Attorney Woo is a 27-year old lawyer with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  After passing law school with outstanding grades and acing the bar exam, she was turned down at every law firm she applied to.  Until an old friend of her father’s reached out with an offer from Hanbada Law Firm.  In the beginning, the new environment is challenging. Working together with her teammates, she will face plenty of struggles, but she will also make them stronger, with her amazing photographic memory and ability to think outside of the usual perspective.  And as they grow and learn together, they will find friendship and maybe even love.  

Kang Tae Oh as Lee Joon Ho

Lee Joon Ho works in the Litigation Department of Hanbada Law Firm.  His job involves supporting the legal team as they investigate their cases and gather evidence and materials.  When a new attorney shows up in the office, he is immediately drawn to her unusual charm.  After bonding over a love of whales, the two become work buddies.  But Joon Ho is surprised to find that his feelings are deepening into something much stronger.  And he understands that this is something that can’t be taken lightly.  Young Woo’s inexperience in romantic relationships and her self-admitted naivete in dealing with people need to be carefully considers before he can take a relationship with her any further.  

Lee Joon Ho is one of the most eligible bachelors at Hanbada.  His list of admirers is long, including Choi Soo Yeon.  And with good reason.  Joon Ho is thoughtful, charming, and hard-working.  Oh, Kang Tae Oh!  I think few fans  could say they didn’t fall for him, at least a little, in this role. He was incredibly sweet and kind.  I was already a fan, but this sealed my fate!  I loved that from the very beginning, Joon Ho treated Young Woo with the same respect he would any other co-worker.  He was patient and indulgent while others were frustrated and bored.  The quiet chemistry between him and Park Eun Bin made for plenty of heart-fluttering moments that always felt genuine and full of real affection.  

Jeon Bae Soo as Woo Gwang Ho

Woo Gwang Ho is Young Woo’s father.  He was in law school and set to become a successful attorney, before his girlfriend and classmate, Tae Soo Mi, gets pregnant.  Soo Mi was more interested in a career than starting a family, so Gwang Ho raised Young Woo alone.  Though it has been a difficult and, often, lonely road, he is devoted to Young Woo and her happiness.

 ♥ Law Cases

This drama did a nice job of showing various outcomes for their cases.  Rather than always being them defending the helpless victim and winning, there were times when they had to defend those who were obviously in the wrong.  This felt more realistic and gave the cases a bit of mystery that kept me invested.  Each case had twists and turns that went beyond what the audience may have originally thought.  

♥ Min Woo’s Redemption

There is no doubt that Min Woo is a creep at the beginning of this drama.  The things he does are selfish and cruel.  But sadly he feelings and opinions are not isolated.  He represents those who misunderstand ASD, which is why his story arc is so important.  As he gets to know Young Woo, especially through the eyes of his co-workers, he realizes that his attitude toward her was unfair and inappropriate.  And I am glad we got to take this journey with him.  Whatever our own biases may be, I’m sure we all have much to learn from his story.  

 Secondary Love Lines

There are plenty of open-ended storylines in this drama, most noticeably with the romances of all our supporting characters.  It may be that they are saving all of that for the already announced Season 2, coming in 2024.  But for now, I would have liked to see a bit more closure, even if it was only to tease what is to come.  These characters were all so fantastic that I just really care about how their relationships end up.  

 “Villain” Motivation

I understand that Han Seon Young doesn’t like Tae Soo Mi.  Maybe they just had a really strong rivalry back in law school.  But her intense hatred seems like more than just hard feelings.  I don’t feel like we ever get a clear picture as to why the two of them are sworn enemies.  I wondered if they were going to make it a love triangle between them and Gwang Ho.  There were plenty of hints that could be used to support that.  But instead, we are left with no real explanation as to where the bad blood started, or if it was at all justified.  

After announcing a second season, I am thankful that “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” didn’t leave us on a cliff hanger.  While certain stories lacked ful closure, at least we weren’t left with burning unanswered questions.  Most of this episode was spent on Young Woo’s younger brother’s trial.  In the end, he is able to testity and the case is dismissed.  Since Tae Soo Mi voluntarily steps down from her candidancy for Minister of Justice, Han Seon Young decides to keep Young Woo’s birth secret private.  In the midst of trial preparations, we get a very short scene where Joon Ho tells Young Woo she does make him happy and he doesn’t want to break up.  She agrees that they should get back together before quickly jumping out of the car and running off to do her business. It wasn’t the flashy declaration we may have expected, but it is totally Young Woo!  The gang gathers for a work party to celebrate their victory, and Myung Seok shows up with his ex-wife, so things seem to be going in the right direction for them.  In the final scene, Young Woo tells her dad that she has become a full time employee, before happily skipping off to work.  And for the first time, she navigates the revolving door with no problem.  Joon Ho is on the other side, and as we come full circle, Young Woo identifies a new emotion she is experiencing;  Accomplishment.  Cue the strings, until next season.