When the Phone Rings Episode 11 Review: Evil Mother

Episode 10 of When the Phone Rings delivers an intense blend of action, heartbreak, and intrigue. The story takes a dark turn as Do-jae confronts the real Sa-eon, seeking vengeance for his twin’s death, only to end up severely injured and nearly killed. Meanwhile, Hee-joo’s resourcefulness allows her to escape a life-threatening situation, leading to a tense confrontation between the two Sa-eons. A

s layers of secrets unravel, the narrative explores the horrifying truth of past murders, Chairman Baek’s sinister dealings, and the emotional toll on everyone involved. Amidst the chaos, Hee-joo and Sa-eon share a tender moment, offering a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak scenario. However, the episode ends on a devastating note as Hee-joo crashes a car into a lake to escape the murderer, leaving Sa-eon desperate and the audience breathless, anticipating the next chapter.

– Contains Spoilers –

When the Phone Rings Episode 11 Recap

Episode 11 of When the Phone Rings delivers an emotional rollercoaster as Sa-eon finds himself consumed by regret and desperation. The episode opens with him lost in thoughts of “what-ifs.” What if he had confessed his feelings three years ago, right after marrying Hee-joo? What if she had agreed to make their marriage work? These unspoken feelings weigh heavily on him as we return to the cliffhanger from the previous episode. Hee-joo’s desperate decision to crash her car leaves everyone scrambling for answers.

Despite Hee-joo’s plea for him to stay away, Sa-eon cannot abandon her. He’s determined to track her down, but by the time authorities locate traces of the accident, the situation appears bleak. The car had crashed through a guardrail and plunged into a vast body of water. The police assure Sa-eon they will begin the search immediately, but the uncertainty gnaws at him. Meanwhile, Hee-joo’s family arrives at the scene, frantic and demanding answers. Amid this chaos, Ui-hyong confronts II-kyeong in a heated argument, adding to the turmoil. Sa-eon’s worry deepens when he realizes his mother is conspicuously absent and requests the detective to investigate her whereabouts.

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Later that evening, Sa-eon visits the family home to review Kyu-jin’s car dashcam footage. To his frustration, he discovers that the footage has been wiped clean. Suspicious, he contacts the detective and urges him to obtain a warrant to search Kyu-jin’s car. However, Kyu-jin catches him in the act, leading to a tense confrontation. Kyu-jin’s response is both chilling and revealing. She confesses that years ago, she lived in constant fear, convinced her son had drowned in the lake. Manipulated by Jang-ho’s lies, she spent years searching for her child, consumed by desperation. Her bitterness is palpable as she declares that Sa-eon deserves the same pain she endured.

The next morning, the story takes an unexpected turn. You-ri veers off-script during a live news broadcast, imploring the public to help find Hee-joo. Her heartfelt plea inspires her to take action, and she joins Sang-woo on a trip to the crash site. Along the way, Sang-woo confides in her, revealing that Hee-joo can speak, a fact You-ri hadn’t known. This revelation fuels You-ri’s resolve to scold Hee-joo when they find her. Upon arriving at the site, they encounter Sa-eon’s colleagues but no sign of Sa-eon himself. He had left abruptly after receiving a call from the lead detective.

As the search continues, the lack of progress weighs on everyone. Many begin to fear that Hee-joo might not be found alive. But Sa-eon refuses to give up. He’s resolute, convinced that they must keep searching until she’s found. However, the detective delivers bad news: they couldn’t secure a warrant to investigate Kyu-jin. Sa-eon, undeterred, proposes a solution to bypass this hurdle.

Meanwhile, Ui-yong holds a press conference, recounting a fabricated story of how he and his wife discovered a homeless child after losing their own son. He paints a moving but entirely false narrative. The press conference takes a dramatic turn when Hyeok-jin interrupts, playing a recording of Do-jae’s testimony. In this recording, Do-jae connects the kidnapper to the missing children from the orphanage and implicates Paik Jang-ho in a cover-up. Ui-yong attempts to suppress the recording, but a greater shock ensues when the police interrupt to arrest Kyu-jin on charges of murder.

At the precinct, Kyu-jin exudes confidence, believing there is no evidence tying her to any crime. She assumes the charges pertain to Hee-joo, but the reality is far graver: she’s accused of murdering Paik Jang-ho. A shocking piece of evidence surfaces—a hidden camera embedded in a ring Paik Jang-ho wore on his deathbed. The footage reveals their final conversation, in which Jang-ho admits that Sa-eon is his biological son and refuses to apologize for what happened to Kyu-jin’s child. Enraged, Kyu-jin is seen smothering him with a pillow. This damning evidence, which Sa-eon had held onto for years, becomes his weapon to dismantle the Paik family and save Hee-joo.

