In the previous episode of When the Phone Rings, Sa-eon and Hee-joo’s strained marriage becomes more intricate as secrets unravel and tensions rise. Sa-eon grows suspicious of Hee-joo after noticing her injuries from the kidnapping attempt and later discovering erased dashcam footage. Hee-joo struggles to maintain her facade, fearing the exposure of her recovered voice and the truth behind their marriage. Sa-eon’s jealousy surfaces after seeing photos of Hee-joo with her college friend Sang-woo, who reenters her life, bringing emotional conflict.
Meanwhile, Hee-joo’s rebellious actions as the “kidnapper” escalate Sa-eon’s investigation, leading to dramatic misunderstandings. Flashbacks reveal the circumstances of their marriage and the bride swap orchestrated by Hee-joo’s mother, adding depth to their relationship. The episode ends on a tense note as Sa-eon questions Hee-joo’s loyalty, setting the stage for further revelations.
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When the Phone Rings Ep 3 Runtime
59 minutes
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When the Phone Rings Kdrama Cast
Yoo Yeon-seok, Chae Soo-bin, Heo Nam-jun, Jang Gyu-ri, Jin Kyung, Han Jae-yi
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When the Phone Rings Director
Park Sang-woo
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AKA
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– Contains Spoilers –
When the Phone Rings Episode 3 Recap
The episode begins with a flashback of Baek Sa-eon in his office, abruptly cutting off a call from the kidnapper (Hee-joo). Moments later, a bomb explodes at the office, revealing through CCTV footage that an unknown man had left an explosive disguised as a food delivery at the entrance. Fortunately, there are no serious injuries. Sa-eon quickly leaves the hospital to ensure Hee-joo’s safety. At home, in a tense confrontation, he attempts to check the mole on her thigh, suspecting her involvement, but she reacts angrily, questioning his motives. He apologizes and requests that she stay home for her safety.
The following day, Sa-eon’s assistant brings him new details about the caller and the explosion. However, the investigation yields no solid leads on the perpetrator. Meanwhile, Hee-joo is thrown into panic, wondering how the explosive incident occurred when all she had done was make prank calls to irritate Sa-eon. She switches off the kidnapper’s phone, vowing to end her charade.
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Elsewhere, Yu-ri and Sang-woo attend an HBC meeting, where Sang-woo discusses an unrevealed crime story from his time at the Nuri Dream Center orphanage. While sharing a chilling anecdote, he abruptly ends his story as an alarm goes off, excusing himself for lunch with Hee-joo. Meanwhile, Sa-eon, checking Hee-joo’s phone, finds a text from Sang-woo. Noticing a picture of them together with the Nuri Dream Center sign in the background, Sa-eon becomes increasingly curious and decides to confront them both.
Sa-eon manipulates the situation by ensuring that he, Yu-ri, Sang-woo, and Hee-joo have lunch together. His cold demeanor makes things awkward, but Sang-woo remains unfazed. When Yu-ri asks how Sa-eon knows Hee-joo, he fabricates a story about a past business meeting. Sensing Sa-eon’s unusual behavior, Hee-joo excuses herself to the restroom. During this time, Sa-eon receives a call from his assistant, who reports the arrest of a suspicious man present near the scene of the explosion. As Sa-eon prepares to leave, Hee-joo confronts him, accusing him of suspecting her and Sang-woo of wrongdoing.
Sa-eon deflects, questioning how well she knows Sang-woo and pointing out how little they know about each other’s pasts. Before leaving, Sa-eon requests Sang-woo’s business card. Afterward, Hee-joo heads to her workplace, where she officially applies for the interpreter position at the presidential office. During a conversation with her superior, she reveals her belief that Sa-eon wishes her dead, referencing his chilling words to the kidnapper: “I’ll only believe it when I see a corpse.” Unaware that Sa-eon had dismissed the kidnapping threat because he didn’t believe it, Hee-joo misinterprets his words as a desire for her death.
Back at home, Sa-eon surprises Hee-joo by lying in her bed, asking her to sleep next to him. Though hesitant, she eventually agrees after he assures her he has no intentions beyond offering comfort. As she falls asleep, Sa-eon quietly leaves, watching her thoughtfully. Hee-joo dreams of her childhood, recalling how her mother forced her to fake muteness after a tragic accident in which the chairman’s son died, and his daughter became deaf. Her mother saw an opportunity to use Hee-joo as a tool to manipulate the chairman into providing their family with financial support.
Meanwhile, a member of a group opposing Sa-eon kidnaps Hee-joo’s father and contacts her via video call. This man, revealed to be her previous kidnapper, threatens her with her father’s safety if she stops using his phone to threaten Sa-eon. To reinforce his threat, he shows her a handful of bloody human teeth. Distraught, Hee-joo rushes to the hospital, where she finds her father resting. The police reveal that human teeth were found in his hand, which do not belong to him. Her sick father mumbles the same words the kidnapper had used, increasing her unease.
The police escort Hee-joo back home, but during the drive, the car’s radio malfunctions. Overwhelmed, Hee-joo begins vomiting, prompting the officers to pull over. She breaks down, lamenting her miserable life: a husband who seems to hate her, a manipulative mother, and constant threats from the kidnapper. Just as despair consumes her, a car and patrol vehicle arrive. Sa-eon steps out, addressing Hee-joo as his wife in front of everyone for the first time. His protective demeanor startles her, leaving her unsure of his true feelings.
When the Phone Rings Episode 3 Review
In this gripping episode of When the Phone Rings, the tension escalates as Sa-eon and Hee-joo’s lives intertwine with mystery and danger. The aftermath of the bomb explosion in Sa-eon’s office sets the tone for a thrilling narrative, showcasing Sa-eon’s increasing protectiveness towards Hee-joo. However, his suspicion and controlling behavior create friction, leading to a tense confrontation at home. The episode skillfully delves into Hee-joo’s inner turmoil as she struggles with her role as the kidnapper and grapples with the growing threats from a dangerous adversary. Her decision to stop her charade and the shocking revelation about her father’s involvement in the kidnapper’s schemes heighten the emotional stakes.
The lunch meeting introduces new dynamics, especially with Sang-woo’s involvement, adding complexity to the already strained relationship between Sa-eon and Hee-joo. The flashbacks to Hee-joo’s childhood and her mother’s manipulation provide a heartbreaking glimpse into her past, adding depth to her character. The episode ends on a poignant note as Sa-eon’s unexpected public acknowledgment of Hee-joo as his wife offers a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. With its blend of suspense, emotional depth, and character revelations, this episode keeps viewers engrossed and eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this tangled tale.
When the Phone Rings is streaming on Netflix.
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