“When The Phone Rings” Faces Scathing Condemnation For Skewed Representation Of Israel-Palestine

MBC‘s popular K-Drama When The Phone Rings aired its final episode on January 4, KST. While the conclusion was highly anticipated by fans worldwide, a particular scene from the last episode has ignited scathing criticism.

The particular scene in question showed the character Na Yu Ri (played by Jang Gyu Ri) reporting on an incident where the supposedly fictional country of “Paltima” had been air-striking the fictional country of “Izmael” and had taken Korean nationals hostage.

this is the scene op is referring to btw for added context 🥴 they added this scene near the very end of the last ep with these slightly changed names https://t.co/eBNNfMh8SW pic.twitter.com/EAeBTWTYOi

— ⋆ (@selsmarss) January 4, 2025

Despite the names being apparently fictional, netizens quickly decoded that they were allusions to Palestine and Israel, respectively. More and more viewers started posting about the clip, calling out the creators and the network for airing such a problematic representation of the ongoing suffering in Palestine at the hands of Israel.

For more than a year, the Gaza Strip of Palestine has been ruthlessly bombed by Israel, along with other documented crimes against humanity, including inducement of unliavable conditions by deliberate restriction of aid. International medical workers in Gaza have been sounding the alarm about violations of international humanitarian law by the Israeli army in Gaza.

Across northern #Gaza, there is no way of telling where the destruction starts or ends.

No matter from what direction you enter #Gaza City, homes, hospitals, schools, health clinics, mosques, apartments, restaurants – all completely flattened.

An entire society now a graveyard. pic.twitter.com/gnZk0URyQX

— Louise Wateridge (@UNWateridge) November 6, 2024

"Israeli" soldiers set fire to Mahdia Al-Shawa School in Beit Hanoun just right after the aid trucks arrived there, following more than forty days without food. They burned down the school and all the aid supplies, forcing the displaced people to evacuate by force. pic.twitter.com/HJxqDqdCq3

— Ania Lewandovska 🍉 (@Anna_AnninaEl) November 15, 2024

In the past week, at the refugee camps in Gaza, at least 5 infants have died from hypothermia. Among them is the 3-week-old baby, ‘Ali (in the picture).

With the arrival of winter, Israel has left millions of people in Gaza without proper shelter and heating.

Infants and… pic.twitter.com/ykYhwhmJZy

— B'Tselem בצלם بتسيلم (@btselem) January 3, 2025

STOP everything you're doing & listen to what Jewish American Doctor Mark Perlmutter saw in Gaza: pic.twitter.com/ZbltdHqE6l

— Omar Baddar عمر بدّار (@OmarBaddar) July 22, 2024

"We saw a number of children with sniper injuries to the head, single shot to the head, no other injuries, so clearly deliberately targeted by Israeli snipers."

Professor Nizam Mamode giving evidence to MPs in parliament yesterday about his time working in Gaza pic.twitter.com/AQClWc1Bc8

— Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth) November 13, 2024

In May 2024, the ICJ (International Court of Justice) ruled that it was “plausible” that Israel’s actions in Gaza amounted to genocide. This ruling was followed up by the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, along with Hamas commander Mohammed Deif, for their alleged crimes against humanity.

#ICC Prosecutor @KarimKhanQC announces applications for arrest warrants in relation to Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant in the context of the situation in the State of #Palestine ⤵️https://t.co/WqDZecXFZq pic.twitter.com/bxqLWc5M6u

— Int'l Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) May 20, 2024

In the given context, viewers have taken offense at the skewed representation of the situation at multiple levels. Firstly, the inversion of the parties involved in the real-life air strikes has many fans feeling that the show made a deliberate attempt at dispersing Zionist propaganda. In addition, using the very real suffering of the people in the Middle East as a mere plot point has also left a bad taste in viewers’ mouths.

@mbcdrama_pre This is what the Palestinian(Paltima) people are enduring, and you're claiming they are attacking Israel(Izmael)? Are you f****** serious?#WhenThePhoneRingsEp12#WhenThePhoneRings #지금거신전화는 https://t.co/mr0rg8cV6X pic.twitter.com/Rgh6C761Wa

— 🅸🆁🅷🅰 (@IRHA880929) January 4, 2025

and once again. palestinian genocide is NOT a light topic to discuss on a kdrama. and this kdrama couldn’t get any worse they had to blatantly LIE about what’s actually happening there. free palestine you freaks https://t.co/SJXgEJENsA

— luna (@geewonfilms) January 4, 2025

What they put on the show vs. What's actually happening in Palestine … #FreePalestine #WhenThePhoneRings https://t.co/AvTpdLFBo8 pic.twitter.com/g78E1IFflW

— Bloom 🌸 🇵🇸 (@bbuyoMom) January 4, 2025

They just fawking shattered my heart to pieces!? I’m not even kidding the way I’m sick on seeing media būllshit and propaganda justify the bombing of innocent civilians and ppl seeking asylum in hospitals!? It’s such a shame. #WhenThePhoneRingsEp12 https://t.co/uw5oSpMxFz

— Mina (@nunya_2025) January 4, 2025

using an ongoing genocide as a mere plot device especially in a way that aligns w zionist narratives is not just tone deaf but deeply offensive https://t.co/eEq2GGxPOp

— 𝑠𝑖𝑑 (@brownkudiii) January 4, 2025

The show’s director, Park Sang Woo, executive producer, Kwon Sung Chang, and screenwriter, Kim Ji Woon have been called out by viewers to take accountability for this blunder and apologize. Many have also called on MBC to remove the clip from the show and offer an apology.

Yall seriously need to start boycotting korean entertainment that pro-zionist. Boycott the writer and director for good. Avoid the actors too https://t.co/SynR6FTOkv

— haruharu (@haruSKELETON) January 4, 2025

yeonseok-soobin carry the whole drama but production crew ruin everything. they show a news report saying "paltima airstriking izmael and taking korean hostages"?? they're zionist

— piyu (@ongesaranghae) January 4, 2025

Only ignorant idiots (see the names below) would insert something they have no idea to just lick as@es of zionists – and it has like zero related to the drama. Disappointing drama with this shameful agenda.#WhenThePhoneRingsEp12 #WhenThePhoneRings https://t.co/z08XF0QTbA

— Oz440 (@Oz4408) January 4, 2025

Paltima???
Izmael???

Shame on you @mbcdrama_pre
Shame on you #WhenThePhoneRings !!
If you haven't watched it yet! Just boycott! Don't watch it! pic.twitter.com/kuW7Hte9iG

— SunnyMeloFia (@Imsunnyjae) January 4, 2025

None of the parties involved with the K-Drama have responded to this controversy as of yet. Stay tuned for more updates.