Over the years, K-dramas have often provided us with flawless female protagonists. So the journey of a brilliant attorney with Down’s syndrome, Woo Yeong-Woo (Park Eun-bin) as she conquers Kimbap and the hearts of the people around her, is quite a different ride. With a few more episodes to go, Extraordinary Attorney Woo is a must-watch if you’re looking for a K-drama that will keep you hooked.
Plot pot
Woo Yeong-Woo, a child with Down’s syndrome, whose father, Woo Gwang-ho (Jeon Bae Soo) is a lonesome single dad, has remained silent throughout her childhood until one day when she witnesses her father being beaten up by the landlord. She loses control of her emotions and yells out pages from her father’s law book to the surprise of everyone present.
To return to the present, we see that she has joined a law firm called Hanbada. There, she becomes close to Lee Junho (Kang Tae-oh), the charming lawyer who listens dewy-eyed to her whale stories; Choi Soo Yeon (Ha Yoon-Keong), the tough friend from her university who becomes one of her best friends and teaches her politics at Hanbada; and Jeong Myeon-syeok (Kang Ki-young), who guides her through all of the cases that she takes on at the firm. While her father is making Woo’s favourite dish, kimbap, for her to enjoy after work at his little shop, a series of comedic events occur at the Hanbada firm as the staff adjusts to Woo’s newly discovered charm and sincerity. Her best friend and a contrast to her character is Dong GeuRami (Joo Hyun Young) who always arrives to help her friend in trouble, whether it is trouble in romance or trouble in her office.
She gets a better understanding of the intricacies of the profession as she works through her first case, which incidentally involves the landlord who beat up her father at the beginning of the scene. She commits a few errors, but with the help of her “Woo moments”, in which she imagines whales swimming through the ocean, she can win the case and earn the company’s favour. People start accusing her of nepotism when they see her father leave the CEO’s room and while others plot to expose her in some manner, she comes to a crossroads with the law firm head of a rival company, Tae Sumi (JinKyeong), who plays an intricate part in her life that might forever change the course of her actions. As a result of Tae Sumi’s admiration for the young Woo’s skills and the accidental discovery that she defeated her in a case, she extends an invitation to the latter to become a member of the company. When Woo tells her father about it, he opens up to her about a family mystery hidden for years.
If you are looking for a K-drama that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster while also serving as motivation and inspiration, board Woo’s train of delight.
Trivia
Most of the cases in the series come from actual legal precedents. There are a few cases based on essays and books by Korean attorneys, such as Why I Defend Them by Attorney Shin Min-young and Master of the Courtroom by Attorney Shin Joo-young.
If you love this, watch:
Move to Heaven
Romance is a Bonus Book
Genre: Slice of Life
Where to watch: Netflix
You will love it if you love:
- Friendship goals
- Quirky female leads
- Office romance
The Telegraph Rating: 4.5
Characters We Treasure
Park Eun-bin as Attorney Woo Young-woo:
It’s impossible not to fall in love with Attorney Woo’s unique and brilliant demeanour, which makes the story a perfect slice of life.
We also loved her in: Hello My Twenties, The King’s Affection
Kang Tae-oh as Lee Jun-ho: Patient, understanding and undoubtedly charming, he is the ying to Woo’s yang as he supports her in need and always listens to her quirky tales.
We also loved him in: Forever Young, Second Twenties
Joo Hyun-young as Dong Geu-rami:
What does a quirky friend need? Another quirky friend. Dong and Woo two are peas in a pod with dating advice, parent problems and being there for each other.
We also loved her in: Call My Agent, Best Mistake
Kang Ki-young as Jeongmyeong-seok: With endless office dramas and rookies making mistakes, the patient, kind and the absolute righteous Jeong is always there for his juniors and guides them all along the way.
We also loved him in: The King’s Doctor, The Three Musketeers