Extraordinary Attorney Woo, starring Park Eunbin, released on Netflix in 2022. It is about a young woman who was diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Behaviour (ASB) as a child and grew up to pursue a career as a lawyer (Extraordinary Attorney Woo) 1.
For context, I have two younger brothers on the autism spectrum, aged 16 and 8. When this series came out, I was 15. While I thought it was a nice concept, I had no real interest in watching it. I use TV as a form of escapism, and watching a series about someone with ASB felt too close to home, as I was already experiencing something similar in my everyday life.
Fast-forward to 2026, and I’m now 19. The series kept appearing in my Netflix recommendations until I finally gave in and watched it. One episode in, I kid you not, I was in tears – not because it was sad, but because something about it resonated with me. Before watching, I had doubts about whether it would accurately represent people on the spectrum. However, in the very first episode, Woo receives an apology almost immediately after proving herself in the workplace. It didn’t take several episodes for the characters to recognise her intelligence, and I found that touching. But what struck me most personally was her fixation on whales. My youngest brother is fascinated by vacuum cleaners, especially Shark ones, and seeing Woo talk so passionately and uncontrollably about something she loves reminded me of him. It was a small detail, but one that made the series feel closer to home.
I also found it refreshing that this was a Korean series. From what I’ve seen of the Korean entertainment industry, particularly through K-pop, there is often an emphasis on perfection, from appearance to behaviour. This made Extraordinary Attorney Woo all the more touching to watch. This is a Korean drama placing an autistic woman as the main character of the story, allowing her to embrace her individuality, rather than forcing her to fit in. Moreover, it challenged some of my own expectations of what non-western entertainment could look like.
So many other moments in the show that I love because it feels accurately represented from my experience of looking after my brothers, especially the youngest. To hear that there’s going to be a Japanese adaptation of it (Extraordinary Attorney Minami)2 makes me so happy. I’d want everyone who underestimates those with neurodivergence to watch the show because they are people too and so much more than their diagnosis.
– REFERENCES –
- “Extraordinary Attorney Woo.” IMDb, 29 June 2022, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt20869502/. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.
- BOREDFROMTHEWORLD. Extraordinary Attorney Minami (2026) First Teaser | Ashida Mana | English Subs. YouTube, 20 Sept. 2026.
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