Child Star of “Good Partner” Brings Audiences to Tears
13-year-old actress Yuna has captured hearts with her portrayal of a young girl grappling with the pain of her father’s infidelity and her family’s dissolution in the drama “Good Partner.” Renowned entertainment sites such as Osen, Nate, and Spotv News have praised Jeon Yuna’s performance in episode 11, calling it a powerful and emotional turning point in the series.
Yuna plays Jae Hee, the daughter of the “star lawyer” Cha Eun Kyung (portrayed by Jang Nara) and brilliant medical consultant Kim Ji Sang (played by Ji Seung Hyun). Jae Hee’s once joyful childhood slowly darkens as she witnesses her father’s affair and her mother’s obsession with work. The ongoing divorce trial between her parents leaves Jae Hee deeply scarred and withdrawn.
Through subtle expressions, poignant dialogue, and physical nuances, Yuna masterfully conveys the complex emotions of a middle school student facing an impossible choice: deciding whether to live with her mother or father after their divorce. Jae Hee’s internal monologue resonates deeply with viewers: “If I choose one, the other will be hurt, right? No matter who’s at fault, they are still my parents.”
In a heart-wrenching scene with her father, Jae Hee confronts him tearfully, lamenting his neglect of the family for the sake of his affair and reminiscing about the laughter-filled days of her childhood. During a healing trip with her mother, Jae Hee breaks down when her mother prevents her from contacting her father. Screenwriter Choi Yoo Na explains that despite her maturity, Jae Hee remains a fragile girl yearning for love and warmth from her father.
Director Kim Ga Ram has praised Yuna’s nuanced and profound acting, which has surprised both senior actors and the entire production crew. Even after the director called “cut,” Yuna continued to cry, struggling to step out of character. Co-stars Jang Nara and Ji Seung Hyun noted that filming scenes with their on-screen daughter went smoothly, with most shots being completed in a single take. Jang Nara believes that Yuna’s dedication, sensitivity, and natural talent will lead her to great success in the future.
Critic Park So Young from Osen expressed her admiration: “Please award Yuna a major prize, not just one for Best Young Actress.” Similarly, writer Kim Won Gyeom remarked that Yuna’s performance rivals that of seasoned veterans with decades of experience. Videos featuring Yuna have gone viral on Instagram and Facebook, drawing tens of thousands of positive comments.
“Good Partner,” a 16-episode series produced by SBS Korea, delves into the professional and personal lives of lawyer Cha Eun Kyung (Jang Nara) and her young associate Han Yu Ri (Nam Ji Hyun). The show explores the intricacies of divorce cases, shedding light on the hidden reasons behind marital breakdowns. The script also reveals the pain of the imperfect families of the two female lawyers, imparting valuable lessons on marriage.
The show’s viewership ratings have steadily climbed, starting at 7.8% for the first episode (aired on July 12) and reaching 15.5% by episode 10 (aired on August 30)—the highest in its time slot. Episode 12 is set to air on October 6.
