Suspicious Partner (2017)

Great legal drama with romance and a serial killer

9.5/10 is my rating. This is a 2017 South Korean television drama spanning 40 episodes (~30 minutes). Ji-wook (Chang-wook) male lead. The lead female character is Eun Bong-Hee (Nam Ji-hyun)

About Noh Ji-wook, a prosecutor, and Eun Bong-hee , a prosecutor trainee, and how they work together on a mysterious case involving a sly psychopath murderer They find out how deeply connected they are by their past.

Spoiler ? The standard description really does not do credit to this story. There is a serial killer who taunts the two main characters throughout the entire show. The female lead is framed for a murder she did not commit and it basically destroys her life. There is sizzling chemistry between her and the male lead. Lots of romance and it is filled with suspense. This is now one of my favorites.

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This is one of those shows that I didn't feel too enthusiastic to watch after reading the synopsis, but I'm glad I did. The first episode starts like a silly romcom, guy meets girl, they have a misunderstanding and an embarrassing situation ensues. By a weird twist of fate they end up at the same place, and 2PM's Chanseong is an asshole to the girl so guy saves girl. Girl keeps embarrassing herself and ... what? Spends the night at his place lol .This is all typical romcom until the female lead, Bonghee, gets charged with murdering 2PM's Chanseong.

I can't emphasize enough how this is actually a good show, the events that quickly unfold in the first episodes will keep you glued to the screen, and Ji Chanwook and Nam Jihyun play their characters beautifully. In no moment I find Bonghee annoying, even though her personality is strong and loud, and in no moment Jiwook's quirkiness goes away or disappoints.

I was surprised to find interesting the serial murder part of the story, some shows fail to do so and with 40 episodes following the same guy, you would think it would get tiring. The drama gets slow at points, but the pace picks up and it isn't disappointing at all.

The love story between the two is quite meaningful because it spans over years and it grows and evolves. From the moment she realizes she's fallen for him, then follows him from afar after he tells her to stay away, to when she ponders whether she is in love or if it has become an obsession and decides to quit. I love the moment she tells herself it is unhealthy and unwanted and cries on her couch, wondering why she is in so much pain when they were never anything.

I love how he deals with his love from the past and this doesn't become an obstacle between them, but rather what stops him are his reservations to start something. How he knows he is being a coward but says he was afraid he wouldn't be good enough. All those feelings are very real and I can relate to them, and specially as both have been hurt in the past, how they eventually find support and love in each other is really uplifting.

Also this drama doesn't deal with love in a shy way (like is common to see in korean dramas), when they are both ready, they jump in each other's arms. It is a very nice relationship to see grow and both actors do a splendid job making it believable.

The side characters are funny but the most memorable is Ji Eunhyuk, No Jiwook's childhood friend who betrayed him in the past. From his high IQ gags, to his awkward laughter, then to his melancholic real face and his yearning to gain his good old friend back. It is truly moving to see.

The law side of the story isn't that important or realistic, which was a let down as I particularly enjoy legal dramas, but the show has enough of other good points to make up for that.

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LONG REVIEW

Now that I have watched the whole drama (because of  Ji Chang Wook, let’s be honest) I understand the complaints. I’ll start with the good, move to the bad, and finish with the ugly.

The Good : When I started watching the show, I expected mainly comedy, based on the 1st episode (didn’t remember the synopsis). While it was fun to watch, it dealt with dark issues, and revealed a lot about man’s fragility and his natural tendency to be selfish and do evil, including when it comes to love. As predictable as the romance was, the criminal cases weren’t. I thought that making a drama about serious murder cases so digestible was not an easy task, and very well done. I also appreciated the fact that the female lead was not as gorgeous as the male lead. It's usually the other way around. She was not Ms Perfect, but just an everyday girl, and very opiniated. Ji Wook was generous and transparent, in real life he would make an awesome partner.

