Chae Soo-bin threw her whole body into protecting Yoo Yeon-seok.

In episode 10 of MBC‘s Friday-Saturday drama ‘The Phone Call You’re Dialing Now’ (planned by Kwon Sung-chang/ directed by Park Sang-woo, Wi Deuk-gyu/ written by Kim Ji-woon) aired on the 28th, Hong Hee-joo (played by Chae Soo-bin) chose to blow herself up along with the kidnapper (played by Park Jae-yoon) who was trying to ruin Baek Sa-eon (played by Yoo Yeon-seok).

The viewership ratings for episode 10 rose to 7.5% nationwide and 7.4% in the metropolitan area (provided by Nielsen Korea, based on households), breaking its own record again. The 2049 viewership rating, a key indicator of content competitiveness, recorded 2.0%, ranking first in the same time slot. In particular, the scene where Sa-eon and Hee-joo propose to each other and share a passionate kiss sent viewers‘ hearts racing to the peak with a viewer rating of 9.1%.

In the episode that day, Park Do-jae (played by Choi Woo-jin) took Hee-joo hostage and called Sa-eon and the kidnapper to a fishing spot. Do-jae then met the kidnapper, with whom he had been secretly communicating as a ‘teacher’, and counterattacked, enraged at the kidnapper for killing his own brother. However, the kidnapper indiscriminately attacked Do-jae.

When Sa-eon arrived at the fishing spot, he was shocked to see Do-jae covered in wounds, but then he found Hee-joo who had been kidnapped. Sa-eon, who finally encountered the kidnapper he had been looking for, exploded in anger, saying, “What do you want? Your name? Your seat? Take it all,” and screamed. Sa-eon engaged in a fierce physical fight with the kidnapper who threatened her with a weapon, making viewers’ hearts race.

At the moment when the tense situation reached its peak, Do-jae pushed the kidnapper away and saved Sa-eon. While Do-jae was losing consciousness, he shocked everyone by revealing that he was the one who threw Hee-joo off the cliff. Sa-eon blamed himself, saying, “I left everything to (Do-jae)”, but Hee-joo comforted Sa-eon and stayed by his side.

Hee-joo confessed to Hong In-ah (played by Han Jae-yi) that the kidnapper was the real Baek Sa-eon. As the secret surrounding the Baek family gradually came to light, Hee-joo realized through the DNA test report that Sa-eon sent to In-ah that she was not a substitute bride. Hee-joo then gave Sa-eon a new marriage vow, and Sa-eon confessed, “After everything is over, I will propose. I love you” and kissed her. The kiss between the two, which became more intense, moved the hearts of viewers.

Meanwhile, Do-jae, who was tracking the kidnapper‘s location, accepted Sa-eon’s offer of cooperation to catch the real culprit. As the police were locating the kidnapper, Baek Jang-ho‘s (Jung Dong-hwan) anniversary approached. Hong Il-kyung (Choi Kwang-il), Hee-joo, and In-ah, who had discovered the Baek family’s secret, headed to the memorial hall, and Il-kyung came into conflict with Baek Ui-yong (Yoo Seong-joo), who was hiding the real Baek Sa-eon behind him, heightening the tension.

At that moment, an explosion occurred at the memorial hall, and Sa-eon began to search for Hee-joo, who had disappeared from the chaotic scene. The kidnapper called Sa-eon and threatened to kill Hee-joo, who had kidnapped her again. Hee-joo, who was driving while the kidnapper was driving, said, “Don‘t come. I told you, I want to protect you once too. He made an extreme choice to intentionally cause an accident, saying, ”I love you so much,“ confusing everyone.

At the end of the broadcast, Sa-eon held a press conference to find Hee-joo, who went missing after the accident. Sa-eon revealed that he was not Ui-yong’s biological son and revealed Hee-joo‘s personal information to the public. Sa-eon’s tears, filled with sorrow over losing Hee-joo, moved everyone, focusing attention on the unpredictable next story of how the fates of the two heartbreaking people will unfold.

Episode 11 of MBC‘s Friday-Saturday drama ‘The Phone Call You Just Dialed’ will air on Friday, January 3rd at 9:50 PM.

Jeon Hyo-jin, Donga.com reporter jhj@donga.com