K-Drama 'When The Phone Rings' Faces Backlash Over Israel-Palestine War Allegory

The series finale of the popular show has drawn criticism for perceived insensitivity, with viewers accusing creators of pushing a political narrative.

• The finale of 'When The Phone Rings' features fictional countries 'Paltima' and 'Izmael,' which viewers claim are allegories for Palestine and Israel.
• Critics argue the scene misrepresents the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict and accuse the show of promoting a biased perspective.
• Social media users have called for a boycott of the show, urging the creators and network to issue an apology or remove the controversial scene.
• Despite the controversy, the series concluded with record-high viewership ratings, achieving an 8.6% nationwide rating in South Korea.
• This is not the first time the show has faced criticism; earlier episodes were accused of mocking sign language, prompting an apology from the creators.

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