The bad (actors) : Very few actors can mix deep emotions with comedy. Ji Chang Wook can do it easy, but Nam Ji Hyun is not as good. She’s awesome to make you laugh, but when it comes to moving you to tears or making you angry, I couldn’t take her seriously. She’s not good at conveying deep emotions. She can’t cry to save her life. Well, at least Ji Chang Wook and Dong Ha (who was terrific) made up for her average skills.

The ugly (plot) : Some things were too unrealistic. Now I know this is entertainment but this is not a fantasy or sci-fi drama, this is a legal one. No woman in her right mind would move in where Bong Hee lived so fast. There's more to say but then I would have to spoil a lot. As for the characters, Yoo Jung was a pretty blend and irrelevant one. Self-centered, childish, unable to self-reflect. I never liked the situation between Eun Hyuk and Yoo Jung, and until the end I never liked those two.

In conclusion I enjoyed the drama at first but it went south by the 30th episode, now I get why it gets so much bad rap. It was too long (32 episodes of 30 minutes would have been more than enough), some circumstances were too unrealistic and the ending was beyond lackluster. Where were the fireworks ??? Way to frustrate an audience after 40 freaking episodes!!!!

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Though I can kind of understand the mixed reviews, I thought this was fun and romantic and think it's defintiely worth checking out. It starts off really strong with loads of romance and cuteness which fizzles somewhat with darker plot complications as the story progressed, but ultimately goes back to being cute. I feel like I've watched a few dramas recently that pair the cute romantic comedy and dark crime genres together. It seems like an difficult pairing to pull off, but this drama manages to do it adequately. So depending on how charismatic you find the main couple or how much you enjoy the crime story / villain you may really enjoy this.

PROS: Ji Chang Wook is my favorite actor since I watched him in Healer so I admit that makes me rate this drama higher than I might if he wasn't in it - maybe half a point higher. I was really happy to just watch him in something where he just plays a normal guy. For me this was enough to keep me entertained. I also liked Bong Hee and thought they had good chemistry together.

The supporting characters were cute and likable. I enjoyed the funny bickering of attorneys at the office. Their office meetings were always funny. I also thought the bickering moms storyline was funny. The mean female attorney character grew on me and became one of the more amusing side characters.

CONS: It doesn't finish as strongly as it started and to me a it drags a little in the middle when the crime storyline takes more prominence. The actor who plays the villain gets a lot of screen time and does a good job. But I just wasn't as invested in this part of the story. The plot was entertaining enough to keep my attention though. Certain plot points could have been amped up for more impact. And certain plot points are introduced that added complications but could have been done without. The second leads could have been given a little more to do. And the old friendship between 2 male leads could have been played up a little more. I would have liked to see more of them together.

That sounds like a lot of cons, but it is mostly picking at the plot. Overall, I thought this was a really fun and cute drama to watch and looked forward to each episode.

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Before you get into this review, let me warn you that I am a BIG fan of actor Ji Chang Wook and this review will contain a lot of praises for my most favourite Korean actor. So, if you don’t like him (which is impossible because how can anybody, not like Ji Chang Wook?) then do not proceed further.
I was a little surprised when Ji Chang Wook stated that Suspicious Partner is his first try at rom-com because I always saw him as a romantic hero. I later realised that his previous dramas were more of action and less of romance. His role in ‘Empress Ki’ was comical but the show was more of drama and less of comedy. So, that does make Suspicious Partner his first rom-com. And I wish I could personally tell him that he did a great job at it.
 
Let’s weigh this rom-com cum suspense drama on our show beam balance and see what makes these two unlikely partners a hit.

Good Weights
Ji Chang Wook: There is a reason why actor Ji Chang Wook is my favourite. Apart from his ridiculously handsome face, smouldering gaze, childlike smile, and HAWT body, there is one important quality in him that makes him the perfect drama hero for me. That quality is the conviction with which he does romantic scenes. The director of the show is clearly aware of Chang Wook’s forte and has used every opportunity to showcase Chang Wook’s plus points. Some scenes show Ji Wook suffering from some internal turmoil and he is unable to say it aloud so he just gazes at Bong Hee. I would kill to have Chang Wook look at me with those eyes. And not just romance, he is damn freaking good even in emotional scenes. The scene when Officer Bang is hanging between life and death and a shattered Ji Wook pounds on the door wailing for his friend gave me goosebumps. What is it that Ji Chang Wook can’t do? Well, he does need to work on his comic timing (and his dance too. He sucks at dancing but thankfully he does not really need it as an actor in Korean entertainment industry). He is like India’s Hrithik Roshan who aces emotional and romantic scenes like no other actor but is on a weaker footing when it comes to comedy. But I could see it in this show itself that Chang Wook is working hard on improving his comic timing and I am sure he will get better.

