Presentation
Korean Title: 이상한 변호사 우영우
Aired in: 2022 (16 episodes)
Channel: ENA
Grade: 10/10
Actors: Park Eun Bin & Kang Tae Oh
For More…
Park Eun Bin:
– Age of Youth
– Nothing to Lose
– Ghost Detective
– The King’s Affection
Kang Tae Oh:
– My First First Love
– The Tale of Nokdu
– Run On
– Doom at Your Service
Dramas with characters on the spectrum:
– Move to Heaven
– Good Doctor
– Psycho, But It’s Okay
– Innocent Witness (movie)
Analysis
Synopsis
Woo Young Woo is a young woman who has autism spectrum disorder. She is extremely smart, but lacks social skills. She starts working as an attorney at Hanbada law firm. There, she learns how to handle cases and people, while growing as a person.
My Opinion (No Spoiler)
I am in love with that drama. I can’t see a single flaw to it. The acting performance is just how it should be, the plot flows naturally and relationships are smooth. My favorite part revolves around the numerous interesting cases Hanbada ends up defending. All of them are connecting to specific sea animals for Woo Young Woo, allowing for a connection between her world and the real one.
Stories are heartwarming, you laugh and you cry. And there’s no way you won’t enjoy the romance and the overall narrative. No wonder Extraordinary Attorney Woo enabled ENA to gain recognition as a new channel to keep an eye on.
Highly recommended!
Analysis (Spoiler Alert)
Woo Young Woo’s blue ocean: Let’s start by mentioning Young Woo’s closest circle and her first steps towards expanding her horizons.
Her close family: Woo Young Woo (Park Eun Bin) is a young woman, who has autism spectrum disorder. This condition provides her with a unique way of thinking, but also impact her social skills. From the one side, Young Woo is a genius who can remember everything she reads. She can quote even the shortest sentence of the Constitution, allowing her to change the trials in her favor most of the time. Her extraordinary capacities make her a force to be reckoned with in the field.
On the other side, Young Woo lives in her own bubble. She doesn’t like people invading her personal space (like touching her), loud noises, people screaming, being aggressive, etc… This puts her into shock. Moreover, she likes things structured. Meaning that she goes through the exact same and repetitive process, like counting up to 4 to enter a room, organizing her favorite gimbap in her plate, etc…
Woo Young Woo lives with her father Woo Gwang Ho (Jeon Bae Su). He used to be a promising legal student, but eventually had to renounce his career to raise his daughter alone. At the beginning, he had no idea Young Woo had autism. Though he couldn’t put a name on it, he quickly realized something was off with her, as she was not uttering a single word.
After the diagnostic, he chose to dedicate his life to Young Woo, while putting his in parenthesis. Over the years, Gwang Ho has become his beloved daughter, as he couldn’t bear to see her suffer. But, he gradually understands throughout the drama that she is growing up and turning into a great woman. By the end, he eventually lets her fly away from the nest and spread her wings.
The daughter-father dynamic is heartwarming to say the least. It is clear from the very beginning that they both love each other very much, though Young Woo demonstrates her love differently. Gwang Ho takes it upon himself to support, rely on and trust his daughter in her decisions, like any parent would do (autism or not). I liked how both Young Woo also wishes for her father’s happiness. She is aware that he sacrificed a lot for her and is grateful for that. Now that she is an adult, she feels he can get a bit more freedom and think about himself more. That’s why Young Woo wants to move away by the end of the drama. She wants her independence, but also her father’s.
Dong Geurami: Apart from her father, Woo Young Woo can also rely on her best friend Dong Geurami (Joo Hyun Young). She is what I would call a pure soul. Geurami is not biased nor blinded by prejudice. She sees Young Woo for the kind, ethical and incredible person she is, and doesn’t care about her condition. On the contrary, Geurami treats her as equally as her boss Kim Min Sik (Im Sung Jae) for example. However, she can also be the strong warrior, if someone decides to bully Young Woo. It’s actually the reason why they met in the first place. Both were outcasts, but for different reasons. Geurami was the rebel and Young Woo the easy prey. They united, bringing either strength or brain to the other.
