The global reach of K-dramas continues to expand!
“Suspicious Partner,” the beloved romantic legal thriller starring Ji Chang Wook and Nam Ji Hyun, has been confirmed for a Japanese remake.
On March 25, SBS revealed that the popular drama “Suspicious Partner” will be adapted into a Japanese version.
The Japanese remake of “Suspicious Partner” stars Yusei Yagi from FANTASTICS and Kyoko Saito, formerly of Hinatazaka46. Production is handled by C&I Entertainment, the team behind the Netflix series “First Love”.
The 2017 rom-com tells the story of Noh Ji Wook, a charming and intelligent prosecutor played by Ji Chang Wook, and Eun Bong Hee, a bright and determined lawyer played by Nam Ji Hyun. They team up to solve mysterious cases and unexpectedly fall in love.
It also starred Choi Tae Joon, Kwon Na Ra, Dong Ha, Kim Ye Won, and more. Director Park Seon Ho was at the helm while Kwon Ki Young penned the script.
The drama was a huge hit and reached a peak viewership rating of 10.5% nationwide. The on-screen chemistry between the leads, combined with the show’s thrilling plot, kept viewers hooked.
The drama also earned several awards, including the Excellence Acting Award for Nam Ji Hyun at the 2017 SBS Drama Awards, and the Best Kiss Award for Ji Chang Wook and Nam Ji Hyun at the 13th Soompi Awards.
The lead actors of the drama have gone on to become top Kdrama stars having worked in hit Kdrama after “Suspicious Partner”. Ji Chang Wook starred in “Melting Me Softly”, “If You Wish Upon Me”, “Gangnam B-Side”, and more.
On the other hand, Nam Ji Hyun rose to fame with her role in “Little Woman”, “Good Partner”, “The Witch’s Diner”, and more.
More recently, the 2021 popular Kdrama “Nevertheless” starring Han So Hee and Song Kang was remade in Japan. The Japanese version of “Wakatte Ite mo: The Shapes of Love” was released on Netflix and Abema in December last year.
Meanwhile, the Japanese remake of “Suspicious Partner” is set to premiere on April 29, airing on MBS and TBS in Japan, and will also be available on Disney+ across Asia. All eyes are on how the 2017 hit drama will be reimagined in Japan through this remake.
