Meeeh.. had lots of potential
Eun Bin Did a fantastic job of acting and all other actors were pretty and cute. Giving it a low rating because I really don’t wish to learn legal mambo jumbo and whales/dolphins jumping out of water when attorney woo has a profound thought and found a legal loophole.Unless there is a season 2, this series let me annoyed with lots of side stories unanswered. I didn’t experience att. Woo’s growth at all. There was no transformation of main characters. Only person transformed were Kwon Min Woo & Jung Myung Seok, and that makes them the hero of the drama.
The evil witch Tae Soo Mi got away with nothing…
No romance/chemistry felt between Jun Ho and att. Woo.
The writers could have a written a very powerful and emotionally engaging drama by change in att. Woo and Jun Ho as a result of their attraction towards each other.
Att. Woo mother could come to her senses.. also att. Woo and her brother relationship could have been developed as well.
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This review may contain spoilers
Overhyped and underwhelming
This show started very promisingly but barely delivered anything by the end. Things were going well until around episode 11 and then went downhill with that weird trip to Jeju island and never recovered. Last two episodes were crammed with cases again and closure for the characters was rushed at breakneck speed.All in all:
1. FL's character development barely progressed both professionally and personally. There were dropped sub plots that she may become more independent from her father, start cooking for herself, maybe go to work to a law firm that is closer to her principles - all were dropped. In the end, writers still managed to fall into a stereotype trap and convey the wrong idea about autistic people. Irl not all of them are savants, not all of them are treated so nicely at work, not all of them are so cute and therefore well liked. In the end, it became just another tropey story about a genius "detective/lawyer/prosecutor" with a quirk.
2. Some characters like ML were not given any background or character development at all. Some characters, like Min Woo and Soo Yeon had their characters as if completely swapped with someone else. FL's dad barely did anything for the plot, FL's mom is still a bitch - no family relationship development whatsoever. Some characters like FL's friend and friend's boss were relegated to sad and dumb comic reliefs. All in all, side characters of this drama has got to be one of the most underdeveloped I've ever seen in a kdrama.
2. Law side of the drama was weak and amateurish. Irl cases are not won simply by remembering a clause from a law book or looking up precedents, irl everyone looks them up prior going to court. Other attorneys and even some judges here are made so exaggeratingly dumb compared to FL, just to show how smart she is, it's simply embarassing. Some cases weren't even worth going to court, their arguments were on the surface and could have been resolved with a simple legal consultation. A few cases raised some serious social issues but writers didn't have the balls to give their definitive opinion on them, leaving the justice of their verdicts up to the audience to mull over.
3. Romance was very weak. Yes, it's cutesy and fluffy, actors are handsome and professional. But ML basically is just a prop put in there to love FL and be conveniently perfect to care for her for some reason. Was it her looks, or constant whale talk that made him fall in love with her? Not much was talked about when they interacted with each other and it made this whole romance look superficial and not convincing. Their break-up was dumb af and dragged unnecessarily for 3 episodes too long. And barely any time was given to their reconciliation and next to none to their further relationship. ML wasn't even introduced to FL's father. This is not how you give a satisfying closure to a romance arc.
All in all just one big overhyped trainwreck. But hey, they still have a chance to fix all this in season 2! But I'm not holding my breath.
P.S. The only ones worthy of praise were the actors, they did a very admirable job, especially PEB. And production value of this kdrama is very good as well, props to the production team. But sadly even they couldn't pull off the impossible with this kind of script.
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10/10 from a non-fan of Kdramas
A white male nearing 50, married with children, is probably not the target audience of kdramas. But, I stumbled across this by death scrolling through Netflix desperately looking for anything to watch, and when I read that it was about an autistic lawyer I wanted to see if it was just another stereotypical portrayal of people sharing my condition. Yes… I’m on the spectrum, so I stuck around to see if I was being mocked. In short: quite the opposite.Now, I’m not some expert on autistic representations in media, but this is the first time that I’ve seen an autistic person portrayed as a real person with their own thoughts, hopes, dreams, and flaws. Not a one dimensional plot device, weirdo, object of pity, or some combination of these. Kudos to everyone involved in this production for their sensitive, respectful, and dignified treatment of this condition.