I really loved Dong Geurami. She is funny, supportive and quite carefree. She is Young Woo’s pillar and best ally. I guess their iconic greeting is just proof of that amazing friendship. It was hilarious by the way.
Adapting to a brand new world: The number 1 fan of whales may be different, but she doesn’t want it to be an obstacle to her life. Therefore, Young Woo works really hard to make it as a lawyer. It may not seem like it, but she shows courage throughout the entire drama. Indeed, what seems to be normal tasks for us (like taking the subway or going through revolving doors) is an enormous step outside of Young Woo’s comfort zone. She allows the unpredictable to enter her life every day, taking huge risks along the way. Fortunately, her efforts pay off. She manages to connect with her clients, secure her seat as a full-time lawyer, be respected in the field, create new friendships, find a boyfriend and, most important of all, be accepted beyond her autism.
When Young Woo starts her journey, the world is just a big blue ocean, full of uncertainty, unknown variables and unexpected events. Yet, she eventually overcome all her struggles and learns how to navigate unpredictable seas.
Hanbada: Let’s extend a little the circle now and talk about Young Woo’s new environment when she becomes a rookie lawyer.
Lee Jun Ho, the walking green flag: Lee Jun Ho (Kang Tae Oh) is the first colleague Young Woo meets. Right from the start, it’s obvious that Jun Ho is not prejudiced nor biased. He doesn’t see Young Woo as a burden or an annoying colleague. On the contrary, he is kind and comprehensive. He welcomes her with open arms in the team, while constantly trying to integrate her more to the group. Over time, Jun Ho develops an interest in Young Woo. Her passion for whales, her genius solutions for her clients, her innocence and her strong sense of justice attract him.
Though Jun Ho knows that dating Young Woo may turn out complicated, he doesn’t give up on her. Instead, he shows sincerity, patience and protection from criticisms (even coming from his own friends). He is willing to teach her how to row and how to navigate her boat. He is supportive and deeply in love.
To be honest, I don’t see a single flaw in Jun Ho’s character. He is always well-intended, helpful and generous. He doesn’t care about what others say, he’d rather follow his own heart. In the end, Young Woo becomes the most unsure in their relationship. She is aware of her difference and its potential impact on Jun Ho’s life. That’s why, she breaks up with him out of fear of making him suffer. Both reconcile by the end of the drama, proving that love is more powerful than difference. You just need to be sure you and your partner are on the same page.
Lee Jun Ho’s presence in Young Woo’s life is also crucial in the character’s development. Thanks to him, she is able to discover of a whole new world made up of complex relationships based on feelings, and not on thoughts. This bond allows the young woman to experience new horizons and extend her own knowledge of life.
Young Woo’s colleagues: Let’s start with Spring Sunshine Choi Su Yeon (Ha Yoon Kyung). Just like her nickname suggests it, Su Yeon is a kind and warm person, who’s always been nice to Young Woo. Though sometimes she pretends to be annoyed by her, it’s just a façade. Woo Young Woo knows it, hence the nickname Spring Sunshine.
Choi Su Yeon is upright and helpful, she acts as an intermediary between the Kwon Min Woo’s individualistic behavior and Woo Young Woo’s reckless moves. The rookie lawyer is very down-to-earth (like Min Woo), but also empathetic and fair (like Young Woo). Without her, there’s a high probability Young Woo would’ve had more difficulties fitting in this new environment, as Su Yeon is just another of her protectors at work. I put the link here to the scene in which Young Woo gives Su Yeon her beautiful nickname. It’s so heartwarming!
Opposite to the kind colleague, there is Tactician Kwon, Kwon Min Woo (Joo Jong Hyuk). This nickname perfectly matches his personality. He is individualistic and selfish. He is also jealous of Young Woo’s success as a lawyer, considering that her difference gives her an advantage. As she needs more attention and behaves like no one else, she can be reckless without being blamed for her actions. Of course, Min Woo forgets one crucial point in this reasoning: Adaptation and acceptation. Indeed, Young Woo is different, therefore she needs to work harder than anyone else to prove her worth. She has more struggles to overcome than any other rookie lawyer if she wants to keep her seat.
