Extraordinary Attorney Woo – How Attorney Woo Introduces Herself
Young Woo is an exceptional rookie attorney with an incredible memory and innovative thought processes, yet she struggles with social interactions due to Asperger Syndrome.
On her way to Hanbada law firm she imagines seeing a whale along her subway route, and when she arrives she meets up with her team.
1. She walks in.
Attorney woo is fortunate to be surrounded by an encouraging team at her law firm and romantic interest who encourages her to make decisions independently. Additionally, Choi Soo-yeon serves as both mentor and peer who, initially viewing Attorney Woo as competition has since warmed to her and now provides invaluable support.
However, those she comes into contact with in daily life often perceive her differently. Her style of communication can be challenging for others around her and often seen as being disengaged or distant; this is especially true among people with prejudice against people with disabilities. Her in-depth knowledge about whales may either serve her well in court cases or come back to haunt her later on.
2. She sits down.
Woo is an attorney who uses whales as a motif to express her inner thoughts. Her creative way of speaking and thinking makes her an endearing character who often wins over her audiences, though her dependence on routines and echolalia makes relationships with others challenging.
Work at a law firm forces her to confront various forms of ableism, from being shunned by her boss to mistreatment from colleagues. Yet, eventually she adapts and begins seeing herself like the “Narwhal of Lawyers”, fittingly enough titled as the title suggests.
3. She opens her mouth.
Although she was initially underestimated by her fellow lawyers, she quickly made herself known. Her innate wit shines through in each case she handles with an emphasis on whale analogies and unique behaviors like counting to three before entering any room or tightening her hands together as habits that set her apart as a lawyer.
At one point in time, she represented Hye-yeong who was accused of murdering her husband. According to the prosecution’s arguments, Hye-yeong is similar to an autistic brother she knows and could therefore seduce the defense witness during court proceedings.
Young-woo’s defense won over the judge, and she secured victory. Following the hearing, Hye-yeong’s mother became angry and told Young-woo not to use her disability to sympathize with others. Though Young-woo may be limited in expressing emotions through skinship or verbal communication, it is clear she cares deeply for each client she represents and strives to provide reliable legal assistance.
4. She smiles.
Though this case does not contribute directly to Extraordinary Attorney Woo, I found it one of my favorites because it revealed Young-woo’s true heart. While she wants to prove her skills as an attorney, Young-woo also strives to be a good wife and mother to Sang-hyeon; thus she adopted the nickname Spring Sunshine Soo-yeon – as it holds significant meaning to her.
Media portrayals of autism spectrum disorder tend to either glorify those living with it as socially awkward geniuses with savant-like abilities, or write them off entirely as flat characters that showcase some of the undesirable sides. Extraordinary Attorney Woo shows this condition with dignity while offering up an example for children living with ASD to emulate.
5. She looks them in the eye.
Attorney Woo is passionately committed to whales. From her room slippers and pictures adorned with images of these aquatic mammals to being an authority on rare whale facts – she knows all there is about these aquatic mammals!
At her new firm, she meets fellow junior attorney Choi Soo-yeon who initially perceived her as a rival but later came around and supported her career goals. Over time, they bond as they deal with difficult cases that test their abilities while showing that autism doesn’t impede on professional life.
Extraordinary Attorney Woo is an engrossing drama that provides a compelling perspective on autism, showing how those living with disabilities can overcome challenges and lead fulfilling lives despite extreme prejudice.
