Suspicious Partner

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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although it's predictable but it's so amusing , funny  ,delightful with lots of romance & friend ship
the beautiful thing  in this drama that the law cases in the back seats
or it is  related to the main roles so it  doesn't drag u away  from the main stories
for me this drama is the  type i do really love with fast event's & happy ending

SPOILER

what bothered me much that the story of the second leads didn't take it's place well
& i don't know how the misunderstanding come from  if they didn't  cheated him actually
they didn't explain  that part  they left it to our imagination & why  didn't  Choi Tae Joon Confess to   Ji Chang Wook  with the truth of what had happened really
 why he bears that his friend accused him with betrayal  ??
till the end i was waiting to tell us the truth about what had happened between choi tae & ji chang ex-gf

that's only the reason that made me give it 9.5 instead of full 10

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SNOOZE :(((((((((((

I LOVE Ji Chang Wook!! And I started watching it bc of him and the highish rating this drama received...

But, honestly - I really think the main lead and FML just DID NOT mesh AT ALL. Partially bc of her acting and partially bc I think the type of character she had to portray just didn't go well the character the main lead was!

Also, I did finish it through to give it a fair review - but I did skim through A LOT. Maybe bc it was an older drama but it was SUPER draggy and some parts were just simply *boring* and redundant.

The storyline itself was pretty interesting at first but it sort of fell off... It was going well and then suddenly it went off tangent for a few episodes (with some future-seeing dude) or idk... I think it was to tie in more in-depth feelings for the characters but... still feel like the story was weak.

I think it was OKAY watching it bc Ji Chang Wook was super handsome/adorable but def would not recommend wasting time for a re-watch.

If you want to finish through - you can keep it in the background - bc the story is pretty simple to follow through and don't need to pay attention to too much detail (it will all make sense in the end etc etc).

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The main couple has natural, comfortable chemistry that carries the whole drama

“Why I Still Can’t Get Over Suspicious Partner 😭💖”
Their chemistry feels so natural that you forget they’re acting!
I swear every scene between them feels warm, cute, and effortless.
They make even the smallest interactions feel romantic.
Their energy together is addictive — I can’t stop smiling watching them.
Their playful banter and emotional scenes are so believable.
JCW and NJH just click — it feels so genuine and sweet.
They make every moment look like a real relationship.
“Still Thinking About Their Scenes Together…”
The tension, the sweetness, the eye contact — everything is perfect.
“This Drama Proves Casting Is Everything.”
These two actors fit each other so well it enhances the whole story.
Highly Recommend for Rom-Com Lovers!”
Their connection is fun, natural, and full of heart — you’ll fall for them.

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“This drama is a sweet rom-com with a light mystery element—fun and heartwarming.”

Suspicious Partner is one of those dramas that stays with you long after you finish it. It blends romance, comedy, and mystery in such a comfortable and satisfying way that you never feel overwhelmed by the crime plot, nor bored by the lighter moments. What makes the drama truly shine, though, is the incredible chemistry between Ji Chang-wook and Nam Ji-hyun. Their dynamic as Noh Ji-wook and Eun Bong-hee feels so natural that it almost doesn’t look like acting — it feels like two people slowly, sincerely falling for each other.

Ji Chang-wook brings a quiet warmth and emotional depth to Ji-wook, and Nam Ji-hyun’s bright, honest energy as Bong-hee complements him perfectly. They balance each other in a way that makes every scene — whether funny, awkward, or heartbreaking — feel authentic and beautifully connected. Their chemistry is not loud or forced; it grows gently, scene by scene, with soft glances, subtle tension, and genuinely sweet moments that make your heart flutter without even trying.

What’s special about this drama is how their relationship feels grounded in real trust and emotional support. You watch them comfort each other, tease each other, argue, and grow together — all in a way that feels sincere and relatable. Their banter is adorable, their emotional scenes are believable, and their romantic moments are effortlessly charming. It’s one of those pairings where you can’t imagine any other actors playing these roles because they fit each other so well.

Even with the crime storyline running in the background, the drama never loses its warmth. Instead, the heavier moments make the relationship stronger and more meaningful. By the end, you feel like you’ve watched a full, healing love story rather than just a rom-com.

Overall, Suspicious Partner is a drama carried by heart, character chemistry, and an unforgettable pairing. If you love romance that feels genuine, leads who truly connect, and a story that stays emotional without losing its fun, this drama is absolutely worth watching.

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This was precious, and everything is alright in the world. Granted, Suspicious Partner wasn’t a perfect show but it was a good one, particularly when it came to presenting well-rounded characters and their personal journey to become whoever they were meant to be. Let’s put the romance aside for a moment and concentrate on what this show really did right, which was giving each character their own personal story and life, apart from the main murder-mystery story and couple. It wasn’t all about one or two people, it was about all of them, which is why it was so easy to fall in love with each and every one of the characters the more you got to know them with each passing week.

