Edited by Seo Hayne
Translated by Kim Hoyeun
“Spouses always find out about an affair; it’s just a matter of having solid evidence or not.” 17-year veteran divorce lawyer Cha Eun Kyung (Jang Na Ra) knows all there is to know about divorce. By merely looking at her clients as they walk in, she can tell who’s been unfaithful. Newly appointed lawyer Han Yu Ri (Nam Ji Hyun), assigned a daunting task of ’10 victories’ on her first day, wants to believe her client who claims innocence from infidelity. However, as time progresses, she senses something amiss, but nonetheless manages to successfully defend an unfaithful husband. Having a past of her family being ruined due to her father’s infidelity, this victory only leaves a bitter taste.
Yu Ri, a valedictorian of her law school who aced her interviews, never aimed to join the divorce team, and Eun Kyung, while popular, is notoriously quick-tempered to the extent that it’s tough for new recruits to work with her. Their first encounter was nothing but ordinary; during law school, Eun Kyung told Yu Ri, “That’s why you’re a law student, not a lawyer.” SBS’s new drama Good Partner traces the precarious journey of these two as they become “good partners” in a law firm. Yu Ri wants to move departments after gaining more experience in winning cases, while the busy Eun Kyung does not want to lose any more newcomers.
The involvement of top divorce attorney Choi Yu Na, who has personally handled over 1,000 divorce cases, ensures each episode presents realistic divorce scenarios. Particularly compelling are the storylines involving not just the division of assets post-divorce but also the emotionally charged decisions regarding child custody made by all the parties involved. The quick-witted and rapid-fire dialogue between characters is another highlight of the show. While legal dramas often focus on the protagonists’ ability to deliver jargon with precise diction, Good Partner thrives on portraying the heartfelt expressions and continually evolving values of its characters.
The seemingly perfect Eun Kyung faces a crisis just two episodes in. Yu Ri accidentally witnesses Eun Kyung’s husband, Kim Ji Sang (Ji Seung Hyun), who also serves as the firm’s medical advisor, cheating with Eun Kyung’s secretary, Choi Sa Ra (Han Jae Yi). While Yu Ri typically views divorce cases through her own beliefs and values, confronting her direct supervisor’s marital issues plunges her into deep contemplation. Knowing she is the sole witness to the affair, she eventually decides to inform Eun Kyung, but the response is unexpected: “I know. I know who it is too.” It’s unclear why Eun Kyung chooses to overlook the affair. Perhaps, as she once said, she wants “solid evidence.” It appears Eun Kyung still has a mountain to climb, but her approach to overcoming it might differ. As she once said, “The one who enjoys the fight loses passion the moment the referee is gone.” (8/10)
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Editor Seo Hayne: I like actors as they faithfully lead through their long running-time. I also like idols who accomplish everything on stage within 3 minutes.