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| ▲ This poster of kdrama series "Good Partner" is provided by SBS. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Aug. 26 (Yonhap) -- Divorce, infidelity, and courtroom battles—common themes in countless dramas. However, when infused with a dose of realism, they can create a standout hit. This is the case with SBS's drama "Good Partner," which has been rapidly gaining popularity.
"Good Partner" is a human courtroom drama that follows the professional and personal growth of two divorce lawyers with opposing personalities. The show has seen a steady rise in viewership, starting with a 7.2% rating for its first episode and surpassing 10% by its third. After a three-week break due to the Paris Olympics, the show returned with a 13.6% rating for its sixth episode, and the seventh episode jumped to 17.7%.
These ratings far surpass those of competing dramas in the same time slot, such as MBC's "Death to Snow White: Black Out" (4.6%), JTBC's "Family X Melo" (5.3%), and tvN's "Mom's Friend's Son" (6.0%).
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| ▲ This still photo of kdrama series "Good Partner" is provided by SBS. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
While the acting and direction are flawless, it’s the realistic script that truly sets this drama apart. The screenplay for "Good Partner" was written by Choi Yuna, a divorce lawyer with 13 years of experience. Choi first gained attention with her popular Instagram webtoon "Marriage Red," which attracted 160,000 followers. Her skilled storytelling brings to life the stories of various couples contemplating divorce, presented in a realistic and objective manner.
Rather than resorting to melodrama to evoke emotions, the show offers straightforward comfort with stories that only a seasoned divorce lawyer could tell. For instance, in the second episode, two couples who regularly go camping together become entangled in an affair. The guilty spouse offers the wife a settlement of 2 billion KRW in exchange for giving up custody of their children. New lawyer Han Yuri (played by Nam Ji-hyun) passionately objects, arguing that no amount of money can justify abandoning one’s children. However, veteran lawyer Cha Eun-kyung (played by Jang Na-ra) suggests that this might be the best choice for the children.
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| ▲ This still photo of kdrama series "Good Partner" is provided by SBS. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Cha Eun-kyung advises, "People who enjoy the fight lose their passion when the referee is gone. You're not losing the child; you're entrusting them. With regular visits, the child will naturally want to return to live with the mother."
The dynamic between the headstrong, empathetic rookie lawyer Han Yuri and the experienced, pragmatic star lawyer Cha Eun-kyung adds to the drama’s appeal. Their frequent clashes and eventual mutual growth give the show a buddy-cop feel.
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| ▲ This still photo of kdrama series "Good Partner" is provided by SBS. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Drama critic Yoon Seok-jin, a professor at Chungnam National University, notes, "Cha Eun-kyung and Han Yuri are like mirrors reflecting each other. Cha Eun-kyung gains self-awareness through Han Yuri, while Han Yuri learns the direction she should take as a lawyer by watching Cha Eun-kyung."
With eight of its 16 episodes aired, "Good Partner" has reached its halfway point. As viewership ratings surpass 20%, a rare achievement for terrestrial dramas today, all eyes are on whether "Good Partner" will continue to break records as the story unfolds.
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