Suspicious Partner

This is an enjoyable show to watch

I watched this a while back. It was a very good show, excellent chemistry between the leads. I just went back and watched it again and I had to lower my rating. She was a MESS! Stalker-like behavior, needy, doormat. He, however, was wonderful. I did enjoy the storyline, and there were a lot of parts that I enjoyed a lot. I liked the work aspect of the story a lot more than I thought I would, since I'm usually all about the romance, and there were some VERY good scenes of them together, but again, my lowered rating is basically because of the behaviors of the FL - so, as an actress, she did a great job. All of the actors were terrific.

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Does anybody know this Song???

Is there somebody who knows the sad Song in the Backround?

Its instrumental /piano I guess.
the First time, its on the Scene: when the Killer is hearing his music, walk through a Park and remember a girl which walking by. The second Time is, when the ?Shaman? lay in Hospital (Warning! Spoiler> and died).

its such a beautiful Song but I cant find them. It is NOT a Part of the official OST. (Ive heard every Song which Youtube found from Suspicious Partner it isnt there!)
Shazam could not find it.

Its similar to Songs from Thomas Newman ("Road to Perdition" or something like that)

Im very desperate.

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Slight spoiler warnings.

This was a really interesting k-drama to watch.

While I am a big fan of the storyline including lawyers and prosecutors and just overall getting insight on how the whole legal system works in Korea, I think the storyline was unnecessarily drawn out. The whole drama could’ve probably been concluded in 16 one hour episodes instead of 40 30 minute ones.

Without giving away the identity of the killer, I have to say this drama does an excellent job of making you sympathize with the character. I haven’t been this invested in a bad guy in soo long it was really refreshing.

Overall I would give this a relatively high rating however the length and considering the fact that the main lead sometimes got on my nerves lol, the overall rating is lowered a bit.
I wouldn’t rewatch but I would recommend it to those looking for a series including legal elements.

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I really like the first episode of this drama. It's fun to watch and made me want to watch the next episodes..
But I found the pace of the story was quite slow.. I like the story line, but 40 episodes are too much.
I think the plot will be more interesting if they shorten the lenght of the episodes.. I feel like some scenes were made just to prolong the story..
1. I like the story (if only it's shorten)
2. Good Acting perform by all leads involve (including the villian, he was really good)
I like mystery kind of drama, but I might not rewatch this drama again because it's too long. I fast forward some episodes while watching it.

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Verdict: Guilty (Pleasure)

This is my junk-food drama; I know it’s imperfect, but it’s MY imperfect drama. Objectively speaking, this is probably just an okay drama, but for me it’s strangely a favourite -- a guilty pleasure, if you will. I’ve rewatched it more than any other drama I’ve seen.

I would say it begins a little trope-ish, the characters are almost gimmicky. Such as Eun Bong Hee being ditzy or Noh Ji-wook having... to put it lightly, the worst temper. But the law and crime aspect twists it into something quite entertaining. The court room scenes are good (even if not super accurate), the cases are interesting and the unexpected (if you didn't read the description like me) murder plot keeps you entertained. Thankfully, they do develop the characters and give us some great dynamics later. For example, Bong Hee does gain more skills and tact as she progresses. She went from arguing her client wasn't a stalker essentially based on vibes (and ignoring the fact that he previously had a VALID restraining order placed against him) to playing a vital role in catching a murderer and solving other cases!
The interactions between all the characters were always a delight to watch too, we have some good tension between Ji-wook, Ji Eun-Hyuk and Cha Yoo-jung. The characters are the back-bone of this show, they’re almost all likeable. For example, Mr Bang is an absolute gem! He and Mr Byeon were comedy machines! Moreover, even though I am admittedly an extreme amateur in judging acting quality, I think the cast is excellent!

I can recognise the care that went into crafting Noh Ji-wook's role in particular. The actor who played him (Ji Chang Wook) seems to have specific mannerisms for the character that are very clear, but still natural. For example, when he’s thinking of how to answer a question he’ll touch or open his mouth, he also touches the bottom of his nose sometimes. Another thing he’ll do is, if he’s shy about saying, he’ll touch his ear, or if he’s holding his suit case he brings it close to his body in a defensive manner. And if he’s lying, he smiles —which i noticed he also does when interrogating people very often. Usually I can never notice what actors are really doing, so this stood out to me (and also makes me sound a little deranged, to be frank). Though… it’s probably attributable to rewatching this like four times. In general, I would say the show improves substantially from the beginning in most aspects, including production and writing.

