Before episode 5 airs, When the phone rings surprised fans with the announcement of a two-episode delay this week, leaving viewers disappointed. Fascinated by the chemistry between Hong Hee Joo (played by Chae Soo Bin) and Baek Sa Eon (played by Yoo Yeon Seok), fans revisited past episodes and behind-the-scenes clips to fill the void. This led to the discovery of an intriguing unscripted moment that never made it to the final cut.
In episode 3, during a “bed scene”, Hong Hee Joo, annoyed by her cohabitation with her “problematic” contract husband Baek Sa Eon, tore away the pillow she was using. Sa Eon, unfazed by her childish antics, gently advised her to forget about the kidnapping incident the day before. Eventually the two lay down facing each other and fell asleep. Once Hee Joo was fast asleep, Sa Eon silently left the room.
Behind the scenes, Yoo Yeon Seok improvised a tender addition to the scene: Before leaving, he gently covered Hee Joo with a blanket. Unfortunately, this moment did not appear in the broadcast version. The reason for this cut is unclear, but the director’s decision did not interrupt the narrative flow or character development.
The omission of this tender gesture sparked mixed reactions among netizens:
- “What a pity! Baek Sa Eon’s silent display of affection has been interrupted again!”
- “Whether the scene is included or not has no impact on the plot. The feelings of the male protagonist are already abundantly clear.”
- “Luckily, it’s just a general scene. If it had been a kissing scene, the director would have faced an uproar!”
- “The cut probably helped the transition to the female protagonist’s flashback flow more smoothly.”
- “Everything in this drama is already perfect. A few seconds less won’t ruin it.”
This isn’t the first time When the phone rings has featured deleted scenes in its BTS clips. In episode 2, the moment where Sa Eon enjoyed a meal prepared by Hee Joo was also cut, much to fans’ dismay. However, the show continues to enthrall audiences with its gripping plot and explosive chemistry between the leads.
Despite the delay, When the phone rings remains a fan favorite, further cementing its place as the season’s standout drama.
