Reasons Divorce Lawyer Choi Yu-na Wrote Divorce Drama Good Partner

“Choi Yu-na, the writer of SBS’s Fri-Sat drama “Good Partner”, recently revealed that for the past five years, she has dedicated all her free time outside of her duties as a lawyer to writing dramas. She describes this passion as reminiscent of studying for the bar exam again.”

The drama “Good Partner”has gained immense popularity due to its portrayal of the struggles faced by divorce lawyers. This realistic representation is based on the real experiences of Choi Yu-na, a lawyer who specializes in divorce cases. Not only did the drama evoke empathy from its viewers, but it also kept them on the edge of their seats.

“Featuring the stories of Cha Eun-kyung (Jang Na-ra), a dedicated lawyer specializing in divorce cases, and Han Yu-ri (Nam Ji-hyun), a new lawyer who values her emotions above all else, “Good Partner”explores the dynamic between hot and cold personalities. The drama premiered on July 12th and began with a 7.8% viewership rating, which then surpassed 10% in its third episode. Its ratings continued to climb, reaching 13.7% and 12.1% in episodes 4 and 5, respectively.”

In addition to its high ratings, the drama also sparked numerous discussions and secured the top spot on the popularity charts for TV dramas released by Good Data. It also ranked highly on OTT platforms like Wavve and Netflix. Due to the 2024 Paris Olympics, three weeks of broadcasts for “Good Partner”had to be cancelled. During this break, writer Choi Yu-na shared various behind-the-scenes stories about the production of the drama.

Lawyer Choi Yu-na has expanded her works from creating webtoon stories to writing dramas.

Prior to writing drama scripts, Choi Yu-na had already demonstrated her writing abilities with her 2018 webtoon, “Marriage Red.”Drawing from her personal experiences as a lawyer and her daily life, the webtoon captured readers’ attention by delving into the complexities of divorce cases that had not been previously explored in dramas. As her writing repertoire expanded, she also ventured into dramas, such as “Good Partner,”which immerses viewers in the intense daily lives of divorce lawyers and the diverse perspectives of those going through a divorce.

After dedicating more than five years to the preparation of “Good Partner”, Choi Yu-na joyfully shared her delight at receiving positive feedback from viewers, stating, “This is the first time I have experienced this type of happiness. I believe the show resonates with people because of its realistic storytelling.”When asked about memorable reviews, Choi Yu-na highlighted some responses and comments, including “engaging and captivating”, “immersive and relatable”, “thank you for dispelling stereotypes and showcasing realistic situations”, and “revealing the secrets of divorce lawyers.”

Choi Yu-na revealed the opportunity that led her, a divorce lawyer, to become a drama writer. She shared that she was offered the chance to adapt the webtoon “Marriage Red”into a drama. She explained, “Just like the character Han Yu-ri in the drama, I also became a lawyer in my 20s and have dealt with numerous cases, which caused me to face a lot of confusion and conflicts. As I matured, I realized the importance of sharing my experiences with others.”

● What is the reason for the contrasting personalities of Jang Na-ra and Nam Ji-hyun’s characters?

During the creation of this drama, writer Choi Yu-na’s main goal was to portray “realistic dilemmas”.

In her statement, she expressed her desire for viewers to gain insight into the work of a divorce lawyer and witness the journey of individuals going through a divorce. She believed that this could potentially aid in discouraging thoughts of divorce. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of not hastily judging others’ lives and recognizing that our differences can lead to personal growth.

To achieve this, Choi Yu-na developed contrasting character traits for both Cha Eun-kyung and Han Yu-ri.

Despite both being strong and determined individuals, viewers were struck by the distinct differences between Cha Eun-kyung and Han Yu-ri. While Cha Eun-kyung is known for her logical and efficient approach, Han Yu-ri is driven by her emotions and a strong sense of justice, although she faces challenges in the real world.

The writer praised the actors’ performances and shared her admiration for Jang Na-ra’s acting. She also noted that Nam Ji-hyun portrayed the passionate Han Yu-ri perfectly.

The sixth episode of “Good Partner” is scheduled to be broadcasted on August 16th at 10 p.m.