Chae Soo Bin To Tackle Challenging Role In “When The Phone Rings

When The Phone Rings is a secret romance thriller that explores the intriguing story of a show-window couple in their third year of an arranged marriage, whose life takes a dark turn following a threatening phone call.

Based on a popular web novel from Kakao Page, the drama is already generating buzz due to its stellar creative team and cast. It combines the writing talents of Kim Ji-woon, known for his nuanced and compelling stories in Melancholia and Doctor John, and the directorial expertise of Park Sang-woo, who brought visual brilliance to Forbidden Marriage. The production also features renowned actors like Yoo Yeon Seok, Heo Nam Joon, and Jang Gyu Ri, making it one of MBC’s most anticipated releases of 2024.

Chae Soo Bin portrays the character of Hong Hee-joo, a woman left mute after a traumatic accident during her youth. Hee-joo is married to Baek Sa-eon (played by Yoo Yeon Seok), a man she wed through a political marriage, and they maintain a superficial life as a show-window couple for the public.

Hee-joo, emotionally detached and resigned to a passionless life, performs the minimum societal duties expected of her as the wife of a presidential spokesperson. She has no real connection to her husband or any true expectations of happiness in her marriage. However, her life takes a dramatic and perilous turn when she is kidnapped by a mysterious person. Ironically, this traumatic event catalyzes Hee-joo to break free from her stagnant existence, sparking her determination to change the course of her life.

The first stills released today have garnered attention, offering a glimpse into Chae Soo Bin’s portrayal of Hong Hee-joo in her multifaceted roles. One image shows Hee-joo in a broadcasting station, dressed in professional attire as a skilled sign language interpreter, demonstrating her focus and calm demeanor while working. This scene highlights Hee-joo’s resilience and competence, despite the obstacles she has faced due to her mutism.

In a contrasting still, Chae Soo-bin’s character appears in a more vulnerable light, wearing an elegant black dress and a luxurious tweed jacket, but her expression is filled with unease and worry. Her face, deeply contemplative and at times slightly frowning, reveals a woman who is silently struggling with her thoughts and emotions. This duality in her character—the poised interpreter and the troubled wife—raises curiosity about the hidden layers of Hee-joo’s inner world.

The role of Hong Hee-joo is a complex one, requiring Chae Soo-bin to convey deep emotional turmoil without words, relying heavily on her facial expressions, body language, and subtle actions to communicate her character’s struggles. Her performance as a mute woman who works as a sign language interpreter adds a layer of irony to the role, as Hee-joo is someone who helps others communicate despite being unable to speak herself. The drama’s narrative hints at Hee-joo’s transformation from a passive participant in her own life to someone actively taking control of her destiny, and Chae Soo Bin is expected to bring an impressive emotional depth to this journey.

Chae Soo Bin breathes life into Hong Hee-joo’s character, blending vulnerability with strength, and how her portrayal will evoke empathy and intrigue. When The Phone Rings premieres in the second half of 2024 on MBC.