"Good Partner" is taking a pause in its ratings climb, raising the question of whether it can regain momentum.
The SBS drama, which premiered on August 12, started strong with a 7.8% viewership rating and quickly soared to double digits by its third episode, catching viewers' attention.
Before a three-week break for the 2024 Paris Olympics, episode 7 hit a 17.7% rating, making it the top-rated SBS Friday-Saturday drama of 2024.
After the break, the show maintained a solid presence with a 14.6% rating, rising again to 17.2%, sparking hopes of reaching 20%. However, ratings have since stabilized in the 15% range, suggesting a period of adjustment.
The lack of further rating growth is partly due to competition from other shows airing at the same time.
MBC’s “Black Out,” and tvN’s “Love Next Door,” TV Chosun’s “DNA Lover,” and Channel A’s “Cinderella at 2 AM” are also in the mix.
“Cinderella at 2 AM” on Coupang Play has had minimal impact, but “Love Next Door,” focusing on romance, has become a strong competitor with a 6.8% rating on Saturdays.
Additionally, the portrayal of the divorce story between Cha Eun Kyung (Jang Nara) and Kim Ji Sang (Ji Seung Hyun) might not have fully connected with viewers.
However, as the storyline shifts from the divorce to the inner workings of a major law firm, there’s hope for fresh and engaging plots that could draw viewers back.
If “Good Partner” hits a 20% rating before it wraps up, it will achieve this milestone for the first time since “Taxi Driver 2” ended in April of the previous year, marking a 1 year and 5 months gap.
With Jang Nara as the lead actress, who is considered a strong contender for the 2024 SBS Acting Awards, it will be interesting to see if "Good Partner" can surpass 20% and boost her chances for an award.
Source: [1]