That out of the way, I genuinely love the show. While I have no other kdramas to compare it to, it’s easily better than 95% of what I’ve watched in the past 2 years (mostly American and British productions). The overall positivity reminds me of Ted Lasso, which is one of my all time favourite shows, and this is just as good. The acting, not just Park Eun-Bin, is fantastic. The characters are wonderful, even the very minor ones like Hairy Boss. The cinematography, and general production quality is superb. Absolutely top notch show, and it is inspiring me to look into more kdramas (what a gateway drug!)
Lastly, while I’m not really into romances, I’m a pretty sensitive guy whose in touch with his emotions, and so this show just hits me like a punch to the gut time, and time again. What an emotional experience. Many tears - joyful tears - shed. Sure, it’s manipulative, but damn do they do a good job of it.
Rewatching it now with my wife.
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interesting initially but not towards the end
initially, it was interesting as they touched on a sensitive topic, autism. i’m not sure if i could take the show seriously about autism based on what was shown.the initial plot was good, where they started with her fitting in into the company and some character development. but towards the end, it became quite anti-climatic and boring. it ended with a lot of question marks and felt quite absurd.
however, the actress, Park Eun Bin’s acting is really really good, the way she portrayed the character was amazing! i was able to relate to the character as she was affected by the words of others in regards to her love life… however, wondering if it was factual that people with autism would be that sensitive to the people around them as the character always say “i’m someone who lives in my own world and only think about myself” or something along the line.
overall, was a pretty good watch
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I enjoyed the cases that are closer to our daily lives than the usual law kdramas
While this drama (I think) is most popular being about the "genius autistic lawyer", what I liked most is how the story spreads beyond that. Being more of a workplace drama, as she gets closer to her coworkers and gets to know them better, we learn more about who they are. Cases are also interesting. They aren't the usual heavy cases with conspiracies and corruption. They are closer to day-to-day cases with people similar to those you know in life. This is what made the drama feel closer to the viewer.The drama has its ups and downs, but it did leave me with a smile on my face and a desire to watch more, without needing to binge-watch to get it over with. In short, a decent and relaxing watch. Most of the points of my ratings is for that reason
Now we do need to address the elephant (or in this case the whale) in the room, which is having a leading character that is officially on the autism spectrum. I can't, and neither do most viewers, tell to what degree the portrayal is accurate. I don't think you can tell even if you know or have someone in your family on the spectrum. That is because it is a spectrum, in addition to each person having their own personality and quirks even without being on the said spectrum. I can say though, I didn't get the whole whale show every time our leading lady figured something out to make her case, and neither did I appreciate it much.
The part I appreciated the least in this drama was romance. I actually wish it was written out. Kang Tae Oh does have a romantic look in his eyes and is generally pleasant to look at, and I'm not totally against the romance being there but it did happen way too soon. It felt uncomfortable, and didn’t make sense to me as to when the love actually happened. I would've liked to see the development of their friendship instead. The secondary couple made even less sense to me. It came suddenly out of nowhere. I just didn't feel it.
The part I enjoyed the most is the friendship and camaraderie portrayal. The dependence and trust Young Woo develops towards everyone's favourite (for good reasons) attorney Jung, the growing bond between her and Choi Soo Yeon, her relationship with her father, and so on.
Actually, her relationship with her father was actually is actually what the most stood out for me. The distance felt when having an autistic child at times, closeness beyond any at other times, the worrying about always being available for your child, and the loneliness of being a single parent, all felt too real. The portrayal by Jeon Bae Soo could hardly be matched. He rarely needed to express it, the look in his eyes and his mannerisms said it all.
Out of all the other actors, Joo Jong Hyuk as Kwon Min Woo stood out for me the most. His character didn't actually make sense to me at times, especially in the last couple of episodes, but the actor's performance added more consistency and realism to the character.
