“When the Phone Rings” Web Novel Author Commends Yoo Yeon-seok and Chae Soo-bin for Perfect 200% Character Synchronization

Author Praises Adaptation of “When the Phone Rings”

The author of the hit web novel, which inspired the recent drama “When the Phone Rings,”has expressed immense satisfaction with how the series has captured the essence of its original characters. “Yoo Yeon-seok and Chae Soo-bin’s synchronization with the characters is at 200%,”the author noted, adding, “When I read the original now, I can hear Yoo Yeon-seok’s voice, and the portrayal of ‘Baek Sa-eon’ on screen feels even more sophisticated and alluring than the book.”

Drama’s Phenomenal Success

Since debuting in November, “When the Phone Rings”has dominated television and OTT drama buzz, consistently ranking among Netflix’s Top 10 in 78 countries worldwide. Notably, it secured the second spot globally on the platform. Despite a brief hiatus last week, the series has maintained its impressive trajectory, holding second place in Netflix’s global Top 10 for non-English TV shows and remaining within the Top 10 list across 48 countries as of December 11.

Surge in Popularity for Original Content

The original web novel has experienced a remarkable surge in popularity, paralleling the success of its adaptation. Viewership of the novel skyrocketed fivefold compared to its pre-drama airing figures, while revenue skyrocketed by an impressive 14.6 times. It also claimed the top spot on Kakao Page’s daily web novel rankings. The webtoon, launched just prior to the drama’s release, has similarly reported increases, with viewership and revenue up by 3.6 and 6.9 times, respectively, placing it second in Kakao Page’s weekly romance webtoon rankings.

Character Portrayals that Resonate

The author, Geon Eomul Nyeo, commended the performances of Yoo Yeon-seok and Chae Soo-bin, highlighting their ability to embody the complexity of their characters. Of Yoo Yeon-seok, who plays the youngest presidential spokesperson Baek Sa-eon, the author remarked, “He appears cold and composed as if concealing his affections for his wife; his deep gaze and rich voice truly encapsulate the essence of Baek Sa-eon.”Meanwhile, Chae Soo-bin is praised for her portrayal of Hong Hee-joo, a sign language interpreter and the wife of Baek Sa-eon. “Her innocent demeanor, fear-stricken expressions, and clumsy attempts to be assertive are exactly how I envisioned Hong Hee-joo. She brings the character to life,”the author adds.

Intriguing New Characters and Plot Dynamics

The author expressed enthusiasm for new characters introduced in the series, such as Ji Sang-woo (Heo Nam-jun), a psychiatrist and Hong Hee-joo’s senior from college, and Na Yu-ri (Jang Gyu-ri), a prominent announcer and admirer of Baek Sa-eon. These fresh additions, absent from the novel, enrich the narrative revolving around “communication.”The author is eager to see how these new elements will influence the dynamics between Baek Sa-eon and Hong Hee-joo. Furthermore, character nuances, like Hong Hee-joo’s childhood ambitions of being an announcer, add depth and empathy, while subtle gestures—such as Baek Sa-eon’s commitment symbolized by keeping his wedding ring on, despite their conflicts—highlight their profound chemistry.

Core Themes and Future Episodes

Reflecting on the overarching narrative, the author shared insights into their original vision, stating, “I aimed to illustrate a couple in a contract marriage navigating their unspoken emotions, gradually uncovering their love for each other amidst challenging situations. The drama depicts this with such authenticity that I, too, find myself captivated and unable to miss an episode.”

Viewers can look forward to Episodes 5 and 6 of “When the Phone Rings,”which are set to air on December 13 at 9:40 PM and December 14 at 9:50 PM, respectively.

Source: Daum

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