When the Phone Rings Episode 4 Review: Sa-eon Learns Hee-joo’s Dirty Secret

In the previous episode, a bomb explodes at Baek Sa-eon’s office shortly after he cuts off a call from the “kidnapper,” though no one is seriously hurt. Sa-eon, suspecting Hee-joo’s involvement, tries to confront her at home, but she reacts defensively. Meanwhile, Hee-joo panics over how the explosion occurred and resolves to end her prank calls. Sa-eon becomes increasingly suspicious after discovering Hee-joo’s connection with Sang-woo, leading to a tense lunch meeting where unresolved tensions surface.

Hee-joo recalls her traumatic past, manipulated by her mother to fake muteness for personal gain, while a new threat emerges as the kidnapper kidnaps her father and demands she continue the calls. As Hee-joo unravels under the pressure of her deteriorating life, Sa-eon unexpectedly shows up to protect her, addressing her as his wife for the first time, leaving her conflicted about his true feelings.

– Contains Spoilers –

When the Phone Rings Episode 4 Recap

In When The Phone Rings episode 4, Hee-Joo finds herself overwhelmed by her emotions. Sitting in the car with Sa-Eon, she can’t stop crying—a silent outpouring of all the pain she’s endured. Though everyone, including Sa-Eon, believes she’s mute, her tears speak volumes. Meanwhile, Yu-Ri and Sang-Woo cross paths and end up sharing a casual dinner at a local restaurant. Their conversation turns personal as Yu-Ri observes that it’s obvious Hee-Joo was Sang-Woo’s first love.

The conversation shifts to Sa-Eon, and Yu-Ri recounts how he was a strict senior at work but later became her mentor, guiding her to become an accomplished reporter. However, his sudden departure for a job at the presidential office, followed by his marriage, created distance between them.

Back with Sa-Eon and Hee-Joo, they’re supposed to meet his parents for dinner. Noticing Hee-Joo’s swollen, tear-streaked face, Sa-Eon tells her to come later if she needs time to compose herself. At the dinner, the atmosphere is tense. Sa-Eon’s father is distant and dismissive, throwing cruel jabs at Hee-Joo for being a “substitute” daughter-in-law. When a photographer, hired to document Sa-Eon’s potential political rise, begins taking pictures, the dinner turns even more uncomfortable.

Unable to tolerate his father’s insults toward Hee-Joo, Sa-Eon finally defends her, leading to their abrupt dismissal from the meal. Later, alone with Hee-Joo, Sa-Eon angrily asks why she always endures everything without standing up for herself. But, as expected, she doesn’t—or can’t—answer him.

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That night, Hee-Joo decides she wants to throw away the mysterious phone, as it has brought her nothing but trouble. However, Sa-Eon catches her as she’s about to toss it in the trash. Shortly after, she receives an encouraging call from her colleagues wishing her luck on her upcoming interview for the interpreter position for the president’s spokesperson. Meanwhile, Sa-Eon’s curiosity about Sang-Woo deepens. He learns Sang-Woo runs an online channel dedicated to solving cold cases, further sparking his interest.

During the interpreter interview, Sa-Eon monitors the process through his computer. Watching Hee-Joo’s performance, he is surprised by how sharp and precise she is, often finishing his sentences faster than he could himself. Intrigued, he decides to test her directly. Hee-Joo explains that she’s practiced with his videos, becoming adept at reading his lips and predicting his speech patterns. Sa-Eon challenges her to interpret him in real time as he reads a passage aloud.

Coincidentally, the topic is “couple’s day,” and his words feel uncomfortably personal. Her flawless interpretation impresses everyone, and his colleagues even place bets on whether Sa-Eon has feelings for her. In a rare moment of honesty, Sa-Eon later admits to his assistant that he does.

The episode takes a poignant turn with a flashback to Sa-Eon’s childhood, showing his strained relationship with his father and the neglect he faced. In one touching memory, he secretly helps Hee-Joo when she’s similarly mistreated by her family during a visit. Noticing her hunger, he sneaks her food, solidifying his desire to protect her. Back in the present, Hee-Joo comes across an Instagram post from her sister, In-A, revealing she’s back in Seoul. As Hee-Joo awaits another call from the “kidnapper,” Sa-Eon speaks with Yu-Ri about Sang-Woo. He learns that Sang-Woo grew up in the same orphanage linked to a mysterious photo, though their conversation is cut short when Sa-Eon abruptly ends the call.

In another tense phone call, Hee-Joo tells the “kidnapper” (unbeknownst to her, Sa-Eon himself) that she wants a divorce because In-A is returning. Sa-Eon counters by revealing that he and In-A made a pact long ago to never marry, rendering the blackmail pointless. Shocked, Hee-Joo ends the call just as Sa-Eon arrives home. Surprisingly, he apologizes to her for underestimating her capabilities during the interview and praises her skills.

The next day, Sa-Eon and Hee-Joo are expected to attend the anniversary celebration of Chungwoon Daily News, hosted by her stepfather. At the event, tensions flare when Hee-Joo’s mother scolds her for moving her biological father to a different nursing home, fearing the chairman’s wrath. Amid this family drama, Hee-Joo sneaks away to the roof of the building, feeling overwhelmed. After a few drinks, she calls Sa-Eon and confronts him about how he felt on their wedding day, knowing his bride had been swapped. Her self-deprecating rant catches him off guard, though he counters every claim with sharp retorts.

As their conversation unfolds, Sa-Eon realizes she’s on the roof and rushes to find her. There, he sees her precariously standing on a bench near the edge, phone in hand. In the episode’s epilogue, Sa-Eon comes across dashcam footage from a police car showing Hee-Joo screaming during an earlier car ride. Realizing she’s been lying about being mute, his frustration grows. It becomes evident that he suspected her secret even before the interview, which explains why he subtly tested her ability to speak.

When the Phone Rings Episode 4 Review

Episode 4 of When The Phone Rings offers an emotional rollercoaster as Hee-Joo and Sa-Eon’s complex relationship continues to evolve. Hee-Joo’s vulnerability is at the forefront, as her silent tears speak louder than words while navigating the pressures of her life. Sa-Eon’s growing concern for her becomes evident, especially when he defends her against his father’s cruel remarks during an awkward family dinner.

The episode skillfully balances the tension between them, from Sa-Eon’s frustration over Hee-Joo’s submissiveness to his quiet admiration for her during the interpreter interview. The flashbacks to Sa-Eon’s childhood add depth, showing how his protective instincts toward Hee-Joo were shaped by shared experiences of neglect.

The episode also raises the stakes with more intrigue. Sa-Eon’s investigation into Sang-Woo hints at deeper connections yet to be revealed, while Hee-Joo’s emotional phone calls and her growing guilt about hiding her ability to speak add to the suspense. The rooftop scene, where Sa-Eon finds Hee-Joo dangerously close to the edge, is particularly gripping, symbolizing her inner turmoil.

The epilogue, revealing that Sa-Eon has uncovered her secret, sets up even more drama for the next episode. With secrets unraveling and past relationships complicating the present, this episode masterfully blends emotional intensity with suspense, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating what’s next.

When the Phone Rings is streaming on Netflix.

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