Can Good Partner, which had been experiencing strong ratings, make a comeback after hitting a rough patch?
The SBS Friday-Saturday drama Good Partner, which premiered on August 12, started with a viewership rating of 7.8% and quickly gained popularity, achieving double-digit ratings within just three episodes.
However, the show faced a three-week hiatus due to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Before the break, the 7th episode achieved a viewership rating of 17.7%, making it the top-rated SBS Friday-Saturday drama of 2024. Despite the extended break, the drama resumed with a viewership of 14.6% and briefly rose to 17.2%, raising hopes for a 20% rating. Unfortunately, it has since plateaued in the 15% range.
The stagnation in ratings is attributed to increased competition from other dramas airing at the same time. MBC’s Snow White’s Death – Black Out and tvN’s Mom’s Friend’s Son, TV Chosun’s DNA Lover, and Channel A’s Cinderella at 2AM are all vying for viewers on Saturday and Sunday. While Cinderella at 2AM, which premiered on Coupang Play, has had a limited impact on ratings, Mom’s Friend’s Son, with its contrasting romantic plot, has emerged as a significant competitor, recording a 6.8% viewership rating.
Additionally, the depiction of the divorce story between Cha Eun-kyung (Jang Na-ra) and Kim Ji-sang (Ji Seung-hyun) has been criticized as somewhat dull, which may have failed to engage viewers.
Despite this, with the storyline now shifting to focus on the events at Daejung Law Firm, there is potential for renewed interest and dramatic developments.
If Good Partner manages to surpass a 20% viewership rating before its conclusion, it would be the first series to achieve this milestone since Taxi Driver 2 in April of the previous year.
With lead actress Jang Na-ra considered a strong candidate for the Grand Prize at the 2024 SBS Drama Awards, there is heightened interest in whether Good Partner can conclude on a high note and boost its chances for award recognition by crossing the 20% rating threshold.
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