatal car accident was no accident at all. Could the real Sa-eon have been involved? The suspicion grows stronger as In-a pieces together the puzzle, theorizing that Sa-eon’s cryptic text before Hee-joo’s wedding and the anonymous DNA reports might have all been orchestrated by him.

In a rare lighter moment, Hee-joo’s mother makes an appearance, concerned about Hee-joo’s decision not to marry into a politically powerful family. Hee-joo, however, stands her ground, signalling growth in her character. This interaction prompts In-a to reflect further on the tangled secrets surrounding them. Back at home, Hee-joo creates an intimate setting, lighting candles and donning a black-and-white dress from Episode 5. She proposes to Sa-eon, asking him to marry her once all the chaos is behind them. Sa-eon, ever the romantic, declines her proposal—not because he doesn’t want to marry her, but because he wants to be the one to propose. Their tender moment ends with a passionate kiss, offering a brief respite from the surrounding turmoil.

The next day, Do-jae confirms the identity of his twin among the remains of the murdered children, a heartbreaking moment that fuels his resolve. Spokesperson Sa-eon encourages him not to let his grief consume him, and for the first time, Do-jae agrees to collaborate. Their teamwork bears fruit as they discover a still-active tracking device on the real Sa-eon, reigniting hope of capturing the elusive murderer.

Meanwhile, Hee-joo and In-a take their investigation to Chairman Hong, demanding answers about the car accident that killed Yu-jin. A flashback reveals a chilling conversation where Chairman Baek admits to Chairman Hong that he had “handled” the person responsible for the accident. The revelation that the murderer Sa-eon is still alive sends Chairman Hong into a panic. Armed and enraged, he storms the memorial service for Chairman Baek, aiming his rifle at Ui-yong. The scene is fraught with tension as Hee-joo calls spokesperson Sa-eon to the location.

Amidst the escalating chaos, a small explosion rocks the memorial service, throwing everything into disarray. Kyu-jin, who had spotted the murderer Sa-eon earlier, alerts the guards, but the confusion allows the killer to slip away once more. In-a searches frantically for Hee-joo, who has vanished in the commotion. The police inform spokesperson Sa-eon that the murderer is still at the location, setting the stage for a harrowing confrontation.

The climax of the episode is nothing short of heart-stopping. The murderer Sa-eon holds a knife to Hee-joo’s throat, calling spokesperson Sa-eon to taunt him. Despite the danger, Hee-joo remains defiant, urging Sa-eon not to come for her. In a desperate act of bravery, she crashes the car she’s in, sending it careening into a lake. The screen cuts to Sa-eon, devastated and powerless, as he learns of the incident.

The episode closes on an emotional note as Sa-eon holds a press conference, publicly revealing that he is not Ui-yong’s son, Baek Sa-eon. He also discloses Hee-joo’s identity, pleading for the public’s help in finding her. In the final flashback, Sa-eon reflects on a conversation with Hee-joo where he told her he had finally found his purpose in life. The juxtaposition of his hope with the grim present leaves viewers on edge, eagerly anticipating what’s to come.

When the Phone Rings Episode 10 Review

The episode dives headfirst into the chaos as Do-jae lures the real Sa-eon to the very spot where his life nearly ended years ago, setting the stage for a tense confrontation. In a twist, Do-jae realizes he’s been hunting the wrong Sa-eon all along, but before he can act, he’s overpowered and left for dead—only to be found by the spokesperson Sa-eon. From Hee-joo’s daring escape from the murderer to the emotionally charged fight between the two Sa-eons, the episode delivers edge-of-your-seat moments while peeling back layers of mystery. And just when you think things are settling down, a shocking blast at a memorial service throws everyone into further turmoil.

What sets this episode apart is its ability to balance pulse-pounding suspense with deeply emotional moments. Hee-joo and Sa-eon’s relationship reaches new depths, from her heartfelt marriage proposal to his tearful press conference after her car plunges into a lake. Meanwhile, side characters like Sang-woo and In-a uncover pieces of the dark puzzle surrounding the Paik family, adding rich complexity to the narrative. The episode doesn’t just thrill—it tugs at the heartstrings while leaving viewers desperate for answers.

When the Phone Rings is streaming on Netflix.

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