Netflix’s When the Phone Rings hit with boycott calls over Gaza war

One of Netflix’s hottest K-dramas ‘When the Phone Rings’ is under fire across social media after referencing the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, further sparking debate and political backlash. 

During its last episode, one of the characters is heard introducing two countries, “Paltima” and “Izmael” in reference to Palestine and Israel stirring controversy among pro-Palestine fans of the K-drama.

The clip was described as a propaganda tool to showcase Palestine in a bad image by having Koreans taken hostage by a specific militant group, regarding the hostage exchange deals between Hamas and Israel.

Netflix’s When the Phone Rings hit with a boycott over Gaza war

By the time of writing this article, When the Phone Rings is being review bombed on Google user Reviews, IMDB, and Rotten Tomatoes right after the release of its last episode which contained the clip that triggered the boycott calls.

The Phone Rings is currently sitting at, 14 percent on Google user reviews, 6.4/10 on IMDB, and 12 percent on Rotten Tomatoes with the numbers only going down from there.

One social media user took to Musk’s X (formerly known as Twitter) and wrote, “When The Phone Rings is a perfect example of how a final episode can ruin an entire drama.”

They added, “Not only does the last episode feel like a different drama, with the male lead missing for six months and the story straying far from the main storyline (the Argan plot), but it also attempts to twist the narrative surrounding the ongoing genocide in Gaza.”

Another user wrote, “They did not js f****in include a scene where “Palatima” attacks “Izmael” and takes Koreans hostage???? completely unnecessary and clearly meant to smear Palestine.”