When The Phone Rings Breaking Clichés: Artistry and Psychology.

When the Phone Rings might seem like a clichéd, forced/convenience/fake marriage drama with an overused storyline. However, allow me to say that succeeding in creating a K-drama with clichéd and overconsumed elements is a mastery in itself that deserves acknowledgment and praise. Despite the convenient marriage trope, this K-drama feels—and is—different.

It is remarkable how some subtle changes and implicit artistry transform the entire feel of a work of visual art.

The attention to detail and mystery in When The Phone Rings are off the charts. But let’s first talk about my favorite ever: character development. You can read more about Hee-Joo’s and Sa-Eon’s in ep7-8 here.

Character Development Subtle Art in When The Phone Rings

Character development is a major influence on how we perceive experiences, relationships, and other people in general. The character development in When The Phone Rings is one of a kind. It might seem simple, but it is profoundly and unconsciously impactful in mirroring the subtle details of human behavior in similar situations. When we take a couple whose marriage is on the edge of collapse and challenge them to face their own truths—about themselves, their identities, and their feelings—it results in a rising slope of growth rather than the plateau many relationships end up in. This growth leads to learning and change triggered by challenges and hardships, forging new pathways in our brains to become better, both for ourselves and our loved ones.

It might seem that the “Tsundere” profile given to the male lead in When The Phone Rings is a toxic portrayal, but in reality, the show explores how an emotionally shy and reserved person who hasn’t healed from their traumas grows to realize how their patterns harm both themselves and their partner. The drama portrays the real-life journey of healing and self-development. Nobody is perfect, and throughout our lifetimes, we accumulate traumas and psychological baggage that subtly influence our behavior, often unconsciously. The process of recognizing one’s own faults, flaws, and toxic traits—and the effort it takes to address them and improve—is part of the healing journey that needs to be exhibited in well-executed artworks viewed by millions.

It is rare to find a male lead who is mature enough to look beyond the surface when his partner resorts to blackmail. Clichéd tropes would have resulted in a further gap between the couple, or even more drama, with both partners playing the victim and refusing to own their share of the problem. In When The Phone Rings, Paek Sa Eon, as soon as he discovers his wife’s actions, doesn’t blame her or confront her with accusations. Instead, he takes time to digest the situation, understand her motives, and trust that she must have been desperate to resort to such methods. His excellence lies in seeing the situation from her perspective, acknowledging his share of the problem, and working to make amends.

He never blames her because he puts himself in her shoes and feels her desperation. It is precious to find someone who sees from another’s point of view and tries to understand instead of simply judging or playing the victim.

Plot Focus and Unconventional Dynamics of When The Phone Rings

Absence of Love Triangles: A refreshing factor is the absence of an overused love triangle. Rather than focusing on external romantic conflicts, the plot emphasizes internal struggles and the couple’s journey to rebuild their bond. Both with themselves, and each other. The subplot with Ji Sang Woo and Na Yu-ri being the 2nd leads neatly ties loose ends without creating unnecessary melodrama, steering the story in a mature direction.

Layered Mystery and Intrigue: The plot isn’t just a straight-line romance; it’s interwoven with layers of mystery and subtle political undertones, keeping viewers engaged on multiple levels. Every revelation adds depth to the characters’ motivations and raises the stakes for their decisions ultimately testing our own and bringing many of our daily actions/thoughts into question.

Feminine Agency in Female Characters

The female lead, Hong Hee-Joo, breaks free from the mold of a passive victim often seen in similar dramas. She is a fiercely independent character with her own strengths and motives that significantly drive the plot. With her, viewers got to see how femininity and vulnerability are subtly strong. Her stubbornness in following her instincts, even when it clashes with her husband’s decisions, showcases her assertiveness. Hee Joo’s evolution is marked by significant moments, such as finally confronting her mother, standing up to years of gaslighting, and fearlessly attacking her kidnapper to save herself in ep 10.

Her audacity in blackmailing her husband—believing it’s her way out of a theatrical play—is not only a strategic move but also a testament to her fierce and resourceful nature. Her layered character highlights resilience and agency, moving away from the trope of women solely defined by their relationships, and adding a refreshing depth to the narrative.

One of my favorite scenes is when she unconsciously remembers the key traumatic events of her life after the cliff fall, right before she gets rescued. How she pleads her younger self to speak up for herself and reject her mother’s manipulative requests, the way she tries to let the people surrounding her know she is there, present, alive and worth their attention and love. These scenes might seem merely for the melodrama, but in reality, they depict the very truth we all carry in different ways: childhood traumas.

However, it is not just the portrayal of the trauma that is inspiring, as it is well present in most productions, it is rather the way she revisits her trauma and strives for a change. The way she is ready to change her brain chemistry to heal and overcome her burdens. It is the brave decision to face your darkest and most vulnerable parts acknowledging it’s your responsibility. This could serve as a reminder to face your scariest parts, visit the memories that cause the most pain and accept, face and heal them. This is a quick reminder to be kind to yourself, your inner child needs you and you are stronger than you think.

Stay tuned for the upcoming 2nd part of Breaking Clichés,

Love,