I can also understand how this show can get frustrating, the first time I watched it there were plenty of things that irked me. After all, It’s essentially a situationship drama since they’re really in a situationship for more episodes than they’re actually in a *relation*ship for. Not to mention, when they’re actually together, someone's busy getting killed. Something that irked me in particular, is that Bong Hee is ridiculously oblivious --or even arrogant at times-- when the drama starts. She is very avoidant when dealing with issues, and that’s something she doesn’t entirely shake. A prime example is Bong Hee’s decision to lie to Ji-wook about why she didn’t want to be with him yet. It was selfish and compensating for her own guilt. I don’t agree with Ji-wook lying to Bong Hee about Jung Hyeon Soo either, but I especially hate that Bong Hee blamed it on him and then gets mad at him for doing exactly what she’s doing. She makes both of them feel equally as bad or worse for no reason. Though, I wouldn’t say it’s far off from what many other dramas used to do. If you’re someone who enjoys healthy communication in your dramas, this one will have you pulling your hair out.

However, one thing I will always hold a grudge for, is the unnecessary fight about a client hitting her husband over the head. That sounds strange out of context but this will make sense if you’ve seen it. It straight up feels like an assassination of the character they built up for Bong Hee. They had already brought back some avoidant and annoyingness towards the end, then they gave the the most unreasonable thing to be upset about. Then she asks: “why did we fight?!” that was you, that was literally 100% your fault. It frustrates me that they turned that moment into some “women are mysterious creatures, just say sorry or whatever!” stereotype (perhaps even bordering on misogyny) moment. Seriously, it shouldn’t have been like “why are all women like this?” especially when it was *one* specific person being "like that". Arguably, that also portrays some valid feelings as trivial. Sure, all the guys are caught out on it, but it was plain unnecessary. It added nothing, it just chipped that ceramic bowl of character development. Sure, the bowl's still usable, but the chip will always be there.

In general, the ending had some undue friction, their initial friction led to chemistry because it progressed into a tease. The friction they added later, was just watching a couple fight and feeling like you’re third-wheeling. I'm not entirely sure I want to feel like I'm uncomfortably seated at a restaurant watching the main couple's trivial fight, desperately trying to come up with an excuse to leave. It also just didn’t make sense. You’re trying to convince me a prosecutor can’t read facial expressions to figure out if his girlfriend likes an outfit? Meanwhile he’s been reading other facial expressions left and right the entire show? Next you’re gonna tell me I’m an optimist. Overall, they could have done with some editing down. That’s coming from someone who would watch a second season in a heart beat.

On another note, there were some thoughtful details I appreciated more after rewatching. Notably, I realised there was an overarching theme of (love and) loss in this, we are given examples of all the different ways loss affects different people. Some deal with loss with anger and violence like Jung Hyun Soo (of course, that is not to say he was justified at all. It just works as an explanation for how he got there). You could even say Bong Hee fits into this category initially. Some have reservations and push people away like Ji-wook. Others, like the psychic seeing his lover one last time, had optimism. There are also instances of hope, and regret, sprinkled in dynamics such as Cha Yoo Jung and Ji Eun Hyuk.

(❗️This part refers to more specific scenes of the show. If you have not completed the show, I especially recommend skipping this part❗️)
They also tend to directly parallel scenes. For example, Ji-wook’s “plead” for Bong Hee to like him was basically the exact opposite of the circumstances in Bong Hee's confession. In which, she ran to him in the middle of the night, unintentionally blurting out her feelings, and he responds “don’t fall for me”. In this later scene, he runs to her as the sun shines on the leaves foliage, casting shadows. He hugs her, and says “please like me now”; It’s the exact opposite. This happens again later when Bong Hee broke up with Ji-wook. Before that he said “even if I ask you to leave me, don’t leave”. Bong-hui breaks up with him by saying “even if you ask me to stay, I’m leaving”. Additionally, these pivotal moments (like his plead, the break up, then the proposal) often happen in the same spot, on that street filled with trees. I thought these were nice details to add, and really solidify how the characters themselves contrast each other.