Nam Ji Hyun: Talking about comic timing, there couldn’t have been a better actress than Nam Ji Hyun to pull off amusing scenes so effortlessly. The funny scenes on the show seemed funny because of Nam Ji Hyun. Her pleasing personality and bright warm smile make me happy, very happy. Bong Hee is supposed to be a black belt champion who fights like a professional but I felt there was a lot of scope in that department for Ji Hyun. Her few fighting scenes did not look very convincing to me.  However, her expressive face made up for all her shortcomings. Several actresses turned down the role of Eun Bong Hee before Nam Ji Hyun signed up for it. And I was thrilled to know that I would be seeing two of my favourite actors together in a drama.

Lead Couple Chemistry: I am not just a regular fan girl but a crazy obsessive possessive fangirl who can’t share her Oppa with anybody else. And I will admit here that the chemistry between Ji Chang Wook and Nam Ji Hyun was so amazing that I hated to see them together. After seeing their explosive and passionate love scene I almost wanted to kill Nam Ji Hyun because I was just so envious of her. Jealousy aside, a love story can be successful only when the lead couple shares good on-screen chemistry. If you see any other show of Ji Chang Wook, you will know that he can build chemistry with even a rock. He looks at his female lead with such adoration that I am convinced of his love for them. However, if Ji Wook and Bong Hee look great together then it is not only because of Ji Chang Wook but also because Nam Ji Hyun complemented him well. Her acting skills matched with his and together they created magic on screen. Fans have been rooting for them to date in real life. I would have laughed at the fans optimism but after the Song-Song couple breaking the news of their marriage, I feel anything is possible and nobody would be happier than me to see Ji Chang Wook and Nam Ji Hyun together. (I am lying. I want Ji Chang Wook to be with ME and not anybody else.)

Eun Hyuk: Me and my obsession with second leads. Argh!!! Thankfully this second lead is not in a love triangle with the main lead so you see he is different. Eun Hyuk’s character is funny, friendly and vital to the story. I like all the supporting characters on the show, but Eun Hyuk is my favourite because through most part of the show his personality seemed hard for me to define. He seemed almost mysterious to me as I tried to figure out if he was a comical character or a serious dude. Well, he is a blend of comedy and seriousness which is why I like the character a lot. He is a friend who screwed up big time with his besties and repents it. He tries his best to win Ji Wook’s trust and helps him whenever he can. He gives Bong Hee the additional boost she needs to act upon her feelings for Ji Wook. He is that one character whose presence makes me feel rest assured that no matter how bad things go for Ji Wook and Bong Hee, Eun Hyuk will help them out of it.
Though I liked Ji Wook and Bong Hee’s love story it was Eun Hyuk and Yoo Jung’s love story that I was more interested in. It is because you know that Ji Wook and Bong Hee, like any other couple, will meet and separate and then meet again to be together forever. The same applies to Eun Hyuk and Yoo Jung too but their story development was slow paced and uncertain. In spite of the evident chemistry, I still wasn’t sure if they would eventually end up together or not and this made me root for them so bad that I couldn’t wait to see them finally admit their feelings.

Bromance: This show had a lot of bromance happening between Ji Wook and his friends Eun Hyuk, Officer Bang, CEO Byun. These men play an important role in Ji Wook’s life and they all are cool. Ji Wook’s awkward, almost rebellious, relationship with his foster father CEO Byun is cute because when you feel worried for Ji Wook’s reckless decisions you know he has CEO Byun’s backing who will take good care of him. Similarly, when Ji Wook needs an extra hand at work you know his work will be done by his right-hand Officer Bang. And lastly, the frenemy turned friend (?) Eun Hyuk and Ji Wook share and easy and interesting chemistry. I loved their banter and their minor fights. I couldn’t help clapping in glee whenever they would act friendly each other.

