Suspicious Partner puts a prosecutor and a prosecutor trainee in the same room, watches a killer pick them both as targets, and spends twenty episodes figuring out what those two have in common. The show stars Ji Chang-wook as Noh Ji-Wook, a man who switches from public prosecutor to private attorney after a murder case lands his new friend in the wrong place. Nam Ji-hyun plays Eun Bong-Hee, a former Taekwondo athlete turned prosecutor trainee who becomes the center of attention when a killer singles her out. The show ran on Seoul Broadcasting System from May 10 to July 13, 2017, airing at 22:00 on Wednesdays and Thursdays for twenty episodes.
Trailer, via Viu Philippines.
Noh Ji-Wook and Eun Bong-Hee
Noh Ji-Wook carries a wound from his childhood tied to his parents and his first love. Eun Bong-Hee’s past as a Taekwondo athlete colors how she moves through the case. Together they chase down a killer who has made both of them the focus of his hunt. The setup pairs a man moving between two worlds with a woman whose history keeps catching up with her.
Choi Tae-joon plays Ji Eun-Hyuk, Kwon Na-ra plays Cha Yoo-Jung, Dong Ha plays Jung Hyun-Soo, Kim Ye-won plays Na Ji-Hae, and Lee Duck-hwa plays Byeon Young-Hee. Jang Hyuk-jin, Nam Gi-ae, Yoon Bok-in, Cho Seung-yeon, Heo Joon-seok round out the cast around the central pair.
How the Two Performances Measure Up
| Performance | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| Ji Chang-wook as Noh Ji-Wook | Commanding presence, steady control | Limited range in quieter scenes |
| Nam Ji-hyun as Eun Bong-Hee | Physical intensity, grounded fear | Less developed backstory |
Ji Chang-wook anchors the show with a calm, steady performance that keeps Noh Ji-Wook’s world from falling apart. Nam Ji-hyun brings a raw edge to Eun Bong-Hee, playing the fear and the fight in equal measure.
What the Ratings Showed
The show drew modest audiences but found its footing against its competitor in certain groups. During some weeks, it beat its rival in the 20-49 demographic, streaming numbers, popularity charts and brand reputation rankings. Its competitor stayed ahead in overall ratings for its time slot.
Why It Works
The show earns its keep through a simple trick: it keeps the killer close enough to feel without showing him too soon. Noh Ji-Wook’s move from prosecutor to private attorney gives the show a chance to look at justice from two sides at once. Eun Bong-Hee’s fall from grace lets the show sit with loss and shame without losing its footing.
The case pulls the two leads back together, and the show finds room for both comedy and dread along the way. Suspicious Partner does not waste its time, and it knows exactly where to land each twist.
Where It Falls Short
The show’s biggest weakness is its length. Twenty episodes across ten weeks can stretch thin a story this size, and some middle episodes feel like filler rather than forward motion. The killer’s identity stays a secret for too long, and the show spends too much time circling the same question before it finally answers it.
Final Word
Suspicious Partner is a solid, steady crime drama built on two strong performances and a killer who refuses to stay quiet. It does not reinvent the wheel, but it does not need to. The chemistry between Noh Ji-Wook and Eun Bong-Hee carries the show, and the case holds enough weight to justify the wait.
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