Despite all that, Kwon Min Woo starts turning a new leaf by the end of the drama. He learns that working in teams is key to success, and that he can’t walk on others to be on top. We get to see that he’s got a conscious after all and can be redeemed. Working alongside Su Yeon and Young Woo makes him adopt a new perspective on people, life, work and relationships, as well as make him grow as an adult. He even starts falling in love with Choi Su Yeon. Even when it comes to work, Min Woo demonstrates a shift in his behavior. Instead of antagonizing everyone’s decision, he supports his two female colleagues during trials; and even refuses to make Young Woo quit to secure himself a job. In a sentence, he decides to ‘try living like a fool‘.
The best mentor: Jung Myung Seok (Kang Ki Young) is probably the best mentor you can find. Behind his stern face, he actually is quite empathetic. His experience is reassuring, when it comes to dealing with certain cases. Yet, he is open to Young Woo’s new solutions. He can recognize talent when he sees it, and use it to its fullest. Though he is not convinced Young Woo has her place at Hanbada, she proves him wrong. So, he simply accepts her and encourages her to become even better at her job.
Myung Seok really made me think of a mother hen with her chicks. He’s there in case you need his help. He will guide you in the right direction to make sure you don’t get hurt. Yet, he lets you spread your wings and will protect you from the other chicks if he senses injustice. He is never mean, always wise.
I really loved the fact that Jung Myung Seok got his happy ending as well. I appreciated that we could see more of his life, career and love interest. It really gave more depth to his character.
Metaphor of the law firm: In Korean, ‘Han Bada‘ means ‘One Sea‘. That being said, the law firm is clearly a metaphor of the vast ocean that Young Woo is exploring. First, the rookie lawyer is around several new species in this new world (the law firm). Indeed, she meets other lawyers, new clients, some of them being ambitious, others kind, etc… Just like animals in the sea, people all live together, most of the time in harmony despite their differences.
Second, Hanbada can be understood as a symbol of unity. Once again, all characters may be unique, but they all thrive for the same goal: To defend their clients and win their cases. Hanbada lawyers are also working hard together (as a big team) to win against other big law firms during trials like Taesan.
Third, ‘One Sea’ is a good description of the vast ocean, its unknown parts and the many discoveries you can make during your journey. It’s exactly what happens to Young Woo when she joins Hanbada. She is in permanent contact with the unknown and experiences many situations that force her to be more into the world and out of her bubble.
Finally, the sea is generally associated with calm, serenity, relaxation, comfort. Just like Young Woo listens to whales to calm herself down, her team at Hanbada is present to bring her the same, but in real life and in the face of hardships.
Navigating the dark waters: Now, let’s finish with the discoveries that Young Woo makes along the way.
The cases: I don’t think I need to go too much into details for this point, but it’s clear that one of the strengths of the drama is its poignant cases. Each case is complex, requiring debate and tough decision-making. They tackle various themes such as greed, disability, injustice, inequality, education, discrimination, family love or hate, tradition, reputation; in a nutshell all relevant topics of today’s society. My personal favorites are: The incident of the wedding dress case; the North Korean defector case; the autistic brother case and the spear phishing case.
Although these stories are tricky and difficult to defend, Young Woo always manages to find a solution thanks to her great intellectual capacity. She succeeds in defending her clients, while staying true to herself, never compromising her ethics.
What I loved the most about this part of the plot is the fact that each client is associated with a sea animal. At the end of the drama, all of them are reunited around Young Woo, showing that each case is now a part of her and has played a role in her growing up.
