The finale of When the Phone Rings delivered a whirlwind of emotions, tying up loose ends while leaving viewers with plenty to ponder. From heart-stopping rescues to heartfelt reunions, the drama’s conclusion was a fitting end to a series that thrived on unpredictability and emotional depth. While the finale may have left some scratching their heads, it undeniably stayed true to the show’s core themes of love, redemption, and the power of honest communication.
A Desperate Search and a Glimmer of Hope
As the final episodes unfolded, the search for Hee-joo (played by the brilliant Chae Soo-bin) reached its peak. Sa-eon (Yoo Yeon-seok), haunted by regret over his cold demeanor during the early years of their marriage, refused to give up hope, even when Hee-joo’s belongings were found in the river. His repeated mantra, “Call me when there’s a corpse,” transformed from a callous dismissal into a passionate declaration of his unwavering determination to find her.
The discovery of a secret underground chamber brought a glimmer of hope, as both Hee-joo and her kidnapper were found alive. However, the drama was far from over. A tense chase through the woods, a dramatic car crash, and a tearful reunion between Hee-joo and Sa-eon kept viewers on the edge of their seats.
A Convoluted Fakeout and Emotional Revelations
The finale took a dramatic turn with a convoluted fakeout that left fans questioning everything. After a gunshot rang out, Hee-joo’s narration suggested that Sa-eon was “gone,” echoing his earlier musings about whether their relationship could have been different if they had been honest sooner. However, it was later revealed that the kidnapper had been shot by the police, not Sa-eon.
Despite this, the emotional weight of the scene lingered, as Hee-joo’s recurring dream of Sa-eon being shot dead in front of her added a layer of poignancy to the moment. While Sa-eon survived, he chose to disappear, donating all his assets and resigning as press secretary. His absence left Hee-joo clinging to memories and scraps of information about him, hoping for his return.
The Big Secret and a Long-Awaited Reunion
The kidnapper’s whispered secret to Sa-eon—revealing that his father, Chairman Baek, orchestrated Hee-joo’s family’s car accident—became the catalyst for Sa-eon’s self-imposed exile. Wracked with guilt, he disappeared to punish himself, leaving Hee-joo in the dark. However, Hee-joo’s unwavering determination to find him led her to a war-torn country, where she was once again kidnapped—a move that, as always, succeeded in getting Sa-eon’s attention.
Their reunion was both tender and fiery, as Hee-joo confronted Sa-eon about his decision to leave without explanation. While she didn’t fully call him out for punishing her as well as himself, her words resonated deeply: “How long do you expect me to wait?” Their emotional reconciliation culminated in a long-awaited moment of intimacy, bathed in golden light, symbolizing the dawn of a new chapter in their relationship.

A New Beginning
The finale fast-forwarded to an undefined time later, showing Sa-eon—now renamed Baek Yu-yeon, meaning “One and only love”—and Hee-joo remarried and surrounded by friends and laughter. Their new home was filled with joy, and even side characters like Yoo-ri and Sang-woo found happiness, announcing their own plans to marry.
Hee-joo’s reconciliation with her family added another layer of closure, as her stepfather expressed genuine happiness for her, her mother had a change of heart, and In-ah offered a heartfelt apology. Hee-joo’s vow to forget the past and live happily in the present encapsulated the show’s overarching message of healing and moving forward.
A Flirty Finale and a Lesson in Communication
The drama wrapped up with a flirty phone call between Yu-yeon and Hee-joo, as he embarked on a hostage negotiation mission abroad. Their playful banter underscored the importance of honest communication in a healthy relationship, a theme that had been central to the show. Yu-yeon’s request for Hee-joo to never hold back her complaints was a nod to her fiery, unapologetic personality—a trait that had driven much of the show’s action.
Final Thoughts
While the finale of When the Phone Rings may have been a bit convoluted and over-the-top, it stayed true to the show’s essence: a wild, emotional ride filled with twists, tears, and triumphs. Hee-joo’s unhinged yet endearing determination, Sa-eon’s journey from cold detachment to passionate devotion, and the show’s exploration of love, guilt, and redemption made for a memorable viewing experience.
In the end, the drama reminded us that a happy, healthy relationship is built on honesty, communication, and the willingness to fight for each other—no matter how many kidnappings, car crashes, or war zones stand in the way. And for that, When the Phone Rings will be remembered as a wacky, heartfelt whirlwind of a show that kept us hooked until the very end.