Suspicious Partner Review: The K-drama That Balances Crime & Chemistry

Title: Suspicious Partner 

Episodes: 20

Genre: Crime, Romance, Comedy

Main Cast: Ji Chang-wook, Nam Ji-hyun, Choi Tae-joon, Kwon Nara 

Streaming Platform: Viki, Amazon Prime Video 

Image Credit: Wikipedia

What happens when a rookie lawyer and a genius prosecutor cross paths in a murder case? Suspicious Partner is a gripping legal-romantic K-drama filled with unexpected twists, witty banter, and heart-fluttering moments. It’s a story that balances crime-solving with emotional growth and sizzling chemistry.

“Suspicious Partner” is a South Korean television series aired on SBS from May 10, 2017, to July 13, 2017. Written by Kwon Ki-young and directed by Park Sun-ho, this romantic crime series is available to watch on Viki and other streaming platforms. 

Plot Summary 

Eun Bong-hee is a prosecutor trainee under Prosecutor Noh Ji-wook at the Sunho District Prosecutors' office. One day, Bong-hee finds her ex-boyfriend's dead body in her house and becomes a prime suspect in his murder. District attorney Jang Moo-young keeps blaming Bong-hee for his son's death, but Ji-wook ends up defending Bong-hee, despite losing his job and changing his profession to a private attorney.

Ji-wook starts a new law firm where he works with Bong-hee and Byun Young-hee, his adoptive father, as well as lawyer Bang Eun-ho. While working together, Bong-hee falls for Ji-wook, but Ji-wook distances himself from her due to his heartbreaking past experience. But eventually, he ends up falling for her.

Jung Hyun-soo, a victim accused of murder, asks Bong-hee to defend him as she has gone through a similar kind of incident. Bong-hee and Ji-wook start working on the case while they receive help from lawyer Ji Eun-hyuk, who used to be Ji-wook's best friend, but now Ji-wook hates him due to his affair with prosecutor Cha Yoo-jung, Ji-wook's ex-girlfriend.

While working on the case, Ji-wook and Bong-hee find out that Bong-hee's father might be an arsonist who caused the death of Ji-wook's parents. As both of them start distancing themselves from each other, Bong-hee believes that her father would never commit a crime and starts investigating the case to prove her father's innocence.

Meanwhile, after working for some time on Hyun-soo's case, Ji-wook and Bong-hee begin to question whether Hyun-soo is a victim or a culprit.

My Thoughts

The romantic storyline with legal drama is the most entertaining aspect of this show. The cinematography of the show blended both dark and bright vibes for a crime plot and an adorable romance, respectively.

The whole cast gave commendable acting performances, and special shout-outs to Ji Chang-wook and Nam Ji-hyun for portraying such charming characters. The on-screen chemistry between Ji-wook and Bong-hee, as well as Eun-hyuk and Yoo-jung, is SO good. Watching them together is a visual treat for the viewer's eyes.

Also, the comedic touch added by Ji-wook's law firm members will make you laugh out loud. Their every work meeting turns into a hilarious mess! My favorite scene is when Ji-wook gets jealous after seeing Eun-hyuk and Bong-hee happily chatting with each other, and he even sprays water on Eun-hyuk because of it. It was so funny!

The series perfectly incorporated romantic comedy with a legal plot, making it truly entertaining to watch. The investigation, evidence, alibi, and the whole court drama keep the audience on the edge of their seats.

The series presented the pros and cons of the law system and the importance of evidence and alibi. It also pointed out how people in higher positions abuse their power for their own benefit while framing the innocents and disrespecting the law.

The ending of the show was truly satisfying, where they caught the real culprits, depicting the victory of truth, and trust me, it's worth watching. 

If you're looking for a K-drama that blends mystery, humor, and heartfelt romance, Suspicious Partner delivers on all fronts. With a compelling plot and lovable leads, it keeps you hooked from start to finish. It’s smart, sweet, and just suspicious enough to keep you guessing.

What are your thoughts on Suspicious Partner? Let me know in the comments section below. 

Are you looking for rom-com dramas with a crime twist? Read the review of Strong Girl Bong-soon. 

My Rating: 9/10