Extraordinary Attorney Woo
A heartwarming legal drama that feels like a gentle ocean current, carrying a brilliant, lonely whale through the complex ecosystem of human emotions and societal prejudices.
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Extraordinary Attorney Woo

이상한 변호사 우영우

"My name is Woo Young-woo, whether it is read straight or flipped. Kayak, deed, rotator, noon, racecar, Woo Young-woo."

29 June 2022 — 18 August 2022 South Korea 1 season 16 episode Ended ⭐ 8.5 (871)
Cast: Park Eun-bin, Kang Tae-oh, Joo Jong-hyuk, Jeon Bae-soo, Baek Ji-won
Drama
Neurodiversity and Social Prejudice Empathy and Human Connection Justice and Morality in Law Family and Identity

Extraordinary Attorney Woo - Characters & Cast

Character Analysis

Woo Young-woo

Park Eun-bin

Archetype: The Innocent Genius
Key Trait: Photographic memory and a unique, logical perspective

Motivation

Her primary motivation is to become a successful attorney and prove her worth in a world that consistently underestimates her. She is driven by a profound love for the law, which she sees as a system of clear rules and principles. As the series progresses, her motivation evolves from simply wanting to succeed to a desire to use her unique abilities to achieve true justice for her clients and understand the complex world of human emotions.

Character Arc

Woo Young-woo begins as a brilliant but socially isolated rookie lawyer, overwhelmed by the sensory and social demands of a large law firm. Initially, she doubts her ability to be a good lawyer because of her autism. Throughout the season, each case serves as a lesson in human emotion and ethical complexity. She learns to connect with clients, collaborate with colleagues, and navigate office politics. Her romantic relationship with Lee Jun-ho challenges her to understand and express her own feelings, while the revelation of her mother's identity forces her to confront issues of abandonment and self-worth. By the finale, she has not only proven herself a competent and valuable attorney but has also grown more confident in her identity, declaring she wants to be a lawyer who stands on the right side of justice. She moves from a state of anxious self-doubt to one of quiet self-assurance, building her own supportive community—her own "pod."

Lee Jun-ho

Kang Tae-oh

Archetype: The Patient Ally
Key Trait: Deeply empathetic and patient

Motivation

Initially motivated by kindness and curiosity, his motivation evolves into a deep-seated affection and admiration for Young-woo. He is driven by a desire to see her succeed and to be a source of safety and support in her life. He wants to bridge the gap between her world and his, not by changing her, but by learning her language and being a true partner in her journey.

Character Arc

Lee Jun-ho starts as a popular and kind-hearted member of the litigation support team. He is immediately intrigued by Young-woo's unique personality and is one of the first to see beyond her social awkwardness. His arc is one of learning and deepening patience. He actively seeks to understand Young-woo's world, listening to her talk about whales for hours and finding creative ways to help her with social challenges. He navigates the difficulties of being in a relationship with someone on the spectrum, facing judgment from his peers and his own moments of frustration. His journey is about moving from simple kindness to a profound, committed love that requires active effort, understanding, and a willingness to adapt, solidifying his role as her most steadfast supporter.

Jung Myeong-seok

Kang Ki-young

Archetype: The Mentor
Key Trait: Pragmatic but fair-minded

Motivation

His initial motivation is professional success and maintaining his high-status position at the firm. He is driven by efficiency and winning. Through his mentorship of Young-woo, his motivation shifts. He becomes driven by a desire to nurture her unique talent and to become a more compassionate and principled lawyer himself, eventually questioning the high-pressure career that has cost him his personal life.

Character Arc

Jung Myeong-seok begins as a skeptical, workaholic senior attorney who is initially reluctant to take on an autistic rookie. He doubts her ability to handle cases and interact with clients. However, his arc is a journey of unlearning his prejudices. As he witnesses Young-woo's brilliant legal insights time and again, his skepticism turns into deep respect and mentorship. Working with her forces him to re-evaluate his own life, his priorities, and what it truly means to be a good lawyer, moving beyond just winning cases to understanding the human stories behind them. He becomes a fierce protector and a father figure to Young-woo within the firm, fundamentally changed by her influence.

Choi Su-yeon

Ha Yoon-kyung

Archetype: The Frenemy turned Friend
Key Trait: Competitive yet inherently kind

Motivation

Su-yeon is motivated by a desire for professional recognition and to be seen as competent on her own merits, separate from her connection to Young-woo. She is also driven by an innate sense of fairness and kindness, which often puts her in conflict with her competitive side. Ultimately, her motivation becomes about being a good colleague and friend, realizing that supporting others does not diminish her own value.

Character Arc

Choi Su-yeon starts as Young-woo's law school classmate who carries a complicated mix of jealousy and concern for her. She appears competitive and sometimes frustrated by Young-woo, but consistently helps her in subtle ways. Her arc is about overcoming her own insecurities and fully embracing her supportive nature. The turning point is when Young-woo nicknames her "Spring Sunshine" for her warm, kind acts, which makes Su-yeon see herself through Young-woo's unfiltered, appreciative eyes. She evolves from a reluctant helper into one of Young-woo's most loyal friends and staunchest defenders in the office.

Cast

Park Eun-bin as Woo Young-woo
Kang Tae-oh as Lee Jun-ho
Joo Jong-hyuk as Kwon Min-woo
Jeon Bae-soo as Woo Gwang-ho
Baek Ji-won as Han Seon-young
Jin Kyung as Tae Su-mi
Joo Hyun-young as Dong Geu-ra-mi
Ha Yoon-kyung as Choi Su-yeon
Im Sung-jae as Kim Min-sik
Kang Ki-young as Jung Myeong-seok
Lee Doo-seok as Lee Jun-beom
Choi Dae-hoon as Jang Seung-jun
Lee Yoon-ji as Choi Ji-su
Oh Ji-yul as Woo Young-woo (young)
Jeong Gyu-su as Choi Han-su