12.1 - Podcast Review of Episode 1 of Extraordinary Attorney Woo

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Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 1 of Extraordinary Attorney Woo, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Park Eun Bin as Woo Young Woo, Kang Tae Oh as Lee Jun Ho, Ha Yoon Kyung as Choi Soo Yeon, Ju Hyun Young as Dong Geu Rami, Kang Ki Young as Jung Myung Seok, and Joo Jong Hyuk as Kwon Min Woo. We discuss:

• The songs featured during the recap: “Brave” by Kim Jong Wan and “Beyond My Dreams” by Sunwoo Jung-a. Kim Jong Wan is the lead of alternative rock band Nell; Sunwoo Jung-a is a prolific indie artist and producer in South Korea.
• The episode title in Korean, 이상한 변호사 우영우 (“Strange Attorney Woo Young Woo”), and how the English title "Extraordinary" reflects her character more positively.
• Woo Young Woo’s first words: quoting the Korean criminal code after her father is attacked, marking both her autism diagnosis and her path toward becoming a lawyer.
• The careful, touching portrayal of autism spectrum disorder through Woo Young Woo’s sensitivity to stimuli, love of order, and her difficulty reading emotions.
• Her father’s deep support, including the emotion-photo wall and her daily Woo Young Woo gimbap.
• The charming and gentle "meet cute" between Woo Young Woo and Lee Jun Ho at the revolving door and how this connection grows throughout the episode.
• Her love of whales as a comforting and symbolic presence, with whales appearing when she is inspired or stressed.
• The courtroom debut of Woo Young Woo—initially frozen, but ultimately brilliant in her defense of her childhood babysitter.
• Attorney Jung’s skepticism turning to respect as Woo Young Woo wins her first case with logic, persistence, and empathy.
• The mysterious visit by CEO Han to Woo Young Woo’s father late at night, hinting at a deeper backstory.
• The joyfully eccentric best friend Dong Geu Rami and her role in helping Woo Young Woo navigate life.

References

• Role of parental occupation in autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and severity
• Lancet MMR autism fraud - Wikipedia
• Gimbap - Wikipedia