K-Drama ‘When the Phone Rings’ Hits 4.4 Million Views and Teases a Delicate Shift in Romance (New Stills)

The buzzworthy drama 'When the Phone Rings' unveiled a new teaser stills on the 19th(KST).

The MBC Friday-Saturday drama 'When the Phone Rings' is enjoying immense popularity both domestically and internationally. With its compelling storyline and outstanding performances from the cast, the show has garnered enthusiastic responses from global audiences, achieving remarkable milestones. In the new teaser, Sa-eon (played by Yoo Yeon-seok) is seen by the side of an injured Hee-joo (played by Chae Soo-bin), raising curiosity about how their relationship will evolve.

The drama’s success is evident as it ranked No. 2 on Netflix’s Global TOP 10 TV (Non-English) category during its third week of broadcast. It has amassed an impressive 4.4 million views, topping the charts in six countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Furthermore, the show has entered the TOP 10 in 49 countries, solidifying its global impact.

Ratings have also shown steady growth. Starting with 5.5% for its premiere, the drama reached 6.0% by its third episode and recorded its highest rating of 6.9% with the sixth episode.

'When the Phone Rings' is a secret romance-thriller revolving around the hidden lives of a show-window couple, sparked by a threatening phone call. Yoo Yeon-seok and Chae Soo-bin’s immersive performances have been a driving force behind the show’s success. The chemistry between the two leads, combined with their exceptional acting, has received praise from viewers, further amplifying the drama’s buzz.

According to Good Data Corporation, 'When the Phone Rings' ranked third in the drama buzz category, with Yoo Yeon-seok and Chae Soo-bin placing second and fourth respectively in the actor buzz rankings. Additionally, the drama secured the top spot in the Voice of Netizen (VON) category, reflecting its high level of public interest.

On Naver Open Chat, approximately 500,000 viewers have joined discussions about the show, sharing rave reviews such as how fun the drama is and how they can’t wait for the next episode, expressing their amazement at its addictive quality with comments like, “How can anyone stop watching ‘When the Phone Rings’?” Others praised its emotional impact, saying, “This drama has reignited my dopamine rush after ages,” while some shared their hopes for a satisfying conclusion with remarks like, “Hoping for a happy ending...”

Viewers also expressed high expectations for its recognition, with comments like, “This deserves Drama of the Year,” and praised the cast’s outstanding performances, noting, “The acting is so top-notch, it’s a must-watch.”

Thanks to its widespread popularity, lead actors Chae Soo-bin and Yoo Yeon-seok have been nominated for the Best Couple Award at the 2024 MBC Drama Awards. The 12-episode series airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 PM KST.