Jang Na-ra's performance is pretty much carrying this entire drama, this is her best role in years and the story has clearly struck a chord with viewers.

Despite the heavy storylines i find it to be a suprisingly "easy" show to watch.

The case with that father was heartbreaking. His love for his son was inspiring and I felt so bad for him. I still don't understand why the mom wanted full custody, why not share. I guess ultimately she did allow him to see hm though, but what a mess.

Jae Hee, when she apologized to her mom, I felt so bad for her. Her father was incredibly irresponsible fooling around with Sa Ra. He is really reaping what he sowed. That being said he still seems to be a good father, so I hope the writer continues their nuanced take on divorce. Awful man.

As for Sa Ra, she too is getting her just desserts. I feel bad for the baby though, what a mess.

Thank you so much for the speedy recap! I've been dying to discuss these most recent episodes. Your insight into the screenwriter's background is very helpful.

These episodes had so many wonderful moments of sincere, emotional acting. I cried every time Choi Duk-moon was on the screen, pretty much, playing the devoted father. Jang Na-ra has also been amazing. I don't know how the character is meant to have persuaded all these people of her toughness when she looks so vulnerable. The young actress, Yu-na, playing Jae-hee has been amazing. All of the insights and brilliance that a 12 or 13 year old can show, she's nailing. I believe that this is a young kid, not a little grownup.

As Ji-sang looks worse and worse, I feel increasing pity for him and Sa-ra. They are so weak and there is so much for them to lose. His anger is obvious but the reason for it isn't. It is, as you say, a drama where we get to dig beneath the surface and see more motivations. The actors are definitely making the most of that! I love it.

So much of what we are seeing rings so true to me. While the laws in the US are different people are not. I could actually relate to much of these episodes from what I have seen in my professional experience. In a sense I have met all of these people, and it is always a mess. I have met both the selfish ones and the beautifully selfless ones like the father in episode 8. None of these characters is a stereotype- they all exist even if I have met them under different names.

It is small wonder indeed that this show is doing so well.

I have always loved Jang Nara but some of her shows have not been the best. This is probably her greatest performance. She should get a Daesang for this.

Both Eun-Kyung and Ji-Sang failed their daughter. Ji-Sang had the right to be disapointed in Eun-Kyung as a mother, but he should have divorced instead his lies hurt his family. Eun-Kyung was too absent to be a good mother and her efforts were at the beginning more to win against Ji-Sang than spending time with her daughter. Both could be good parents if they put their daughter first.

Ji-Sang reaction about Sa-ra's pregnancy was quite harsh. I understand he was angry but he's a doctor, he just had to take precautions.

Sa-Ra is selfish. She acts only if she can get something. Being a mother? She hurt Jae-Hee for her own happiness. She wants a baby to force Ji-Sang to stay with her, not really the baby itself, more the idea of it.

The cases always are so extrem... The dad's story was sad. But I was surprised, in Switzerland, the well-being of the child goes first. So the father could have kept a place in his son's life if it was the best for the child.

Then, the stupid mistress... I don't understand the wife who wants to stay with her husband. It's like to have 2 kids at home. Let him go with his mistress and ask for money instead.

My favorite scenes are Jang Nara and Nam Ji-Hyun's ones. They are really good in their role.

I watched 5-9 this weekend, and I'm so glad I caught up! I love Jang Nara's growth as a mother. She mentions at one point that divorce makes some parents better parents, and she seems to be doing this herself. While at first the daughter was being treated as a pawn, I'm so glad the show ended up showing that the daughter deserves to be the one most cared for in this situation.

I also never thought Jang Nara was cold. She is experienced. When women are confident and experienced and give advice, they are sometimes labeled this when really they just are effective.

I also love how grounded Good Partner is as it dealt with various divorce storylines. It did help a lot that the writer care so much for the characters despite how messy divorce can be she managed to pull at the audience heartstrings.
The dad fighting for custody of his son whom he raised for years only to be bamboozled with his ex-wife's treachery must be my fave storyline so far. The child's best interest should always come first and I am glad that storyline reached a satisfying conclusion.

Thank you @quirkycase for the fast recap. So true about the writer, she has impressed me thus far for weaving the case of the week to match the forward movement of our main characters.

As a product of separated parents, the voiceover of NJH about forgiveness was gold, was crying that time. Then the breakfast omelette scene, so simple yet so powerful for mother & daughter, wahhhh... Kudos to JNR & Yuna, for showing their love & restraint with the I'm sorry scene. I was thinking why they got Yuna to play this role which sometimes is an afterthought for dramas about separation, but now I know. She played a pivotal part in her mother's growth, she really is a mini Eun-Kyung!

Looking forward to the next episodes!

How about these two episodes! I sobbed my way through them 😭 They were beautifully executed and I just want to give the entire cast a a big hug.

They illuminated the saying/reality 'appearances are not everything'. Looking at Jisang and all his parenting 'actions', it can be easy to conclude he's a 'good' dad but as the layers have been peeled back we see just how awful he's been and. I'm not sure you can be a terrible human and a good parent at the same time. That's a whole other level of fragmentation and inauthenticity that falls apart in the end. Exhibit A.

I was intrigued and moved by the way the story/writers let us into Jae hui's emotional world. For the first time I feel like I know her a little better and it turns out she adores, admires, respects and wants to protect her mom 😭🥰 I loved how that was revealed. It felt true to the characters.

That father-son case 😭😭 The apology theme 😭😭

This show is reminding me why I love kdramas.

I am just loving this one more with each episode. So well made and the actors are top notch.

This week's episodes are so gooodddd, the writing, directing and acting are all top-notch, even the supporting and episodic cast, this show better get some awards.

- The case with the dad was heartbreaking, and profound because it really shows what divorce with children involved should be about - it's always the kids. it's not about the anger, blame or even the custody, but the kid's welfare should always come first. And I love that it was Woo Jin's case because he can relate the most.
- 2nd case and the parallels with Eun Kyung's own life, Jang Nara really is killing it here. The cases are so grounded they feel like real life, often life can be too messy and that's what draws viewers, there are so many parallels and moments that feel too real, what a great great show <3

- Jang Nara and Yuna (Jae Hee) got me wiping tears the entire episode. Jae Hee differentiates her mom's white lies that wanted to protect her and her dad's actual lies that are for his own benefit. Children are more perceptive than they're given credit for and I appreciated the insight into Jae Hee's feelings about the whole situation.

-Ji Sang remains an asshole and worse with Sara's pregnancy. I hope with coming episodes we get more insights with Ji sang and Sara. I need to know their motivations behind their actions, with this show, I'm not too worried about common sense.
-Nam ji hyun has been taking a backseat in this drama but the scene with Jang Nara in the tteokbokki place hit a chord.
-I find it telling that Ji Sang and Sara both took steps to initiate the affair but Eun Kyung and Woo Jin respected each other's boundaries so their relationship remains platonic. The contrast between the relationships and the directions it could've gone, I appreciate the show doesn't dumb it down for viewers and has these little moments.