There are some random things though, like… introducing a psychic then immediately killing him off? Hilariously unnecessary and unfitting in retrospect, but they definitely used it for some good comedy moments. I would say they also provide us with a lot of unintentional comedy. That includes:

1. Bong Hee fondly looking back on a memory of utter distress saying: “he tried to prosecute me ☺️ he demanded that I spend 15 years in jail 🥰 I keep falling for him 😍” I just can’t help but ask, they… couldn’t pick a different scene???

2. For some reason, there’s a theme of using worse versions of things they have better versions of. E.g., sleeping on the (squeaky grandpa) couch or a chair… right outside your bedroom door, watching tv together… on your laptop, when he probably has a tv. Why?

3. Speaking of that grandpa couch, IT’S EXTREMELY SQUEAKY!! I’m shocked they didn’t edit that out.

4. Also for some reason he seemingly has a star wars storm trooper in his house?!? Never mentioned in any capacity, I had to pause to double check what it was, but I promise it’s there. If I recall correctly, it’s most visible in the episode where he’s reinstated as a prosecutor and goes to get the robe out.

5. “Let’s never break up” and in the same episode “let’s break up” almost comical.

6. There’s a weird amount of fridge organising in this show, like both Bong Hee and Ji-wook do it??

7. The intro really does not fit this show because we go from this cutesy “and I know love… is stupid 🥰” song, to someone getting murdered

Overall, it’s an entertaining drama and I would say it’s very reminiscent of the time it was released. Trying to speak objectively, I think it’s quite enjoyable even if it is flawed. At the very least, you’re likely to enjoy the characters (especially the comedic relief characters) and the main murder storyline.

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Why did people... like this?

Maybe I'm not being fair to this show as I didn't actually finish it, but that's because I actually just couldn't stand to watch any longer. Excepting the acting, because the actors did as good a job as they were able with the material, the plot, script, and characters were just bad. Some major issues I have with the show are:

Characters: Both main leads were difficult to tolerate, but what I really couldn't get over is how Bong Hee stalks Ji Wook for a good long stretch of episodes. I also wish if a kdrama makes a point to tell the audience that the female lead can kick some a*s, they should SHOW it. If they did later on and I just didn't get to that before I dropped, my bad. It just seems like the show wanted to have a "strong female lead" but then never actually made her be one. Not that strong female leads can't have vulnerable moments or flaws, it just seemed like Bong Hee was all flaws. I didn't find her stalking cute at all. I will say, as much as it was embarrassing to watch, I respected Bong Hee embracing her crazy ex gf status and reclaiming it in a way (until it got her to be a murder suspect whoops). Ji Wook I think I just didn't like because of how rude he was, and we share some polar opposite principles on the legal system and how it should and should not operate. That last one is just a me thing, though.

Overall Enjoyment: I'm sorry but what's happening in this show? From coworkers to murder suspect, to stalker, to business partners, to housemates...like I just was waiting for the show to be engaging and not forcibly have to watch. I think that was the problem at the end of the day was that I had to convince myself to keep watching and hoping it will get better. And I don't even mean in terms of the quality of the show or anything, but waiting until watching what was happening in the show not be tortuous and cringeworthy to witness. We literally just waited for Ji Wook to not be creeped out by Bong Hee in order for the romance to progress. And sorry but I just don't get butterflies from that type of romance.

Ultimately, I just could not keep watching Suspicious Partner. I felt like I was watching a trainwreck each episode of secondhand embarrassment. For me, nothing about the show was charming. Especially the whole cheating backstory with Ji Wook and his ex bestfriend and girlfriend. There was no character that was just fun to watch do their thing. To me, the entire main cast was just wholly unlikable and you can't really go anywhere if you don't enjoy watching any of the characters lol. I really don't understand why people liked this show so much. And this is coming from someone who was excited to watch it! But it is what it is and Chang Wook has the advantage of just standing there and looking cute for the drama to be successful. I just had to call it quits and stop wasting my time waiting to get to when I would enjoy watching the show :/

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If you like love sick dramas then you'll love this

I tried watching this because it was considered to be have suspense and action with romance on the side. Unfortunately it's majority oozing, drippy romance with a touch of comedy and very little suspense.

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who came to watch this because of The K 2 and Healer.

I was disappointed because the first 21 episodes I watched were the same lovey dovey eye roll that I have tried to avoid in a lot of Kdramas.

