Good Partner (2024)

Good Partner (굿파트너) is a legal drama that follows the lives of divorce lawyers navigating both their professional and personal struggles. Cha Eun-kyung (played by Jang Na-ra) is a seasoned and sharp-witted attorney known for her unyielding dedication to her clients, while Han Yu-ri (played by Nam Ji-hyun) is a passionate rookie lawyer determined to prove herself. As they clash and collaborate on complex divorce cases, the drama explores themes of justice, relationships, and personal growth, revealing the fine line between legal battles and emotional turmoil. 

Ep. 9 - Comfort in a Plate of Tteokbokki

In Episode 9 of Good Partner, Han Yu-ri, determined to support Cha Eun-kyung during a difficult time, seeks advice from fellow lawyer Jung Woo-jin. Entering his office hesitantly, she asks for guidance on how to comfort their senior colleague. Without overcomplicating things, Jung Woo-jin offers simple but meaningful advice: “떡볶이 먹으면서 얘기 들어줘” (“Eat tteokbokki with her and just listen”). Taking his words to heart, Yu-ri later invites Eun-kyung out for a casual meal, where they sit together over plates of spicy tteokbokki. In this moment, food becomes more than just sustenance—it’s a bridge for connection, healing, and unspoken understanding.

Click here for 떡볶이 Recipe

떡볶이 (Tteokbokki) is one of Korea’s most beloved 분식 (bunsik - snack/street food), known for its chewy rice cakes simmered in a spicy, savory, and slightly sweet gochujang-based sauce. Found in street stalls, markets, and casual eateries, it’s a nostalgic comfort food enjoyed by people of all ages. Beyond its popularity as a quick and affordable meal, 떡볶이 holds cultural significance—many Koreans turn to spicy foods like 떡볶이 when they are stressed or need an emotional boost, as the heat provides both a physical release and a sense of catharsis. Whether shared among friends late at night or eaten alone as a moment of indulgence, 떡볶이 represents warmth, connection, and resilience in Korean food culture.

1. 떡 (Tteok) – "Rice Cake"

  • 떡 (tteok) refers to Korean rice cakes, which are made from glutinous or non-glutinous rice flour.
  • They come in various shapes and textures, but in 떡볶이, the rice cakes are typically chewy.

2. 볶이 (Bokki) – "Stir-fried" or "Pan-fried"

  • 볶이 (bokki) comes from the verb 볶다 (bokda), which means "to stir-fry" or "to sauté."
  • The -이 (-i) ending in 볶이 makes it a noun, indicating that the dish involves stir-frying.
In 떡볶이, the rice cakes (떡) used can be broadly categorized into two main types based on their primary ingredient: 쌀떡 (Ssal-tteok) and 밀떡 (Mil-tteok). 

쌀떡 is made from rice flour, giving it a dense, chewy texture and a slightly sweet, rich rice flavor. 밀떡, made from wheat flour, is softer, more elastic, and absorbs sauce more quickly, making it common in street-style tteokbokki. 

While 쌀떡 is preferred for its traditional chewiness, 밀떡 is loved for its lighter bite and better sauce absorption—choice depends on personal preference!

Variations:

  • 궁중떡볶이 (Gungjung Tteokbokki) – A royal court-style version made without spice, using soy sauce, vegetables, and beef.
  • 로제떡볶이 (Rose Tteokbokki) – A creamy, fusion-style version with a mix of gochujang and cream sauce.
  • 치즈떡볶이 (Cheese Tteokbokki) – Topped or mixed with melted cheese for a rich flavor.
  • 짜장떡볶이 (Jjajang Tteokbokki) – Made with black bean sauce instead of gochujang.


Korean expressions used in the scene:

1. 들어오세요.
  • Literal Translation: "Please come in."
  • Breakdown:
    • 들어오다 → "To come in" or "To enter."
    • -세요 → A polite ending used for requests and commands.
  • Meaning: This is a formal way of inviting someone to enter a room or space.

2. 차변호사님이 많이 감정적이신 거 같아요.
  • Literal Translation: "Attorney Cha seems very emotional."
  • Breakdown:
    • 차변호사님 → "Attorney Cha" (-님 is a respectful title).
    • 이 → Subject marker.
    • 많이 → "A lot" or "Very."
    • 감정적이신 → "Being emotional" (formal/honorific form of 감정적이다).
    • 거 같아요 → "Seems like" or "I think."
  • Meaning: The speaker is observing that Attorney Cha appears to be very emotional.

3. 평소와 좀 다르세요.
  • Literal Translation: "(She is) a bit different from usual."
  • Breakdown:
    • 평소 → "Usual" or "Normally."
    • 와 → "Compared to" or "With."
    • 좀 → "A little" or "Somewhat."
    • 다르세요 → "Different" (polite form of 다르다).
  • Meaning: The speaker notices that 차은경 변호사 is acting differently than she normally does.

4. 그게 뭔가요?
  • Literal Translation: "What is that?"
  • Breakdown:
    • 그게 → "That" (a contraction of 그것이).
    • 뭔가요? → "What is it?" (뭐 means "what," and -인가요? adds politeness).
  • Meaning: A formal way of asking what something is.

5. 알려주세요.
  • Literal Translation: "Please let me know."
  • Breakdown:
    • 알려주다 → "To inform" or "To let (someone) know."
    • -세요 → Polite request ending.
  • Meaning: A polite way to ask for information or an explanation.

6. 떡볶이 먹으면서 얘기 들어줘.

  • Literal Translation: "Eat tteokbokki while listening."
  • Breakdown:
    • 떡볶이 → "Tteokbokki" (spicy rice cakes).
    • 먹으면서 → "While eating" (-면서 means "while doing").
    • 얘기 → "Talk" or "Conversation."
    • 들어줘 → "Listen" (들어주다 means "to listen attentively," and -줘 makes it an informal request).
  • Meaning: A casual way of telling someone to listen while eating.

7. 일단 보류하자.
  • Literal Translation: "Let's put it on hold for now."
  • Breakdown:
    • 일단 → "For now" or "First."
    • 보류하다 → "To postpone" or "To put on hold."
    • -하자 → "Let's (do something)" (casual suggestion).
  • Meaning: Suggesting to temporarily pause or delay a decision.

8. 변호사님을 위한 최선의 방법을 항상 고민할게요.
  • Literal Translation: "I will always think about the best way to help you, Attorney."
  • Breakdown:
    • 변호사님을 → "Attorney" (as the object of the sentence).
    • 위한 → "For" or "In order to help."
    • 최선의 방법 → "The best way."
    • 을 → Object marker.
    • 항상 → "Always."
    • 고민할게요 → "I will think about it" (고민하다 means "to think deeply" or "to deliberate").
  • Meaning: The speaker is reassuring that she will always consider the best approach to support 차변호사.

9. 말씀하신대로 균형을 맞추기 위해서.
  • Literal Translation: "To maintain balance as you said."
  • Breakdown:
    • 말씀하신대로 → "As you said" (honorific of "to say").
    • 균형 → "Balance."
    • 을 → Object marker.
    • 맞추기 위해서 → "In order to maintain" (맞추다 means "to adjust" or "to fit").
  • Meaning: A respectful way to confirm agreement with 차변호사’s suggestion about maintaining balance.

10. 먹자.
  • Literal Translation: "Let's eat."
  • Breakdown:
    • 먹다 → "To eat."
    • -자 → Casual suggestion ("Let’s").
  • Meaning: A simple, friendly way to invite someone to eat (or start eating).

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