When the Phone Rings Episode 5 Review: Delivers Drama Like Never Before

In Episode 4 of When The Phone Rings, Hee-Joo’s emotional struggles come to the forefront as she breaks down in tears while with Sa-Eon, whose growing curiosity about her deepens. Tensions escalate when Sa-Eon defends her against his father’s cruel remarks during a family dinner, but he later confronts her for silently enduring such mistreatment. Meanwhile, Hee-Joo prepares for an interpreter interview, impressing Sa-Eon and his colleagues with her skills, though his suspicions about her “mute” condition begin to grow.

A flashback reveals Sa-Eon’s protective instincts toward Hee-Joo from their childhood, while in the present, his complicated feelings for her become evident. As family conflicts resurface at an event hosted by Hee-Joo’s stepfather, her frustration culminates in a drunken confrontation with Sa-Eon about their sham marriage, leading him to find her on a rooftop in a precarious state. The episode ends with Sa-Eon discovering dashcam footage that confirms Hee-Joo’s secret: she isn’t actually mute.

– Contains Spoilers –

When the Phone Rings Episode 5 Recap

Episode 5 of When The Phone Rings opens with Sa-eon receiving a call from the mysterious kidnapper, urging him to head to the rooftop. On his way, he overhears Hee-joo’s mother speaking with the hospital, informing them they no longer need to pay for her father’s treatment. The revelation seems to spark a protective instinct in Sa-eon, who confronts Hee-joo’s mother about her silence on the matter. She explains that Hee-joo lost her voice following a traumatic car accident that claimed her brother’s life and left her sister, In-a, deaf. The lingering effects of that tragedy, she claims, are far from over. Sa-eon is surprised that something from so long ago still holds such a powerful grip on Hee-joo.

When Sa-eon reaches the rooftop, he finds Hee-joo standing dangerously close to the edge. Startled by his presence, she panics and nearly loses her balance, but Sa-eon catches her in time. Seizing the moment, he questions how she could have been making phone calls when she supposedly cannot speak. For the first time in two decades, Sa-eon hears a sound from Hee-joo as she hiccups—a small but significant moment that leaves him stunned.

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He reminisces about a childhood memory where Hee-joo remained utterly silent, even when a menacing German Shepherd chased after her. Despite his growing suspicions, Sa-eon convinces himself that Hee-joo’s secret must be tied to something deeply personal, and perhaps, revealing it would mean exposing a secret of his own. The following day brings good news for Hee-joo: she has passed her interview and is now part of the presidential team.

Overwhelmed with emotion, she tears up while reading the announcement. Her colleagues rally around her, offering congratulations and sharing in her excitement. Wanting to share the news with Sa-eon but unsure how to express her feelings, Hee-joo accidentally sends him a heart-eye emoji with no context. To her relief, Sa-eon responds warmly, congratulating her. Deciding to celebrate her achievement, Sa-eon enlists the help of his teammates to find the perfect gift. They suggest buying her a professional suit to mark her new role, and he invites Hee-joo to a luxury boutique to pick one out.

As they shop, In-a, Hee-joo’s sister, happens to be in the same store. Although their paths don’t cross, her presence hints at potential trouble. In-a seems intent on stirring up drama between Sa-eon and Hee-joo, despite being the one who originally declined to marry Sa-eon. A flashback reveals that during their school days, Sa-eon tutored In-a in math, often delivering harsh critiques while Hee-joo softened his words by writing kind messages for her sister. This dynamic underscores the complicated relationship between the three.

Meanwhile, Sang-woo takes Yu-ri to a grand villa near the orphanage he once lived in, hoping to uncover clues about a dark incident from twenty years ago. Sang-woo shares a chilling memory of befriending a cat during his time there, only to run away in horror when a rich boy he was acquainted with suggested dismembering the animal. This disturbing recollection fuels Sang-woo’s investigation, leaving viewers to wonder about the connection between the villa, the kidnapper, and Sang-woo himself. Could Sang-woo eventually turn out to be the villain, or is he merely scratching the surface of a larger mystery?