We were introduced to Ji-wook as a grumpy, hard-ass prosecutor but soon found out he had vulnerabilities that ran deep into his past and soul. Ji-wook, though, wasn’t a wounded hero. He was a well adjusted young man, from a loving and caring family, with a flair for angry rants and soft spot for dirty but pretty leading ladies. He wasn’t perfect, he made mistakes -which I’m glad Bong-hee called him on it today- and learnt from them. At the end of the day, he was a better man that the one we met in the first episode.

Same goes for Bong-hee who from the first scene was shown as a badass, independent and courageous young woman but if you look deeper you could see she had insecurities about her personal and emotional life that she needed to overcome in order to become a more grounded person. Bong-hee never once disappointed me, even when I wanted to tell her to make up her mind quicker, because if she always did something right was to respect her own times and admit when she was wrong.

Ji-wook and Bong-hee are going into my TOP 5 list of Favourite Couples of all time. Their chemistry exploded in the screen ever since the subway pervert indirectly push them together (Where is that guy? I wish I could have seen him one las time!). Maybe it was fate that made their paths cross several times but ultimately it was their choice to stay in each other’s lives. They kept on choosing each other over and over again, even when everything was going to hell and they made some questionable decisions, they kept fighting for each other because of the love and friendship they shared. And if that’s not love, I don’t know what is.

All of this it’s really important to me to have in Dramaland because I don’t want perfect characters that don’t show improvement, a difference or understanding of who they are as people, between who when the show started and when the show ended.

The law firm shenanigans were one of the highlights of the show, of course, but then again every time more than two characters got together in the same place, you knew something good was going to happen. I love how at the end they just kept on running their business on Ji-wook’s house even after he and Chief Bang were long gone, back to the prosecutor office’s. Like it was a matter of fact that it was the place to be and grow for them. CEO Byun remains one of the best Dramaland Fathers, funny and caring, who in his own way wished only the best for his kids. Same goes for Chief Bang, the most extraordinary Ship Captain I have seen in years, he was the perfect Hyung for all the crazy lawyers.

I wish Yoo-jung could have been better explored, especially because it would have give her more redeeming qualities and I would have grow to understand her motivations better. To this day, Yoo-jung remains the woman who did a wrong and ran away, and didn’t properly apologize to either man. I do get she took her punishment quietly, in a way that because she had no other friends other than Eun-hyuk and Ji-wook, by going away she ostracized herself but in contrast and comparison to what Eun-hyuk went through to get his friend back, she falls short.

I spent a good portion of this show wishing for Eun-hyuk to be showered in love and I got what I wanted, just not how I thought it would look. I like the idea of Eun-hyuk and Yoo-jung starting over because they need to get to know each other as adults in order to figure out if they want to be in a relationship, especially her who had never seen him as a love interest before. But I thought the writer would break the Second Leads Get Together Law and actually make him realize he can do better with someone else *coughJi-haecough*

As I mentioned in a past review, I think Ji-hae was one of the better and most improved characters through out the show. Her growth is clear when instead of making a move on Eun-hyuk, knowing he’s with Yoo-jung, she makes the choice to try to move on from her feelings for him.

The frenemy-ship between Bong-hee and Ji-hae was another highlight for me, and every week I was looking forward to see what these two would do. I love that Bong-hee ended up living in Ji-hae’s apartment for a year and I wish I could have seen more of that living arrangement, the same way I would have love for the three girls to form a bond sooner so we could have gotten more drinking scenes of them, and their exasperated men picking them up. Pffft!

Of course I cannot possible end this without mentioning Hyun-soo. This writer has a knack for creating complex criminal characters in a way that you actually grow to care for, despite their actions. There wasn’t a moment in which I didn’t try to figure out Hyun-soo’s motivations or mind, what had happened in his life for him to become a serial killer. Or what had happened to that young girl he loved so much. The truth gutted me because even when I didn’t agree nor validated his actions, I understood in some level where he was coming from.

With such a compelling story and charismatic cast, Suspicious Partner it’s a show I will make sure to come back to again, and again. And again.

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I really enjoyed the loveline in this drama, as it was very cute and swoon-worthy.

JCW's makeup was too much, but I enjoyed staring at him in this drama all the same. NJH was an adorable main lead and the progression of their romance was believable.

As many reviews said, I agree that the beginning was strong and steam dropped off as the writing focuses on resolution rather than storytelling,

Watch this one for the romance and not for the crime-solving. Also there are frustrating one-dimensional characters in the supporting cast such as the chief prosecutor and the 3rd female lead.

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