Suspicious Partner (2017)

The most lovable frustration in small doses

This series is a hot mess, but the one you actually enjoy watching. Let me explain.
Quick summary, Suspicious Partner is about young intern Eun Bong Hee, who just started working in a prosecutor’s office. Her boss, Noh Ji Wook is the type of guy that nobody likes professionally, but gets the job done. The problem arises when in a weird turn of events Bong Hee is accused of killing her ex boyfriend and prosecutor in charge of her case is Ji Wook. She manages to partially prove her innocence but now wants to find the true killer.

So first thing that I want to talk about is how weirdly the show is divided. Instead of standard 16 or 20 one hour long episodes, we have 40 30 minute long ones. That wouldn’t be a problem, I’ve already seen drama that has shorter episodes, but the thing is that it doesn’t work here. It just looks like the episodes were divided like that in post production and weren’t made to be like that. Sometimes episode just end abruptly without sense. Do you have in your country international series that commercial break were made for other format, and commercial just gets in the middle of the scene? Sometimes I felt exactly like the watching Suspicious Partner. Luckily I’ve just binge watched it, but still the credits showing out of nowhere were simply annoying sometimes.

Let’s talk plot then. Honestly there’s not much going on there. Mostly it’s just back and forth romance based on understatements and lack of communication and it’s incredibly annoying to watch characters break up only because they cannot talk about what’s bothering them. Main plot line, with murderer case that Bong Hee is pursuing is so thin that sometimes it’s just get’s abandoned all of a sudden, like nothing happened. And it’s a shame, because villain in this drama is one of the most interesting I’ve seen in a while. And I’d love if this motive was expanded a bit more, since it was so interesting, and I think that in terms of acting Dong Ha showed some amazing skills portraying Jung Hyun Soo.

For most of the time it looks like one of those dramas where characters think that other side doesn’t like them so they don’t admit to their feeling and it’s just vicious circle for like ten episodes till they finally find out that they love each other from the beginning. But in this case it’s not ten episodes, but almost forty. Every time it was close for the main couple to end up together weird event occurred and they’ve just managed to find reason not to date. That was a wild ride, honestly.

The thing that for me dragged the show down were all those cliches. We basically have everything here. There’s childhood trauma that shows in adult life of a character and it’s magically cured by presence of one particular person. We have a relationship that nobody wants to admit to. We have a whole pile of understatements and lack of communication that spoils everything and slows down the whole plot. There’s even a bit of amnesia. At that point I wasn’t sure if I really want to continue watching this show. But…

But the thing is, that beside all of those cliches and filler episodes the show for most part is just enjoyable to watch. If we don’t expect much out of it. If we don’t mind lacking plot and slow development of both action and characters, if we just admit to watch it for fun, this drama is actually not that bad after all.

In the end I’ve found it somehow cute and endearing, with lovable characters (like all of them, seriously). I’d just like for some plot parts to be more developed I missed some closure at the end and felt that some important motives were closed just too quickly. Like, how fast can you forget about psychotic murderer that was about to kill you? And of course, the fact that it took almost forty episodes for the main couple to get together was really infuriating. If those two acted their age, this drama would be ten episodes long. Which, obviously would be a great shame.

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This one has soooo much potential!

I had quite high expectations going into this drama and most of them were met. However, there are a few things that just took the joy out of the drama for me.

1) It was way too long. The series could have been completed and wrapped up nicely in 16 episodes rather than 20 episodes in which they really had to add in useless sub-storylines in order to make the characters' lives more stressful. They really tried to drag it out in the last few episodes.

2) The cheating aspect. Now maybe it's just me and my own personal opinions, but there are a few reasons I hated this aspect of the show. I didn't like how it was handled, the way in which the characters reacted to it, the way it was brushed to the side as if it was inconsequential and how everyone involved ended up being great friends at the end. For me, I don't think it added anything to the show and I don't think it was portrayed in a realistic way.

3) The discovery of the murderer and what came afterwards. When the series finished I just felt dissatisfied with this part of the story.


On the other hand, there are other parts of the show that I adored!

1) The natural development of the romance and how it wasn't rushed (however I felt like the FL became kinda annoyingly slow and wishy-washy towards the end)

2) The acting. Thumbs up to all the actors/tresses! <3

3) Ji Chang-Wook as the ML (Don't think I need to explain why)

4) The first 8 to 10 episodes were a joy to watch! They just hit the mark each time!