Even with the walls closing in, Kyu-jin refuses to admit to knowing Hee-joo’s whereabouts. She coldly insists that Hee-joo is of no use to her, dead or alive. But Sa-eon sees through her lies, aware of the depth of her hatred for him. He’s certain she’s keeping Hee-joo alive solely to torment him with the unknown.

In a flashback, the truth is revealed. When Hee-joo’s car hit the guardrail, it didn’t plunge into the water. Mr. Min, acting on Kyu-jin’s orders, found Hee-joo and the kidnapper. He brought them to an old mansion near the orphanage, where they were locked in separate basement rooms. Hee-joo eventually regained consciousness but refused to eat, understanding Kyu-jin’s twisted endgame. She resolved to die rather than let Kyu-jin succeed in tormenting Sa-eon.

As Sa-eon and Kyu-jin clash, the police restore the deleted dashcam footage and pinpoint Hee-joo’s location. Everyone rushes to the old mansion, with Sa-eon leading the charge. As he speeds toward the site, all he can do is pray that Hee-joo holds on until he arrives.

Meanwhile, Mr. Min has a change of heart. Defying Kyu-jin’s orders, he frees Hee-joo but attempts to lock the kidnapper in the basement. Just as he’s about to secure the door, Ui-yong arrives with a gun, demanding that he open it. Chaos ensues as Hee-joo flees into the woods, only to hear a gunshot and collapse in exhaustion. Back in the basement, Mr. Min lies injured while Ui-yong and the kidnapper struggle for the weapon. In a poignant moment, Ui-yong sees himself in the kidnapper and hesitates, allowing the kidnapper to seize control and shoot him. The gunshot startles Hee-joo awake, prompting her to run for her life.

Determined to survive, Hee-joo pushes through the woods, driven by her longing to see Sa-eon again. Just as she reaches the main road, Sa-eon’s car pulls up. Relief washes over both of them as they embrace. The police arrive moments later, prompting the kidnapper to hide. Sa-eon carries Hee-joo to his car, and she warns him that the kidnapper is armed and still on the loose. Deciding to prioritize her safety, Sa-eon drives her to the hospital, escorted by the lead detective.

However, the nightmare isn’t over. The kidnapper steps in front of Sa-eon’s car, forcing him to stop. He demands that Sa-eon get out, ignoring Hee-joo’s pleas to stay inside. Promising to end the ordeal once and for all, Sa-eon exits the car and tries to reason with the kidnapper. But the kidnapper, fueled by resentment, accuses Sa-eon of bearing the sins of his father, Paik Jang-ho. Whatever he whispers to Sa-eon leaves him visibly shattered. With tears in his eyes, he glances back at Hee-joo, who watches helplessly from the car. The police arrive, surrounding the two men, but the kidnapper remains defiant.

In a chilling climax, the kidnapper raises his gun toward Sa-eon. A gunshot rings out, and the screen cuts to Hee-joo imagining a life of happiness with Sa-eon. She’s haunted by unanswered questions: Why did Sa-eon leave her? What did the kidnapper say to him? She repeatedly calls Sa-eon, but he never answers. The episode ends on a heart-wrenching note as Hee-joo receives an international call. She picks up eagerly, hoping it’s Sa-eon. The caller remains silent, but she holds onto hope that it’s him.

When the Phone Rings Episode 11 Review

The stakes are higher than ever as Sa-eon battles against time, secrets, and his own heartbreak to find Hee-joo. From Hee-joo’s daring crash to the chilling confrontation with the kidnapper, every scene is laced with tension. The layers of mystery deepen as Kyu-jin’s sinister motives are laid bare, revealing just how far she’s willing to go to torment Sa-eon. The twists come fast and hard—dashcam footage, hidden mansions, and shocking betrayals—keeping viewers glued to the edge of their seats. Just when you think the chaos couldn’t escalate, the episode ends on a heart-stopping cliffhanger, leaving us questioning Sa-eon’s fate and the meaning behind his haunting silence.

But amidst the chaos, When the Phone Rings never loses its emotional core. Hee-joo’s evolving will to live, fueled by her love for Sa-eon, is beautifully juxtaposed with Sa-eon’s unwavering determination to save her. The episode also offers glimmers of redemption, with characters like Mr. Min showing surprising courage in the face of danger. The heartbreaking reunion between Sa-eon and Hee-joo, albeit brief, is a standout moment that tugs at the heartstrings. The emotional weight of their connection—and the lengths they go to for each other—cements this episode as one of the series’ most memorable. With a mix of action, drama, and devastatingly tender moments, Episode 11 sets the stage for an unforgettable finale.

When the Phone Rings is streaming on Netflix.

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