The Great Unknown, Young Woo’s mother: As mentioned before, Young Woo was raised by her father. She doesn’t who her mother is, but has never communicated the need to meet her. She is content with her current life and doesn’t intend on reconnecting with her lost mother. But fate has decided otherwise. Indeed, it turns out that Young Woo’s mother is none other than the former CEO of Taesan Law Firm, as well as a candidate running for the Ministry of Justice. Throughout the episodes, viewers discover than Tae Su Mi (Jin Kyung) and Young Woo’s father, Gwang Ho, were both college students when they met. Su Mi came from wealth, while Gwang Ho was poor. This difference in social status didn’t prevent them from falling in love. But, matters got complicated when Su Mi found out she was pregnant. Though her family wanted her to have an abortion, Gwang Ho begged her not to and promised he’ll take care of the baby, never asking for her help. This is exactly what happens afterwards. Su Mi gives birth, abandons Young Woo and leaves for the US to pursue her studies/career. She never told anyone she was pregnant, and kept Young Woo’s existence a secret. Years later, she got married and gave birth to a son: Young Woo’s step-brother.
Though mother and daughter are unaware of the connection, they seem to click right from the start. Tae Su Mi is amazed by Young Woo’s genius and even wishes to scout her. Meanwhile, Young Woo admires and respects this woman, who is known to be a ruthless opponent in the field.
Upon hearing the truth about her biological mother, Young Woo chooses to have a heartfelt conversation with her by revealing who she is. She refuses the job offer at Taesan and insists she will remain by her father’s side.
When Su Mi discovers that Young Woo is her daughter, she is overwhelmed and surprised. But she also feels threatened and scared that this baby born out of wedlock might destroy her life’s hard-work. Indeed, she wants to become the next Minister of Justice. So, she schemes a little in the shadow to get Young Woo fired or have her quit and leave for the US by using Kwon Min Woo and Gwang Ho. She gives in at the end of the drama, choosing peace rather than conflict.
Swimming in a new sea: Interestingly, Young Woo and her mother are able to find some kind of truce when Choi Sang Hyeon (Choi Hyun Jin), Young Woo’s step-brother, gets involved in a hacking incident. Though born of different fathers and raised in different ways, the siblings share a lot of similarities. It’s touching to see their love for structure, their respective passion (whales or games), their genius in action, and also witness their many moments of loneliness. Both click perfectly well, and make us believe there’s a chance of reconciliation, at least between these 2.
Sang Hyeon genuinely appreciates his older sister and wants to get to know her. Meanwhile, Young Woo proves to be a protective ‘noona’ by confronting her own demons: the mother who abandoned her. She pleads in favor of her little brother, emphasizing the fact that Su Mi may have not been here for her when she was growing up, but she should be a good mother to Sang Hyeon. This is enough to convince Su Mi to lend her daughter and son a hand.
At the end of the drama, both Young Woo and Sang Hyeon are set to swim in a new sea: that of siblings.
Acting performance & direction: I believe we all agree on the fact that Park Eun Bin’s acting performance in that drama is right on spot. She plays a difficult and complex character, but never makes Young Woo laughable or ridiculous. She gave her a lot of depth and humanity, which was really appreciable. Kang Tae Oh, Jin Kyung, Kang Ki Young and all the others also made a perfect job at portraying the various personalities that revolve around Young Woo and support her daily.
As for the overall direction, I have to say that the whale scenes were probably my favorite parts. I loved seeing all of these animals floating above Seoul and accompanying Young Woo everywhere. I can’t imagine the budget spent on these visuals effects, but they are really worth the investment!
The ending: To me the ending is a perfect 10! Not only does it show that all characters can be redeemed (even Su Mi who abandoned Young Woo), but also that there is hope for Young Woo’s various relationships. The rookie lawyer has grown into a responsible adult, who is now able to make her own decisions. She made peace with a dark part of her past, she met new and interesting people (like her own step-brother), she has found love and is developing her spectrum of emotions. Indeed, in the last scene of the drama, she finally manages to pass the doors of the building on her own, proving she has learned a lot throughout her journey. The main feeling that comes out of this long process is ‘A sense of fulfillment‘. And gosh, do we feel the same, right?
Once Upon a Drama 