So Overall, give this drama a go. It is certainly worth watching, just don't take it too seriously. Also, don't feel bad if you skip/skim through the slower parts; it'll make it more enjoyable to watch :)

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Again i was not disappointed as i looked at ji chang wook drama...he is a really really really good good good actor...infact i rate him better than brad pitt so you can imagine...he needs to be awarded more though...He sings as well...i love to watch him sing....i can see he enjoys it thoroughly. I hate to see him cry though...he cries too real....nam ji hyun is great as well...she had me laughing so loud...the others actors were great as well...i cannot remember how many times i looked at this drama ... i am hoping ji chang wook finds a good woman and settle down before it is too late...life is so short for him not to date and get married...have kids...especially as he has no simblings...i am sure his mother want grand kids...lol

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Surprisingly, I found myself more emotionally invested in the murder plot than the ship. I'm not saying the ship wasn't cute, which it was—but it was also some back and forth wishy-washiness that kind of annoying after a while. I didn't really like how they kept keeping secrets from each other—this is always the most frustrating thing in dramas because you just know that realistically being honest would have made everything so much easier.

The actor for the murderer is honestly SO GOOD. That courthouse scene is one scene that I will definitely keep rewatching because of the small gestures and facial expressions, and just the raw emotion that comes across in that scene. Amazing. That guy deserves to be a main lead. Though I don't think I could ever see him as anything other than a murderer now because of this drama, haha.

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Feels like heaven UwU

I'm a huge fan of romantic and thriller and rom-com movies omo. When I saw the trailer of this I was totally hyped up and knew that I knew it I should watch this series! (of couse my first reason was Ji Chang Wook, (to whom not) uwu ) And I was totaalllly right!
From the first episode untill the last one! This series was love at first sight omg!
The series has fascinated me from the beginning. omg!
The main characters' and the support characters are just really perfect, I mean the actors are perfectly matched by the assigned cast.
For the first time I am big fan of to the ALL OF the cast, even the support roles too. OMG!!
The storyline was MORE better and better than I tought.
Here is another thing, can we tauk about the opening OST? *-*
In this OST here is all of the emotions, personally I always cry when I listening it.
I highly recommend you not only to watch this drama, but to check out the OST as well!
Overall, a lovely drama that surely became one of my favorites on the list! Very funny, interesting, tragic and romantic storyline what would leave you with many different (and of course unforgettable) emotions!
And at the last thing is what I want to say I just want to say thank you for the directors and to the cast and to the stuff, thank you for working hard ❤️
~ Rea

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It's sooooooooooooooo underrated!!!!!!!!!!

I mean it's been almost a year I watched this series and there are still few scenes that are crystal clear in my head and it makes me emotional!!

The plot is sooo interesting and fast paced..
It's crime thriller and a romance
The mystery is soooooo good and you will actually fall for the criminal!!

Plot:- The synopsis is so bad here!!! It's about a girl who is convicted of murdering her ex boyfriend because his dead body was found in her home..
There she faces her boss as a prosecutor who is supposed to prove her guilty
Will he prosecute her and win the case or would help her?
How would they find the real criminal!!!

I fell for the criminal and his back story and mystery is so we'll set
Every main character had a bad past and they are coping with them
You will love the office scenes it's soo comedic and light hearted I laughed soooooo loud!!
You also get clear view about advocates and their issue...

The romance was fine but could have been better You will love both of the leads they are so compatible!!
The kisses are steamiest!!!
The subplots are amazing and emotional
Give it a watch please I beg you I don't know why the ratings are not sooo well
I am not new into dramas..and this one of my favourite dramas..
Aaahhhhhh amazing!!!!

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This drama was on my radar for a long time as it comes from the same writer as Protect the Boss and also has Ji Chang Wook in it (swoon). But I think I had read some comments somewhere awhile back that made me hesitate. I’m so glad I decided to give it a chance anyway. I LOVED it!

While the overall serial killer arch wasn’t nearly as creepy as I Remember You (also by the same writer) there were some interesting twists I didn’t see coming and the plot still had enough suspension and tension to keep you pretty invested throughout.

This writer also has a knack for writing heartwarming second leads and supporting characters. I really did love the whole cast! Rather than filling in those spaces with the a-typical (for example) bitchy second female lead, the forlorn and depressing second guy, the rich overpowering and stubborn old man, and the evil, spoiled mother...these roles were instead filled with love-able people who might not have always been “good” necessarily, but you end up enjoying them more for all their flaws.

I ADORED Ji Eun-Hyuk and his never ending adoration for No Ji-Wook. He certainly did him wrong in the past, sure, but he lived his life every day trying to make up for it and their interactions together were just so hilarious and sweet.

Cha Yoo-Jung really grew on me as well. Even though she was positioned to be the cheating ex-girlfriend who comes back and tries to steal No Ji-Wook away..she was never really all that detestable. The writer managed to throw in enough humor and just “human moments” into her character that you can’t help but like her despite it all.

