The arranged marriage facade between Baek Sa Eon (Yoo Yeon Seok) and Hong Hee Joo (Chae Soo Bin) finally crumbled as the pair acknowledged their true feelings for each other, driving the show’s ratings to new heights. Episode 6 of MBC’s When the Phone Rings, aired on December 14th, captivated viewers as Sa Eon revealed his long-harbored devotion of 20 years after finally recognizing Hee Joo’s true feelings.
The episode revealed Sa Eon finally discovering what viewers have known all along – that Hee Joo was behind the threatening calls. Hee Joo had been posing as a blackmailer, making these calls to Sa Eon in her attempt to end their marriage of convenience.
Through their anonymous phone conversations, the episode unveiled both characters’ hidden truths: Sa Eon had pursued the arranged marriage to free Hee Joo from her oppressive life, while Hee Joo had always yearned for Sa Eon’s genuine attention and feelings. The episode concluded with Sa Eon frantically searching for Hee Joo after her disappearance from a cliff, leaving viewers eager.
The episode achieved a 6.9% viewership rating according to Nielsen Korea, surpassing the previous high of 6% set by episode 3. The peak rating reached 9.2%, suggesting an upward trend. The ratings boost was partly attributed to the absence of JTBC’s The Tale of Lady Ok due to special coverage of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment revote.
When the Phone Rings is based on a web novel of the same name. It tells the story of a couple bound by an arranged marriage between their families who live like strangers until threatening phone calls bring them closer together.
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