Ahead of the broadcast of episode 5, When the Phone Rings surprised fans with an announcement of a two-episode delay this week, leaving viewers disappointed. Enthralled by the chemistry between Hong Hee Joo (played by Chae Soo Bin) and Baek Sa Eon (played by Yoo Yeon Seok), fans have been revisiting 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 into the final cut.
In episode 3, during a “bed scene,” Hong Hee Joo, annoyed by her cohabitation with her “troublesome” contract husband Baek Sa Eon, snatched away the pillow he was using. Sa Eon, unfazed by her childish antics, gently advised her to forget the kidnapping incident from the day before. The two eventually lay facing each other and drifted off to sleep. Once Hee Joo was sound asleep, Sa Eon quietly left the room.
Behind the scenes, Yoo Yeon Seok improvised a tender addition to the scene: before leaving, he softly covered Hee Joo with a blanket. Unfortunately, this moment didn’t make it into the aired version. The reason behind this cut remains unclear, but the director’s decision did not disrupt the narrative flow or character development.
The omission of this tender gesture sparked mixed reactions among netizens:
- “Such a shame! Baek Sa Eon’s quiet show of affection was cut again!”
- “Whether the scene is included or not doesn’t impact the storyline. The male lead’s feelings are already abundantly clear.”
- “Thankfully, it’s just a blanket scene. If it were a kiss scene, the director would have faced an uproar!”
- “The cut probably helped the transition to the female lead’s flashback flow more smoothly.”
- “Everything about 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, a moment where Sa Eon enjoyed a meal prepared by Hee Joo was also cut, much to fans’ dismay. However, the show continues to captivate audiences with its engaging plot and the explosive chemistry between the leads.
Despite the delay, When the Phone Rings remains a fan favorite, further solidifying its place as a standout drama of the season.
