Ji Chang Wook's Suspicious Partner and Beyond Evil get Japanese makeover: release date, cast, OTT, and more

Indian Express

27-04-2025

Two of the highest-rated K-dramas, Suspicious Partner and the Baeksang winner, Beyond Evil, are getting the Japanese remake treatment. The country, which has one of the largest K-drama viewing demographics, already boasts a range of shows that have been adapted, including Nevertheless, The World of the Married, Boys Over Flowers, Signal, and more. These latest remakes are expected not only to entertain Japanese audiences but also to expand the reach of K-dramas across Asia.
Suspicious Partner Japanese version release date
The 2017 legal K-drama, starring South Korea's A-lister Ji Chang Wook, initially pulled in a modest domestic viewership. However, its popularity soared after Netflix acquired the rights for international distribution, and since then, the show, with its 20-episode run, has become one of the all-time hits. It also stars Choi Tae Joon and Kwon Nara. The news of the Japanese remake was first confirmed by SBS on March 25. The story follows a prosecutor trainee who unexpectedly becomes a murder suspect, forcing her mentor to become her private attorney and protect her from chaebols trying to frame her.
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The Japanese remake will air not only in Japan but also across Asia, including South Korea, via Disney+. Written by Kwon Ki Young and directed by Park Seon Ho, the adaptation will premiere on April 29, starring Yusei Yagi and Kyoko Saito. In the original show, Ji Chang Wook and Nam Ji Hyun played a prosecutor and a rookie lawyer who fall in love while solving a crime mystery.
In a press statement, Yusei Yagi said, 'I feel honoured to play the role originally portrayed by Ji Chang Wook, whom I've known for a while. I never thought I'd have the chance to take on a character with such significance in the original series, and I feel a deep connection to the story.' Meanwhile, Keiko Saito emphasised that the Japanese version of Suspicious Partner will offer unexpected twists with plenty of romance and suspense. 'This series will be filled with unexpected developments and a mix of romance and suspense. Each character possesses unique traits that will keep viewers engaged from start to finish. I hope everyone will come to love the Japanese version of 'Suspicious Partner' as much as we do!'
Beyond Evil to get Japanese makeover
Released in 2021, the Korean psychological thriller Beyond Evil received seven Baeksang Award nominations and won three—Best Drama, Best Screenplay, and Best Actor for Shin Ha Kyun. On April 23, SLL, the company behind the series, confirmed that the show will be adapted into a Japanese version, set to air on their local broadcaster, WOWOW, in July. While the remake will retain the core story and key themes, it will be reworked to suit the Japanese culture. Japanese actors Ken Yasuda and Koshi Mizukami will take on the roles originally portrayed by Shin Ha Kyun and Yeo Jin Goo in the Korean version.
The story revolves around a series of crimes connected to a tragic case from 20 years ago, as two fearless detectives from the Manyang Police Substation relentlessly pursue a killer whose disturbing mindset forces them to break the rules. The drama explores heavy themes like morality, trauma, and what it truly means to be a 'monster.' As the investigation begins, the detectives begin second guessing everything, even doubting the innocence of those involved, including their own. Though it earned only average ratings in Korea, the series gained widespread critical praise and took home multiple prestigious awards. While not based on any real-life events, it's loosely inspired by the infamous Hwaseong serial murders in Korea.