When the Phone Rings finale faces boycott calls for controversial 'war-torn' country portrayal

When The Phone Rings, the popular K-drama starring Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae So Bin, has faced criticism from some viewers regarding the portrayal of a fictional war-torn country in its finale. When the Phone Rings sparks controversy In the finale, we see the kidnapper whisper something to Sa Eon, after which he looks at Hong Hee Joo and disappears from her life. One particular scene has drawn attention: Hong Hee Joo acts as a sign language interpreter during a broadcast where Na Yu Ri reports on a situation in which the fictional country of “Paltima” is accused of airstrikes against another fictional country, “Izmael,” while taking Korean nationals hostage. According to Nielsen Korea, the series finale of When the Phone Rings achieved an average nationwide rating of 8.6 percent, setting a new all-time high for the drama.