The Netflix and MBC K-drama When the Phone Rings has taken the streaming platform by storm since its premiere on November 22. Starring Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae Soo Bin, the thrilling series has drawn viewers with its blend of suspense and romantic comedy tropes, including the ever-popular arranged marriage storyline.
As the show continues to dominate online discussions, fans were left frustrated and puzzled when episodes five and six, expected to drop on December 6 and 7, were noticeably absent. What caused this unexpected delay? Here’s everything you need to know.
Why “When the Phone Rings” Episodes Are Delayed
An announcement by the Korean broadcaster MBC revealed that episodes five and six of When the Phone Rings, which regularly airs on Fridays and Saturdays, were postponed to accommodate special news coverage. This coverage was prompted by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law on December 3. Although the martial law was rescinded the next day following a unanimous vote by legislators, its aftermath continued to dominate the national discourse, culminating in a motion for the president’s impeachment on December 7.
As a result, When the Phone Rings will now resume airing on December 13 and 14. The show is one of several programs affected by South Korea’s recent political events, alongside SBS’s The Fiery Priest 2, JTBC’s The Tale of Lady Ok, Channel A’s Marry You, and popular variety shows like Inkigayo and Music Core.
“When the Phone Rings” Episode Release Schedule
This isn’t the first time When the Phone Rings has faced schedule changes. Earlier, MBC announced that episodes scheduled for December 14 and 20 would be delayed to make way for a special documentary about Han Kang, the first Korean Nobel Prize laureate in Literature. During that announcement, the network revealed plans to air a recap of episodes one through seven on December 20.
However, in light of the recent delay due to the news coverage on December 6 and 7, Netflix’s current schedules on its streaming platforms indicate that regular programming will resume on December 13 and 14.
- Episode 5 – December 13
- Episode 6 – December 14
- Episode 7 – December 20
- Episode 8 – December 21
- Episode 9 – December 27
- Episode 10 – December 28
- Episode 11 – January 3
- Episode 12 – January 4
Preview has reached out to Netflix Philippines for confirmation regarding these changes but has yet to receive a response at the time of writing.
What Is “When the Phone Rings” About?
When the Phone Rings follows Paik Sa-eon (Yoo Yeon Seok), the youngest presidential spokesman in Korea and a member of a prestigious political family. Despite his success, his personal life is far from perfect. Three years ago, he entered into a marriage of convenience with Hong Hee-joo (Chae Soo Bin), the daughter of a newspaper mogul.
Hong Hee-Joo, who became mute after a childhood accident, works as a sign language interpreter for courts and television. Although the couple appears happily married in public, they lead entirely separate lives, rarely communicating or sharing meals. Their carefully maintained façade crumbles when Hee-Joo is kidnapped by an unknown assailant, forcing them to confront their complicated relationship and hidden truths.
When the Phone Rings is streaming on Netflix.
Hey, Preview readers! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Tiktok, and Twitter to stay up to speed on all things trendy and creative. We’ll curate the most stylish feed for you!