Direction and Sound Track: After Goblin it was Suspicious Partner that I felt was beautifully directed and edited. The cinematography was excellent. I have to mention the kiss scenes here. Whenever there is was kiss scene, the audio would suddenly go off till the song would resume after a few moments of complete silence. This lack of sound baffled me at first but then I really appreciated the idea of having no sound till the two characters grow closer in the scene.

The show’s OST includes peppy songs like ‘Eye Contact’ by Kim EZ and ‘Why You’ by Seenroot that symbolize Ji Wook and Bong Hee’s initial relationship.
Meanwhile, ‘Breathing All Day’ by Bumkey and ‘How About You’ by Cheeze is for the lovely moments that Ji Wook and Bong Hee share in the show.

Ending: I have been ranting in my last few drama reviews of how I was left disappointed and cheated of a good conclusion to several dramas. Suspicious Partner surprised me not only during its run but also with its stunning conclusion. The ending was totally shocking as I really did not expect the puzzle to solve in a way that would leave me astonished with the final picture. I did not expect such an unpredictable twist. And I would applaud the writer for unravelling the mystery so skillfully and giving me the classic ending I was starved for.


Bad Weights
Story Pacing: Though I loved the show a lot, I have to admit that it does get a little boring for a few episodes in the middle. The show was funny, romantic, and suspenseful. But I did not like it when the villain disappeared for a few episodes. In the villain’s absence, the focus turns to developing the love story between Ji Wook and Bong Hee, which was cute but for me the story went off-track for those few episodes. It was necessary to show how Ji Wook and Bong Hee are connected with an incident that occurred in the past. However, even though I loved Ji Wook and Bong Hee’s love story, I really missed the villain and awaited his return eagerly.
 
The show beam balance is overloaded with good weights. Thus implying that it is a thoroughly entertaining drama. Suspicious Partner is my bias Ji Chang Wook’s final drama before he enlists for mandatory military service and I am so happy with his impeccable performance in the show. Yes, his comic timing can be worked upon but other than that my dear Oppa rocks all departments of dramatic acting. Actress Nam Ji Hyun stuns with her immaculate performance and fills in wherever Chang Wook falls short. Her dazzling smile always manages to melt my heart and I really love watching her dramas. Chang Wook and Ji Hyun together make this show endearing and entertaining.

Suspicious Partner is a rom-com that is beautifully blended with suspense and some drama. The show does slow down a bit but manages to catch up in the end. Watch it because it should not be missed for any reason.

Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in

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His royal hotness, Ji Chang Wook, comes off strong and effective Atty. No Ji Wook, as expected of his range as an actor. He has the ever familiar gestures and stares that he has used to charm his love interests, but it works. Maybe I have been charmed by his bright smile and finely chiseled face, but he is one of the most formidable actors in K-dramaland no doubt.

Support characters, Atty. Byun and Atty. Ji Eun-Hyuk, are also effective and lovable. Nara's Cha Yoo Jung leaves a remarkable performance, as well.

The female lead is a big disappointment, lacking maturity as an actress, and lacks more depth as a character; she is supposed to be a black belt in Judo(?) and quite a strong/tough woman and yet she comes off weak and easily shaken.

It is almost painful to watch her acting opposite Ji Chang Wook. Nam Ji-Hyun's take on the character Eun-Bonghee is quite poor. She uses the same character reference for the provincial girl she portrayed in Shopping King Louie; which worked then for that show. Sadly, the same portrayal for a different and more empowered character in Suspicious Partner is flat out failure. She acts all cute with a cutesy voice that is not typical of a supposed confident lawyer / (acquitted) murder-suspect / mature lady, which is disturbing. Could she possibly be a miscast?