Same with Na Ji-Hae. She started out as a character I was worried that I would hate but both as an enemy and a friend to Eun Bong-Hee she became rather like-able in the end.

Eun Bong-Hee herself is probably the only character I really took issue with. While I liked her *most* of the time, she had moments that really put me off. I guess No Ji-Woo was just so damn perfect it was hard for her to match up to that. But still, there were a lot of situations where he was so understanding and reasonable while she just immaturely acted on her own under the shadow of “sacrificing herself for his sake” when really it was her just being selfish and cowardly.

I get her misgivings but while he was saying “okay, let’s think it through.” She wasn’t even willing to try. Ji-Wook didn’t take things at face value. He was always a voice of reason. But Bong-Hee always lost confidence, and this happened repeatedly...which was all the more frustrating because it was such a good opportunity for character growth and I don’t really think she ever really grew out of that tendency.

Having said that, even during the times she pissed me off the most, she was always quick to recover and make up for it...so I can’t really begrudge the drama too much for that. Overall it was really great, and I would highly recommend it!

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Give it a try

I am not a fond of rumantic drama.
But
This drama is amazing.
This is my 2nd Korean drama.
First was full house I liked it but I like Thai version most.
There is a huge gap between my first and the second drama.
After watching this drama I have become fan of Korean drama.
Korean dramas are really amazing.

Ji Chang is my favourite Korean actor along with Nam Ji.
Both look amazing, fabulous.

I hope they will work together in future also.
Both have done good work.

I like their chemistry

Even the side male actor has also done good

But the female side role has not done impressive work.

Even the villain has also done fabulous work..

Story is also nice.

I should say give it a try.

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This is the first drama I watched in the half an hour format, and I felt it contributed to the repetitiveness of the story. The plot itself didn't seem to have enough for 40/20 episodes, and because they were only half an hour long, you could expect a rewind in the beginning of each. There were also A LOT flashbacks. It took me nearly a month to finish this drama, when I can easily get through them within a week.

I am a big Ji Chang Wook fan, and I didn't know any of the other actors in this, but they're good. I felt like the main female lead was a bit annoying, in the sense that she became completely dependent on the male lead through most of the story (in a financial, emotional and career related way). The romance was weak to me. It started off strong, but it became almost meaningless as the story progressed... which, in a way, was actually good, because the conflict was dragged for so long it would have been maddening if I had been anxiously waiting for those two to be together.

The two second leads were very likable, too, and I look forward to seeing them in other projects. I also enjoyed the soundtrack very much - the main theme isn't for me, but the love ballads in this are very beautiful.

Overall, this wasn't a bad drama, it just didn't really hold my interest.

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I didn't love it like everyone else

I have seen A lot of Ji Chang Wook’s dramas, this would mark the 6th drama I have seen where he’s the main lead. I haven’t seen any other K drama Actor as much as I have of him and let’s just say, I didn’t like any of those dramas. I pick up Ji Chang Wook’s dramas because of the high ratings, but every time I watch his dramas, I am ALWAYS disappointed with the overhype.

I’m so glad he left his old talent agency and I hope he can find better dramas. I will admit, Healer was okay, but I even fast forwarded some parts.

Suspicious Partner is a classic, so had I known it was a 40 (half episode) / 20 (Full episode) drama, I am not sure I would have picked it up. There is ZERO reason why this drama was so long. Sure, there are some side cases here and there to take your mind off of the main story, but half of the time the side stories were uninteresting.

I do like Nam Ji Hyun in Little Women and 100 Day Prince, but I always felt like her acting was underwhelming. She has the tendency to look like she is reciting lines when it calls for non-emotional scenes. She can act well if she needs to convey emotions, but when she’s simply doing dialogue, it’s very monotone and robotic, which made me feel hardly chemistry between the leads.

I thought a lot of the drama on the show reflects the kind of drama that was popular at the time. Just a bunch of characters making poor choices and therefore must face the consequences of their actions. Why wouldn’t the FL sing “I’m going to kill you” song? I mean, it’s just setting up for her downfall right?

Overall, I can appreciate the drama for what it is, but to me, it was not a hit nor was it a classic in my opinion.

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Started strong but fizzled out

The first episode was an absolute hooker!!!

First episode:
It had amazing chemistry between the leads. It had funny moments and finally it ended with such a surprising twist which made me really want to watch the next episode.

Episode 2 onwards:
To my dismay, everything just fizzled out. No chemistry. No funny moments. Just a lot of cases. I have to say the cases were interesting but everything else was meh. The last episode was just filled with funny moments which would've been better if they spread out the funny moments throughout.

Still a good watch but not for the romance.

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