Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae Soo Bin are taking the world by storm with their latest drama "When the Phone Rings", which is quickly becoming a global hit.

According to FlixPatrol, which tracks Netflix rankings, "When the Phone Rings" soared to 4th place worldwide in the TV Shows category right after new episodes were released.

The show isn’t just making waves globally – it hit #1 in 12 countries, including South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia, proving just how popular it is across Asia and beyond.

The success doesn’t stop there. FUNdex, the official platform of Good Data Corporation, revealed that the drama ranked 3rd in Drama Popularity for the second week of December.

In the Cast Popularity section, Yoo Yeon Seok claimed 2nd place, while Chae Soo Bin took 4th, showing their undeniable star power. The show also topped the Voice of Netizens (VON) rankings, clinching 1st place, with strong numbers across all categories.

In terms of viewership, "When the Phone Rings" is doing exceptionally well. Episodes 5 and 6, which aired on December 13 and 14, saw significant ratings. The 6th episode recorded a 6.9% nationwide rating, with 6.4% in the Seoul metropolitan area.

The peak rating even shot up to 9.2%. The coveted 2049 viewership rating, which tracks the younger demographic, reached an impressive 2.4%, setting a new record for the show.

The drama’s gripping story and emotional performances have made it a must-watch. Episode 6, in particular, had fans on the edge of their seats when Sa Eon (played by Yoo Yeon Seok) discovers his wife Hee Joo (played by Chae Soo Bin) is in danger.

The intense and emotional rescue scene, where Sa Eon rushes to save her after she falls off a cliff, left viewers in tears. The connection between the two characters, paired with their outstanding performances, has earned them widespread praise, with fans commenting, "Chae Soo Bin’s acting is at its best," and "Yoo Yeon Seok’s acting is legendary."

The meticulous direction has also been a highlight of the drama. The constant use of Sa Eon’s messenger app and Hee Joo’s profile picture “Sunset” ties everything together, making the viewers feel even more connected to the characters’ emotions and intensifying their immersion in the story.

As "When the Phone Rings" continues to dominate the charts and gain praise for its powerful narrative and performances, Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae Soo Bin’s international success is undeniable. Fans worldwide are hooked, and it’s clear that this drama is set to keep climbing the ranks in the coming weeks.

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NewJeans has made waves after announcing their decision to terminate their exclusive contract with their agency, ADOR.

Now, the group is taking matters into their own hands by directly reaching out to global luxury brands to negotiate ambassador contracts. However, this bold move is raising concerns and sparking controversy in the entertainment industry.

According to sources on December 18th, NewJeans recently attempted to contact luxury watch brand O, negotiating a two-party contract through their manager A, who is still affiliated with ADOR.

This move came after NewJeans declared the end of their contract with ADOR on November 29th. Insiders claim that NewJeans began bypassing their agency, reaching out to advertisers on their own with the help of ADOR staff.

In an interview, Manager A revealed, "I conveyed NewJeans' intention to continue fulfilling their advertising contracts as planned, even after the contract termination." This admission sparked controversy, as it implied that NewJeans was trying to negotiate directly with advertisers, which may violate the terms of their previous agreement with ADOR.

During their press conference announcing the termination of their contract, NewJeans assured the public that they would continue with their scheduled events and advertisements, with the full support of ADOR.

However, it seems that the group may have gone behind ADOR’s back to pursue a deal with brand O, which could result in legal issues.

Legal experts have pointed out that these actions could potentially be seen as a breach of the exclusive contract, warning that it may lead to serious consequences for NewJeans in any future legal disputes. In addition to brand O, it was reported that NewJeans also attempted to directly approach another luxury brand through a different manager, B, who left ADOR.

As the situation continues to unfold, ADOR has taken action. Manager A has been placed on standby, and ADOR has informed brand O that any direct contract with NewJeans could be seen as a violation of their agreement. The agency has also told other potential advertisers that all deals involving NewJeans should be coordinated through ADOR.

The ongoing drama has left many fashion brands cautious about working with NewJeans. Sources say that brands, once eager to sign the group for major ambassador deals, are now reconsidering their options.

One industry insider commented, "NewJeans was a group that had a lot of potential, but with this situation, it’s hard to say if brands will take the risk. It’s a shame because they were on track to be as big as BLACKPINK."

As confusion continues to grow, many are questioning if NewJeans’ "self-independent" move will hurt their reputation in the fashion world. The group's popularity is undeniable, but the risks associated with bypassing their agency might cause some brands to think twice.

Source: [1]