When the Phone Rings Parents Guide and Age Rating:
“When the Phone Rings” (original title: Ji-geum Geo-sin Jeon-hwa-neun) is an upcoming South Korean TV series set to premiere on November 22, 2024. Blending elements of drama, mystery, romance, and thriller, the series promises to captivate viewers with its intense storyline and stellar performances. The show follows the complicated lives of Baek Sa-Eon and Hong Hee-Joo, a couple bound by a marriage of convenience whose lives are shaken when unexpected events force them to confront their relationship.
“When the Phone Rings” Age Rating: 13+
The South Korean TV series When the Phone Rings has been rated 13+, indicating that it is suitable for teenagers and older viewers. The age rating reflects the show’s themes, content, and intensity, which may not be appropriate for younger audiences.
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Reasons for the Age Rating:
- Mature Themes: When the Phone Rings explores complex themes such as strained marital relationships, political intrigue, and psychological trauma. The portrayal of a marriage of convenience and emotional disconnect between the main characters requires a level of maturity to understand and process.
- Kidnapping and Suspens: A significant plot element is the kidnapping of Hong Hee-Joo, which adds a layer of tension and mystery to the story. Scenes depicting the abduction, investigation, and aftermath may contain mild violence or emotional distress, making them unsuitable for younger children.
- Emotional and Psychological Depth: The characters’ backstories, including Hong Hee-Joo’s mutism due to childhood trauma, delve into psychological struggles. Such emotional depth requires a mature perspective to fully grasp the implications and nuances of the characters’ experiences.
- Romantic and Interpersonal Dynamics: The show features romantic and interpersonal conflicts, including the complexities of a loveless marriage. While there is no explicit content, the depiction of these relationships is more appropriate for teenage viewers who can relate to or comprehend such dynamics.
- Thriller Elements: As a drama-thriller, When the Phone Rings includes suspenseful moments that might be intense for younger viewers. While it avoids graphic violence or horror, the tension and darker tones align better with a teenage and adult audience.
Details:
| Title | When the Phone Rings (Ji-geum Geo-sin Jeon-hwa-neun) |
|---|---|
| Release Date | November 22, 2024 |
| Country of Origin | South Korea |
| Language | Korean |
| Genres | Drama, Mystery, Romance, Thriller |
| Director | Park Sang-Woo |
| Writers | Geoneomulnyeo (based on a web novel), Kim Ji-Woon |
| Production Company | Munhwa Broadcasting Company (MBC) |
| Also Known As | The Number You Have Dialed |
| Network | Netflix |
| Runtime | 1 hour per episode |
| Age Rating | 13+ |
Cast:
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Yoo Yeon-Seok | Baek Sa-Eon |
| Chae Soo-Bin | Hong Hee-Joo |
| Heo Nam-Jun | Ji Jung-U |
| Jang Gyu-Ri | Na Yu-Ri |
| Jung Dong-Hwan | Baek Jang-Ho |
| Yang Jo-Ah | Han-Jin |
| Choi Woo-Jin | Park Do-Jae |
| Im Chul-Soo | Kang Young-U |
| Jin Kyung | Yoo Seong-Ju |
| Yoo Seong-Ju | Baek Eui-Yong |
| Oh Hyun-Kyung | Kim Yeon-Hui |
| Choi Kwang-Il | Hong Il-Kyung |
| Han Jae-Yi | Hong In-A |
| Choo Sang-Mi | Sim Gyu-Jin |
Storyline:
Baek Sa-Eon, portrayed by Yoo Yeon-Seok, comes from a prominent political family and has achieved great success at a young age. Serving as the youngest presidential spokesman in Korea, his illustrious career also includes roles as a war correspondent, hostage negotiator, and main TV anchorman. Despite his professional achievements, his personal life tells a different story.
Sa-Eon is married to Hong Hee-Joo, played by Chae Soo-Bin. She is the daughter of a powerful newspaper proprietor and works as a sign language interpreter in courts and on television. Due to an accident in her childhood, Hee-Joo suffers from mutism, which makes her unable to speak. Their marriage, more of a strategic alliance than a love match, has been devoid of communication or connection for the past three years. They put on a façade of being the perfect couple, while their reality is anything but harmonious.
Their stagnant relationship takes a dramatic turn when Hee-Joo is suddenly kidnapped by an unknown person. This shocking event becomes a catalyst that forces Sa-Eon to confront their relationship and the truths they have been avoiding. As the mystery unravels, viewers are drawn into a gripping tale of love, loss, and redemption.