As When the Phone Rings episodes 5 & 6 get delayed, this big 'mistake' from MBC, Netflix enrages K-drama fans
The last-minute cancellation of When the Phone Rings episodes 5 and 6 release left K-drama fans in the lurch. However, this one big mistake from MBC Network and Netflix has now left netizens, who were waiting for the fresh episodes of the Yoon Yeo Seok and Chae Soo Bin starrer with bated breath, enraged.
K-drama fans were in for a heartbreak this week as the MBC network cancelled When the Phone Rings episodes 5 and 6, originally slated to air on Friday (December 6) and Saturday (December 7). The move sparked outrage among fans, who took to X to express their frustration and disappointment at the network's decision. Amid the ongoing backlash, a new 'mistake' from the makers of Yoon Yeo Seok and Chae Soo Bin starrer has further left fans fuming.
Why were When the Phone Rings episodes 5 and 6 were cancelled?
Local media has cited South Korea's ongoing political turmoil, which erupted after President Yoon Suk Seol declared emergency martial law, as the reason behind the move. While martial law was lifted within hours, the Opposition has now taken it to the streets to demand the impeachment of President Yoon.
The impeachment vote slated for Saturday led to a broadcast schedule shake-up, resulting in many channels deferring their schedule. As a result, When the Phone Rings episodes 5 and 6 were cancelled by MBC last minute.
When will When the Phone Rings episodes 5 and 6 be released?
The highly-anticipated episodes 5 and 6 of Park Sang Woo-directed show are now set to air next week. Following the delay, the mystery thriller that runs through January will continue its regular schedule, with new episodes released every Friday and Saturday.
When the Phone Rings episodes 5 and 6 are tentatively rescheduled for December 13 and 14, but MBC may adjust the airing dates again due to its upcoming year-end special programming.
Why are fans fuming?
Before the heartbreaking cancellation, MBC teased a BTS clip and preview for When the Phone Rings episode 5, sparking widespread curiosity among fans of the K-drama.
Now, those who have been watching K-dramas would know broadcasters usually drop BTS releases after the telecast of the episode and preview a day before the episode's release. MBC followed the classic playbook, dropping a tantalizing BTS clip and gripping preview, further teasing fans. Not only MBC, Netflix, the international distributor of the drama, also dropped a preview teaser for episode 5. The move has now invited a backlash.
Although the BTS clip vanished after the fresh episodes were cancelled, the teaser remains, leaving us with more questions than answers!
Following the upheaval, netizens on X had a field day! After MBC's last-minute decision to delay episodes 5 and 6, users couldn't help but poke fun at the network's misstep.
As episode 4 ended on a major cliffhanger, eager fans also jumped into theory mode, speculating about the plot's next big reveal - will Baek Sa-Eon (Yoo Yeon Seok) finally uncover the truth about his 'mute' wife Hong-Hee Joo (Soo-Bin)?
Is it deliberate mistake of channel to release bts of #WhenThePhoneRingsEp5 to tease fans even if it's not even telecasted yet or they genuinely released as per schedule ?#WhenThePhoneRings#ChaeSooBin#YooYoonSeok pic.twitter.com/jcV2T2uZJy
¡ª Aashi???? (@AashiZin) December 6, 2024
About When the Phone Rings
The gripping thriller delves into the complex and troubled marriage of a rising politician, Baek Sae On and his mute wife Hong Hui Ju. Their seemingly perfect life is shattered when a mysterious kidnapper makes a chilling call, setting off a chain of events that exposes the dark secrets and lies beneath their facade.
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