Another point I enjoyed is the portrayal of the dilemma that comes from being a lawyer. Yes, most cases did eventually find an ideal ending, but the potential damage that comes from doing their job isn't glossed over. And I liked that Young Woo wasn't there to be the paragon of virtue, her priority was that of any lawyer, to do her job well and serve her client.
The writing had strong points but was uneven at times. Strong performances from the actors, and good directing made up where writing was lacking.
The drama ended on a good note, giving it a satisfying ending while leaving us with a taste of potential in case there is a second season. If the second season does happen, I look most forward to seeing a growing relationship between the siblings (WITHOUT the stereotypic overused Rubik's cube - FYI It does NOT indicate genius!).
PS. Does anyone know the actor playing CEO In Cheol? He looked so manly to me no matter how much he cried and begged LOL I think I just developed a major crush on him XD
Any recommendation for this actor is welcome for me :D
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An Amazing and Much Needed Journey
As sad as I was to see Extraordinary Attorney Woo come to an end as exhilarated to have been a part of this beautiful drama's journey that was very personal to me, and knowing a second season is on the way makes me bubble over with excitement. I enjoyed everything about this drama, from the different case stories and practical solutions and wins to the subject matter presented to the different personalities we encountered throughout the journey -- each bringing something special.Without question, Park Eun Bin was beyond exemplary in this role. She deserves every award, as do her co-actors, and so does the drama. From the heartthrob Kang Tae Oh to Joo Hyun Young (Dong Geurami was one of my favorites) to Ha Yoon Kyung and Joo Jong Hyuk -- a real-life-like character that tries very hard at all the wrong things but isn't scared to admit his mistakes because it is never too late to do the right thing. But the one that touched me the most was Kang Ki Young as Jung Myung Seok.
But the one that touched me the most was Kang Ki Young as Jung Myung Seok. He won me over every time he came on screen -- a very special standing ovation to a fantastic actor. Kudos to the production staff but especially to the brilliant storyteller, director for bringing the story to life, and editor for the excellent choices, the animation/CGI, and cinematograph.
I love the message this excellent drama leaves me with: our choices and our past always have a way of catching up to us, no matter how hard we try to make them go away. Words are powerful. They can create, or they can destroy so choice them wisely. And just because someone is different doesn't make them weird, it makes them extra special. So treat others the same way you would like to be treated.
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This review may contain spoilers
II started watching this show because of the intriguing plot; I've seen too many shows where the ML is the smart one or has some extraordinary abilities, so to finally have a female as the smart lead, that too an autistic female character, I couldn't say no! To top it all off, my favorite actress, Park Eun Bin, took on the role! I wouldn't miss this show for the world. I will not comment much on how autism is portrayed in this show because I am not on the spectrum and it would be inappropriate for me to determine whether or not the portrayal of autism is accurate. Instead, I encourage viewers to read comments from our neurodivergent friends who have provided incredible insights on the show; I have learned a lot from them, and I would recommend that everyone read what they have to say. My review will mostly cover the other aspects, so here's a list of pros and cons (if you haven't started watching the show yet, perhaps this review will help!) Pros:
1) A very lovable female lead. It was heartwarming to see her journey as an attorney as she learned the realities, sorrows, and joys of life. If you only need one reason to watch this show, the female lead is it.
2) endearing side characters I liked geu-rami and chef hairy's dynamic, and I enjoyed how they guided Young Woo when she had questions about her job and her love life. Myeongseok and Su-yeon, the other side characters, were also likeable and played important roles in YW's development.
3) The romance was so sweet; I haven't seen such a wholesome romance like Jun Ho and Young Woo in a long time. They had great chemistry (eun bin and tae oh! what have you done to me!) and their interactions were heart-fluttering. I was happy to be the third wheel!
4) Fantastic cinematography and graphics! I loved the intro and episode intros, as well as Young Woo's eureka moments. It was a nice and original touch to show the whales whenever she made a breakthrough in a case. For me, it really elevated the entire show.
5) Many have said the legal cases were boring but I thoroughly enjoyed them. They felt realistic to me, and they left us with some important messages.
