Is “When The Phone Rings” Based On A Webtoon?

Okay, K-drama besties, grab your popcorn. We need to settle this debate once and for all. When The Phone Rings is one of those dramas that make you think, “Wait, was this a webtoon first?”—because, let’s be honest, it has big webtoon energy.

Here’s the juicy scoop, straight from the drama gods: it’s actually based on a web novel, not a pre-existing webtoon. However, a webtoon adaptation was developed alongside the drama, fueling the misunderstanding.

Webtoon Or Drama First? The Truth About When The Phone Rings

Yes, When The Phone Rings has a webtoon. But plot twist—it wasn’t the original source. The story first came to life as a web novel on Kakao Page, and once the drama hit our screens, both the novel and webtoon skyrocketed in popularity.

So, if your plan was to binge-read the source material while pretending to be productive—good news!

You absolutely can, and trust me, you’ll want to.

Who’s Who: Meet The Power Players

Now, let’s talk about the fascinating cast. They’re the reason this drama is a wild ride.

• Baek Sa-eon (played by Yoo Yeon-seok) – The youngest presidential spokesman in Korea, born into a prestigious political family. Oh, and he’s got a history as a war correspondent, hostage negotiator, and lead anchorman. Basically, the dude thrives under pressure—until his life turns into a full-blown thriller.
• Hong Hee-joo (played by Chae Soo-bin) – Sa-eon’s wife, a sign language interpreter with a heartbreaking past. Thanks to a childhood accident, she has selective mutism and has barely spoken to her husband in three years. But when things go south, Hee-joo finds a new way to make her voice heard—and it’s chef’s kiss thrilling.
• Ji Sang-woo (played by Heo Nam-jun) – A psychiatrist-slash-YouTuber who’s got a thing for unsolved cases. Mysterious, insightful, and always one step ahead. You know he’s got some juicy secrets.
• Na Yu-ri (played by Jang Gyu-ri) – A bright and bubbly broadcasting station announcer who brings much-needed warmth into the intensity of this drama. The kind of friend who can lighten up even the darkest situations.

A Plot So Twisty, You’ll Need A Neck Brace

What makes When The Phone Rings uniquely Korean? Arranged marriages, political hierarchy, and the cultural weight of honor and duty.

In Korea, high-profile political families are often expected to maintain an impeccable public image, which adds another layer of tension to Sa-eon and Hee-joo’s already strained relationship.

Their marriage isn’t just about love—it’s about legacy, responsibility, and maintaining face in an environment where personal lives are scrutinized by the media and the public.

On top of that, mutism, which Hee-joo suffers from, is a condition that’s not often portrayed in mainstream dramas. In Korea, where communication and social harmony are highly valued, her struggle to express herself—especially in a political marriage—hits even harder.

Baek Sa-eon and Hong Hee-joo’s marriage? Frozen solid. Three years together, barely any communication. Then, out of nowhere, she gets kidnapped and Sa-eon gets a ransom call.

Baek Sa-eon and Hong Hee-joo’s marriage? Frozen solid. Three years together, barely any communication. Then, out of nowhere, she gets kidnapped and Sa-eon gets a ransom call.

His response? “Call me when there’s a corpse.”

Excuse me?! Sir, did you skip the memo on how to be a decent husband? Or, you know, a decent human being?!

But hold onto your snacks, because Hee-joo isn’t about to be a damsel in distress. She pulls off an escape by crashing the car, knocking out the kidnapper, and that’s when the surprising major twist happens.

No major spoilers, but trust me—this drama is an emotional rollercoaster. The final episodes bring political chaos, gut-wrenching revelations, and an ending that had fans screaming in the group chats.

This drama is like that one friend who always has one more thing to tell you before you can leave.

Wait, Isn’t This A Webtoon? The Confusion Explained

Because everything about this drama screams webtoon adaptation. The high-stakes tension, the slow-burn romance, the plot twists that make you audibly gasp—it has all the trademarks of a classic webtoon-turned-drama. Not to mention, the fact that a webtoon does exist adds to the confusion.

But let’s set the record straight: The webtoon was part of the overall media strategy, not the original story.

But let’s set the record straight: The webtoon was part of the overall media strategy, not the original story.

The drama and web novel came first, and the webtoon followed to keep the hype going.

Final Thoughts: Did This Drama Nail The Webtoon Vibes?

If you were hoping for a webtoon adaptation, good news—it exists! But if you’re asking whether When The Phone Rings was originally based on a webtoon, the answer is a hard no. It started as a web novel before the drama even happened.

But let’s be honest. This drama unfolds like the kind of webtoon you’d stay up binge-reading until 4 AM.

So, what do you think? Would you have preferred a webtoon-first adaptation, or did the drama do it justice? Let’s chat in the comments—and don’t forget to silence your phone before bed, just in case.