Extraordinary Attorney Woo isn’t shy about confronting ableism in its many cases, yet also offers many poignant moments that pull at the heartstrings. One such case features an individual accused of mistreating a mentally handicapped girl.
Young-woo’s detailed approach to the case sheds new light on it, challenging westernized perceptions of autism while prompting one to question those who abuse handicapped people.
1. She’s a lawyer
One of the first things you learn about novice attorney Woo is her name – one of those palindromes which look the same when read straight or backwards. This phenomenon also plays into her work, since Korean dramas often exploit how words and numbers look when their pronunciation varies.
Hanbada is an activist lawyer, championing for those on the margins while taking cases that pit her against large corporations – her usual clients being them. Hanbada may initially face some resistance from colleagues; however, during her fifth case – which proves her worth.
Young Woo’s fascination with whales becomes an inescapable theme throughout the drama, as she tells tales about them to her colleagues and friends whenever she experiences an epiphany or epiphanies of insight or knowledge.
2. She’s a friend
She strives to provide excellent legal representation for her clients despite having autism, yet can become quite heated if someone criticizes or demeans her.
She frequently interjects during trials, frequently interrupting the judge and being highly perceptive of minute details like mispronunciations or round statistics. During one case she noticed that an autistic brother of the defense defendant is acting similarly as her own.
Whales (like the Narwhals in her office tank) are her specialty and she often uses whale analogies to explain client situations. Additionally, she has several habits she performs when entering new rooms such as counting to three before entering or tightening her hands together tightly in order to relax herself.
3. She’s a romantic interest
Young-woo, as an inexperienced lawyer, is consistently underestimated by those who perceive her as an eccentric caricature and think her disability will prevent her from making headway in her profession.
One case that truly tested her was when she defended a client who was accused of sexually abusing a mentally handicapped girl, causing her to question herself as an attorney and temporarily quit Hanbada.
Although she appears distant at times, it is clear that she truly cares for those she encounters and holds strong convictions regarding justice. While she cannot show physical affection through skinship or verbal communication, she still makes an effort to express her emotions and build genuine relationships with those around her. This makes her both a more compassionate attorney and loving partner.
4. She’s a nemesis
Attorney Woo faces numerous threats while trying to establish herself within her firm. In one such instance, she defends an intellectually challenged woman accused of killing her husband despite evidence pointing toward the contrary.
She manages to win this case thanks to the laws she memorized as a child – laws she learned while protecting a client with disabilities. The case serves as an illustration of how disabled individuals may often be misused and mistreated despite being highly capable of their work.
Attorney woo faces stiff competition at her firm from Choi Soo-yeon who initially saw her as an enemy but eventually warmed to her and began supporting her career goals. It is deeply satisfying to witness Attorney woo overcoming challenges and dedicating herself to her career goals with such dedication and persistence.
5. She’s a mentor
Mentored by senior attorney Jung Myung-seok, she has gained valuable litigation skills under his guidance. Additionally, Hanbada provides her with an empowering team – including romantic interest Lee Jun-ho who inspires strong emotions within her.
Her extensive knowledge of both whales and law enables her to be an effective legal strategist; however, her direct style often creates friction in court (such as her clashing with opposing counsel (i.e. the judge in Episode 6). This may either work to her benefit or prove detrimental depending on how it’s handled by opposing parties (i.e. the judge).
Choi Soo Yeon, another of Young-woo’s partners in law firm, initially saw her as a rival but eventually became one of his closest colleagues. She proved invaluable in teaching Young-woo that being an excellent lawyer means more than winning cases alone.