6) Sweet OST
7) A happy ending (whether or not it is satisfactory is debatable ahah)
Cons
1) Young woo's relationships, both with her father and with Jun Ho, lacked development. I wish we had seen more of her interacting with her father. I also wish certain scenes with Jun Ho hadn't been cut/ faded out because it left us confounded. I also wanted to see more of her relationship with Su Yeon, perhaps even flashbacks to how YW and SY were in law school.
2) A lack of character development for certain characters: I believe this is the first time a male lead has been barely developed. The thing is, I adore Jun Ho, and unlike other viewers who kept demanding to know why she liked her, I understood why he did from the start! That's just love, man. A lot of shows just throw in leads with no chemistry whatsoever together but that's not the case with YW and JH so I personally didn't see an issue with them getting together. But my issue is that we didn't get to see more of his family, where he previously worked or studied, why he lives with Min Woo and why he has such rude friends, and so on. The same can be said for the other characters; Min Wo's arc was too poorly executed. Tae su mi, hanbada ceo, and other characters were underdeveloped. even chef hairy!
3) use of kdrama cliches: as most viewers would say, the last few episodes completely deviated and used every cliche kdrama trope out there ahaha, and it became kinda makjang at some point as a result. MYS' illness didn't make sense to me, nor did Min Woo's 'redemption' arc, nor soo yeon suddenly being interested in min woo. Because of the use of these tropes, I believe the ending was rushed. We also didn't get to see much of YW with her half brother because the writers crammed in unnecessary plotlines. It was as if I were watching a different show. I am fine with these cliches/ tropes if they are executed well but I didn't like how they were used in this show.
That's all I have to say! I had more thoughts, but I can't put them into proper sentences right now haha! To sum up, I believe this show is worth watching. I was obsessed with it and told everyone I knew about it! If there is a season 2, I hope they delve deeper into YW's interpersonal relationships and perhaps even have her meet with a counselor (since it was mentioned). If there is a season 2, it will be interesting to see how the story develops. Please watch this show! Young Woo is an amazing character and I wish her all the best.
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Disappointing
I watched it because of Park Eun Bin (I lover her so much in King's affection)This drama started quiet interesting - so no wonder it got all those attention and early news of American remake.
However just like most kdramas that suddenly got too much praise... the drama started to get boring after episode 6 - either the writers got pressured from all the attention or they really didn't know how to continue later on.
In the latter part of the series it felt as if things became repetitive. So many plot holes that was ignored since the story started to focus on romance and side characters.
I dislike the romance for the main couple, we never get any background story about the ml and how he started to like fl, it honestly bothered me so much... because I feel like watching a fully grown adult grooming a child. It would've been better if they were just friends or the romance was properly executed.
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Promising, engaging and heartfelt. I can tell this kdrama is going to be perfect in every way.
I knew from the well-written synopsis and colourful poster, I was going to love this kdrama. As someone who is also on the spectrum and has siblings, and cousins, who have ASD, I've kind of always wanted to see myself and my family members reflected on the big screen. Extraordinary Attorney Woo has surpassed my expectations in the best way possible.Story:
The show focuses on themes such as law (in turn, judicial jargon) but does not restrict itself to the typical "criminal" aspect of the justice system as many shows do. Rather, we see a wide range of cases ranging from the extremely insightful uses of civil law and individual rights. Like many Western tv shows, Extraordinary Attorney Woo (EAO) has so far focused on 1 case per episode, while maintaining a perfect interpersonal relationship between the Main Character (Youngwoo) and her surroundings.
Youngwoo is amicably described in the first episode and sets out into the world. We are given a portion of her backstory that sufficiently contributes to her character and her personality as a whole. And as each episode progresses, her interactions with other characters also moves forward. The romantic interest(?) or at least, the first "friend" at Hanbada that Youngwoo makes, Joon Ho, is lovely, charming and patient. A perfect character to complement Youngwoo's troubles in socialising. This is hugely important because he even wants to apologise for misunderstandings and the discrimination that Youngwoo faces being autistic. Even minor characters receive character development and slowly change their perception positively. (However, there are a range of supporting characters that show different reactions to Youngwoo's behaviour. Some are indifferent, some make attempts to help, or ignore, and some are discriminatory. The wide range helps juxtapose how ostracised it can feel to be "different" and I think will strengthen the dynamics of the cast to stop it from being boring.)
