SBS’s hit legal drama Good Partner, which captivated viewers last year with peak ratings of 17.7% (Nielsen Korea), is officially moving ahead with Season 2 this time with major cast changes. Following the addition of actress Kim Hye-yoon, actor Park Hae-jin has also received an offer to join the upcoming season, raising anticipation for the drama’s return.
According to industry sources on December 2, Park Hae-jin is currently reviewing the proposal to star in Good Partner 2. His agency, Artist Company, confirmed, “Park Hae-jin is considering the offer.”
Season 1 of Good Partner followed top divorce lawyer Cha Eun-kyung (Jang Na-ra), who considers handling divorces her calling, and rookie attorney Han Yu-ri (Nam Ji-hyun), who faces divorce cases for the first time. The series earned strong praise and notable popularity, becoming one of SBS’s standout dramas of the year.
Jang Na-ra’s Grand Slam From Music to Acting Daesang
The drama also swept the 2023 SBS Drama Awards with the Best Teamwork Award. Jang Na-ra won the Grand Prize (Daesang), while Nam Ji-hyun earned the Best Actress Award in the Mini-series Human/Fantasy category. Kim Joon-han and Pyo Ji-hoon (P.O) also received excellence awards in their categories.
Jang Na-ra, who previously won top honors at KBS and MBC as a singer in 2002, became the first Korean entertainer to win both a major music award and a Grand Prize for acting.
In her acceptance speech, she shared, “It still doesn’t feel real. I seem to experience all the unbelievable moments in life at SBS. Just like the title, I was able to hold this trophy thanks to my good partners.” She also expressed deep affection for Nam Ji-hyun, saying, “She was a blessing both for the drama and for me.”
Lead Actress Change What Will Season 2 Look Like?
Nam Ji-hyun ultimately declined to return for Season 2 due to scheduling conflicts, despite ongoing discussions. In Season 1, her portrayal of Han Yu-ri the inexperienced but passionate rookie lawyer earned widespread praise, especially for her chemistry with Jang Na-ra. The duo’s partnership was one of the strongest factors behind viewers’ anticipation for a second season.
Nam Ji-hyun will instead appear next in To My Beloved Thief, premiering on KBS2 on January 3.
Kim Hye-yoon Steps In as a New Lead
Taking over Nam Ji-hyun’s place is Kim Hye-yoon, though details about her character remain under wraps. She is expected to play a new divorce lawyer who will work alongside Cha Eun-kyung, leading the story’s fresh emotional and legal dynamics.
Kim Hye-yoon debuted in 2013 and has steadily built a strong acting portfolio, including roles in Bad Guys, SKY Castle, Extraordinary You, and Lovely Runner. Her Baeksang Arts Award win for SKY Castle further cemented her reputation as one of the strongest actresses of her generation. Her casting boosts excitement for how her presence will reshape Season 2.
Park Hae-jin Eyes His First Drama in Two Years
If Park Hae-jin accepts the role, Good Partner 2 will mark his first return to drama since the 2023 SBS thriller The Killing Vote. It remains to be seen whether he will portray a character similar to the one played by Kim Joon-han in Season 1 or take on an entirely new role, heightening curiosity among fans.
Park Hae-jin, who debuted in 2006, has appeared in Bad Guys, Forest, Cheese in the Trap, My Daughter Seo-young, My Love from the Star, and Artificial Person. He also made a popular cameo last year in tvN’s Fresh off the Sea, where he showcased strong chemistry with Dex and Yum Jung-ah.
Good Partner 2 has officially entered production, with filming expected to begin in the first half of 2025. With fresh casting choices and strong momentum from Season 1’s success, fans are eagerly waiting to see how the series reinvents its legal and emotional storytelling in the new season.
Sources: TV Report
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