Can the writer do something to make character Atty. Eun Bonghee, smarter and more confident please? She is clearly surrounded by danger and yet she goes out alone at night, etc? Gosh, please help this character, writer-nim!

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Much Better Than Predicted

It's been awhile since I've watched this as I just found this website and am currently trying to bang out all these reviews while I'm in between shows so I can start making fresh reviews with the next one. lol

But as far as I remember, this show was great. Another thriller romcom that really did a great job at balancing both and keeping both interesting the entire series.

Another drama where the entire cast is phenomenal. Both in their own roles, and their relationships with each other. It also gives you a little dose of that jealous "bf". The one scene that sticks out in my mind is the male lead about to hose down the female lead and the male she's sitting with. lol

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Love this

Ένα από τα καλύτερα δράματα που έχω δει!! Οι ηθοποιοί, η ιστορία, τα τραγούδια και όλα γενικά από το δράμα ήταν τέλεια!! Δεν θα μπορούσα να σκεφτώ καλύτερο σενάριο και καλύτερο τέλος από αυτό που υπάρχει!!!!
Τα τραγούδια ήταν απλά ΦΑΝΤΑΣΤΙΚΆ!!!!!
Οι δεύτεροι ρόλοι ήταν επίσης φανταστική και πάρα πολύ καλοί ηθοποιοί!! Ο τρόπος που έπαιζαν ήταν μαγευτικός και ευχάριστος!!!

Απλά το λάτρεψα!!!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
ΒΤW Όλοι υπέροχοι!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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I was mildly excited about this drama when I first heard about it, and it was thanks to Nam Ji Hyun if I was at all. After seeing her in Shopping King Louie I was really happy she had another main role.
After watching the first couple of episodes I knew I would love it until the end.
First of all the actors were amazing: I loved our main characters (Bong Hee and Ji Wook) because they were really wonderful and sweet and caring and overall such good people but I also got really attached to the supporting roles and I find them so so important and it would have definitely not been the same without them. Dong Ha (who plays the villain) is extraordinary and he really impressed me in all his scenes.
The plot was great. It had so so much and everything was linked. I know it kinda dragged in the middle and it was painful to watch (in a good way) but I never ever wanted to stop watching. It has never happened to me that I would look so much foward for just a trailer or a few stills, but there I was the whole time suffering.
The ost was really good, I still listen to the songs after a couple of weeks from the end and they all bring back such good memories.
I have re-watched all of the episodes multiple times already and I can't just part myself from it. I can't believe there won't be more episodes coming out.
If you haven't watched this drama yet, watch AT LEAST the first 4-6 episodes (they last like 35 minutes each) because the plot really kicks in and it gets so awesome.

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Boring and LONG

Gosh, I really wanted to like this drama because the lead actor I like in just about everything. Unfortunately, the main and supporting actors were not well paired in this drama and so the interactions completely lacked chemistry and the whole thing felt very bland. Even the color pallets of the costumes and sets were bland.

The story started off really solidly, I was excited for them all to start a law firm together and excited to see how things would play out. This happens very early in the series, so the majority of the series they are in their new shared office/living space. Unfortunately, the writers did not write anything interesting at all into the law firm arc. The cases were boring. The character interactions were contrived and didn't play well off each other at all. The supporting characters weren't well developed and relied heavily on boring overplayed tropes. The romance was boring as well. The courtroom scenes were all so uninspired and often non-sensical.

Basically it was like a good Kdrama with a good plot and ending...but that ending happened in like episode 3 and the rest of the drama was just watching people live out their ordinary lives. I mean they threw in some token plot twists, but it was all relatively banal and uninteresting.

The chemistry between the male and female leads was terrible. I've seen that male actor in many other shows and his chemistry is so incredible he often looks drunk with emotion. In this drama he looked like he was emotionally blunted on Prozac. The romance ended up being so listless that it was barely believable and only then when I really stretched logic. I don't know where the combination of actors went sour, but something was definitely off and it made most of the scenes awkward and void of emotion.

I would not watch this again. It was a SLOG to get through.

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