The Extraordinary Attorney Woo - A Thoughtful Review of Trending Netflix K-Drama
By Shubhra Singh
Before I dive into the new Netflix show, “The Extraordinary Attorney Woo”, let me share a few words about K-dramas or Korean dramas. For a while, I had been hearing people in multiple circles rave about K-dramas and wondered what the fuss was about. Finally, last year, during a particularly difficult phase, I tried to distract myself through perhaps one of the most famous K-dramas of these times, “Crash Landing On You”, and was hooked! As I reflect upon why I like them so much, I realize that they depict human emotions, relationships and slice of life stories with a beauty and nuance that is unparalleled in other languages. Ever since I started watching them, I haven’t felt like watching the English or Hindi shows I used to watch before. K-drama invariably makes me feel good.
“The Extraordinary Attorney Woo” is a beautiful and gripping series about a savant girl with a very high IQ on the autism spectrum disorder who has the distinction of being the first autistic attorney of Korea. Attorney Woo Young-woo has been raised by a single father, who has poured his heart into helping her manage the challenges posed by her disorder. She graduates at the top of the law school at Seoul National University, and after being turned away by multiple law firms because of her condition, surprisingly gets hired by one of the top two law firms in Seoul. Her colleagues at the firm are initially skeptical, but as she demonstrates unique and out-of-the-box ways of handling legal cases, she wins them over with her sheer brilliance and straightforward and innocent mannerisms.
The series has not tried to sugarcoat the social challenges faced by people on the autism spectrum, but instead depicted them in a delicate and respectful manner. Each episode covers a new story, with different legal aspects and ethical considerations, keeping viewers gripped and entertained. Attorney Woo’s obsession with whales and other sea creatures is cute and refreshing.
This review would not be complete without mentioning Attorney Woo’s quirky and spirited friend, Dong Geu-ra-mi, who cheerleads her through it all. The romance with Junho is heartwarming and provides some light moments at the same time.
Overall, I think this is one of the best dramas of this year (in any language), and Park Eun-Bin’s acting is outstanding. The entire cast makes for a wholesome ensemble.This show will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you think without losing its light hearted streak. A must-watch.
Thank you Shubhra for sharing this thoughtful review! We are excited to have you in our global women’s network!
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