Now when I first started watching Kdramas which was last June or July of 2020 I became hooked. Not because of the romance but the action and drama itself.

This one I just couldn't stomach because of the main female lead. A lot of Kdramas always have the female lead playing the love sick idiot and it's really ad nauseum for me.

If I was a lovesick preteen or teenager then this would've worked but I'm no longer that. I also don't mind a little romance but this was overly done.

It will have to go on the back burner for the time being for me.

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WHY IS THIS SO HIGH RATED?

Suspicious partner has been one of the most highest rated drama and for years of putting this off to watch later, I finally decided to give this one a try and was even quite excited to do so. Watching JI Chang Wook's Healer which I really liked and Melting me softly which I didn't, I was excited to watch his star in a legal drama and playing the role of a lawyer.
After watching 20 episodes which is 50% of the drama I can confidently say that now I can give a verdict.

THE GOOD:
1. JI CHANG WOOK - the confidence with which the actor potrays the character is just so charming and will draw you in. His ability to potray emotions, be vulnerable, frustrated, sad or simply flirty with that classic charm and smile of his is what makes this drama watchable.

THE BAD:
1. UNDERDEVELOVED ROMANCE: this drama is pretty self aware with it's biggest selling point being the romance of the leads yet it fails to do so. We have their first meeting then a 3 month leap, then again after an incident another 2 year leap and they meet again and their story moves forward from there, but most of their scenes doesn't even make your heart flutter, most of the time its the FL who is in her feels because of her one sided love and even when the ML cares for her, the scenes are so sparce and rare that sometimes you even question does he really have genuine feels for her?

2. FEMALE LEAD: continuing with my earlier point, before the 2 year leap the FL is already in love with ML, but, apart from the guy saving her life while sacrifising his ( which is also because of his own morals and conscience) not entirely linked with the female lead and thus losing his job in the process, in the two months they were together there was barely any scenes for them to fall in love with each other so deeply( later it was revealed that male lead has always loved her but never realised).
We are watching a legal drama so we would naturally expect a smart , mature and classy female lead, but we barely see her in the court room and even when we do its either the male lead doing everything and her just sitting their not contributing to anything, even when she presents her arguments she comes off as childish who is reciting lines without any conviction, confidence, personality or charm and her high pitched baby voice which works when she wants to be cute but fails horribly while presenting her side of the argumets, thus her just ended up becoming a classing accesory for the male to be her night in shinning armour, even then you question, what is really so likable about the female lead again? She doesn't fit and is extremely surface level.

3. VERY SLOW PACING

4. ABDRUPT TONAL SHIFT : one second there is a serial killer and investigation another someone is making a corny joke or some abrupt shift to romance that it's going to hit neither of the feels.

5. UNINTERESTING SIDE CHARA CTERS: this is only drama where not a single supporting characters interests you. the dialogues are bland which doesn't help either.

6. CHEATERS ARE GIVEN REDEMPTIONS : cheating is always a choice not a compulsion but to see that both ML and FL were cheated on but instead of feeling disgusted by them they are actually being frieds with is diabolical. as and adult who went through a similar situation i was disgusted by those characters and there were three of them.

7. MAIN STORY AND ITS SUSPENSE TAKES A BACK SEAT AND THE MOTIVATION OF THE KILLER AND PLOT WAS PREDICTABLE.

8. BORING COURT ROOM SEQUENCE.

9. UNREALISTIC AND DUMB DOWN LAWYERS AND SITUATIONS WHICH MAKES THE VILLAIN SEEMS INTELLIGENT.

10. VERY MEDIOCRE OST AND FORGETABLE.

FINAL THOUGHTS- started great but after a while it was lawn inducing. tried to do too much and failed at everything.
So the question arises WHY IS THIS ONE SO HIGH RATED?

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Super Drama, Super Chemistry

I know I was 7 years late to have this review, but this drama of Ji chang wook really hit me so hard. I love the story
suspense thriller and law drama. The support role cast and even the OST.
I already watched some dramas of JCW but the prosecutor image was really suitable for him plus the fact that
his chemistry between Nam jihyun is absolutely perfect eventhough there's age gap between them.
I will surely rewatch this drama over and over again. I wish they end as a real couple in real life (so delulu me hahaha)
Noh Ji Hyuk and Bong Hee (my fave character so far)

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