After their shopping trip, Sa-eon and Hee-joo head to dinner. During the meal, Hee-joo receives a message from Sang-woo congratulating her on her new position and suggesting they meet. Sa-eon encourages her to agree but insists on accompanying her. Once again, the group of four gathers, with Sang-woo and Yu-ri joining them. Yu-ri’s lack of social awareness adds a touch of humor to the tense dynamic, but it’s the clash between Sa-eon and Sang-woo that takes center stage.

Throughout the evening, the two men exchange subtle barbs, their rivalry intensified by Sang-woo’s knowledge of Hee-joo’s past. Sa-eon learns that Hee-joo once dreamed of becoming a newscaster but has since let go of that ambition, content with her current path. This revelation further fuels Sa-eon’s jealousy, as Sang-woo seems to know more about Hee-joo than he does. Determined to bridge the gap, Sa-eon resolves to learn sign language, starting with simple phrases like Hee-joo’s name and “I’m happy to meet you.”

Sensing the tension, Hee-joo steps outside, as it’s time for her nightly call to Sa-eon. He follows shortly after, claiming he’s going to buy ice cream. The duo’s absence goes unnoticed by Sang-woo and Yu-ri, who remain oblivious to their private exchange. During the call, Sa-eon begins to confess his true feelings for Hee-joo, but the moment is interrupted by a near-tragedy. As Sa-eon crosses the street to the convenience store where Hee-joo is waiting, a car speeds toward him.

In a moment of panic, Hee-joo screams his name and pushes him to safety. Sa-eon is shaken, not just by the near-accident but by the fact that he heard Hee-joo’s voice clearly for the first time in years. He tells her he wants to hear more, but she remains silent, overwhelmed by the situation. At work, Hee-joo begins teaching Sa-eon sign language, marking a shift in their relationship. Meanwhile, Sa-eon continues to investigate the mysterious calls. He discovers that the voice on the phone belongs to a woman in her twenties and even listens to a sample of it.

Though he suspects Hee-joo, he briefly entertains the idea that In-a might be involved, given her history of manipulation. Elsewhere, Hee-joo receives another call from the kidnapper, who cryptically warns that Sa-eon will soon uncover her true identity. The revelation leaves Hee-joo unsettled, as the kidnapper claims to know Sa-eon better than anyone else and is determined to see him fail. What could Hee-joo be hiding, and how does it connect to the kidnapper’s vendetta against Sa-eon?

The episode concludes with a drunk Sa-eon being dropped off at home. Letting the driver go, he falls asleep in his car. Hee-joo, arriving in a separate taxi, notices him and struggles to wake him up. She eventually manages to drag him inside, but in the process, they both trip and fall to the floor, ending up in a compromising position with their lips accidentally pressed together. On Sa-eon’s phone, a message from his junior reveals a crucial breakthrough: it’s clear that Sa-eon now knows the voice belongs to Hee-joo.

When the Phone Rings Episode 5 Review

Episode 5 of When The Phone Rings masterfully balances emotional depth with suspense, leaving viewers deeply invested in the characters’ unraveling mysteries and relationships. The episode’s opening rooftop scene establishes a high-stakes atmosphere as Sa-eon grapples with Hee-joo’s apparent secrets, underscoring his growing determination to protect her. This is juxtaposed with touching moments, like his shock at hearing a sound from her for the first time in decades. The layered storytelling effectively explores themes of trauma, unspoken truths, and personal growth, as Sa-eon edges closer to uncovering Hee-joo’s hidden struggles while wrestling with his own fears of vulnerability.

The interpersonal dynamics take center stage during Hee-joo’s celebration and subsequent dinner with Sa-eon, Sang-woo, and Yu-ri. The contrast between Sa-eon’s supportive gestures, such as gifting Hee-joo a suit, and Sang-woo’s deeper knowledge of her past heightens the tension between the two men. This rivalry is amplified by Sa-eon’s growing jealousy and his desire to connect with Hee-joo on a more meaningful level, driving his decision to learn sign language.

The episode’s climax delivers a riveting mix of action and emotional revelation as Hee-joo saves Sa-eon from a speeding car, her voice breaking through years of silence in a moment of desperation. This pivotal scene, coupled with Sa-eon’s realization about the phone calls, sets the stage for explosive revelations in future episodes.

When the Phone Rings is streaming on Netflix.

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