The show deals with complicated and sensitive topics such as the harassment and discrimination that autistic people face every day, which I was so pleased to see. As ASD is a spectrum, everyone is different in their own way and EAO does this beautifully. There is also LGBTQIA+ representation, with a character from a case gaining psychological independence and coming out with her partner.
So far, EAO is bitingly comedic, dramatic and romantic all at once. Youngwoo's accidental humour comes from being blunt and straightforward, which warms our hearts. Interactions grow marginally romantic and always end with a smile on your face or laughter in your lungs. I am pleased that the show understands how to navigate comedy and romance well. It is truly captivating and you are never bored, not even for a second or two. However, after Episode 5 I will say that the show can also tackle serious topics beautifully as well, with ethical implications such as whether the law is the 'truth' or a 'weapon' to be used, being discussed, and how some people cannot move past Youngwoo's autism and see her for herself.
There is a 'side plot' brewing with small scenes at the end of each episode that allude to some sort of thrilling mystery set to unfold in the judicial world. I think this will likely give plot depth to some characters but I just hope it is executed well. Sometimes kdramas always feel the need to make things intense with thrill and mystery by the elongated episodes but EAO has been light-hearted yet hard-hitting when it needs to be. I think as the show progresses, it will be dealt with accordingly. So far, the first couple episodes have stolen my heart.
Acting:
I want to personally praise Park Eun Bin for the commitment to the role because so far she has done a remarkable job. As ASD is a spectrum I can't vouch for how accurate it is but I could see myself reflected in her mannerisms, as well as the small habits my sibling has like echolalia. No detail is overlooked and even the smallest actions are perfect, like Youngwoo fixing a chair to make it straight as she leaves a room even though she is not at the centre of the shot. It just blows my mind. Eun Bin has clearly practiced hard to make Youngwoo's character well-developed and not one-dimensional. She enhances the awkward expressions on others faces through the inability to look others in the eye, the staggered walking and the direct pace of Youngwoo's character as she goes about her life.
The chemistry between the characters is also off the charts. Kang Tae Oh has a small but kind smile that works perfectly in time with his lines and character. There is no strain or poorly worded lines at all. If anything, the show has some hard-hitting lines that truly resonate with you. A very compact and detailed script that gives a voice to all. It shows the true paradox of being in court, with who is the 'victim' and who is the perpetrator. Small actions are used to convey big thoughts consistently which make even the most minor of characters have some purpose and to not feel flat at all.
Many people with ASD tend to have a fixation or an enthusiastic love for a particular thing, person or place. Youngwoo's is whales. Eun Bin does this brilliantly with fast-paced, excited lines over whale facts and careful handling of Youngwoo's whale plushies and memorabilia. Now, this isn't ALWAYS a constant and I'm kind of glad for that because it now shows that Youngwoo must 'hold back' her personality and traits to conform to what others are saying, but knowing her and her amazing strengths, she'll fight back.
Other characters also appear well-developed and provide a range of supporting characters that can sufficiently make this drama interesting. Youngwoo's father discusses the hardships of raising an child with ASD, which I was happy about because it was sincere and showed how mentally draining being a caretaker can be. Most people are already stigmatised by autistic people and extend that disgust and discrimination to others who care for or interact with them.
Music:
Light-hearted, almost melodic. Often picks up the pace when Youngwoo has an epiphany. It plays on the up-beat and "moving forward" direction that Youngwoo's life leads. No song is out of place. Sometimes it is a little too loud for how soft it is meant to sound as background music but it generally follows a generic undertone.
Rewatch Value:
10/10. As you know, kdramas can be tediously long at times. However, due to the 1 case per episode nature of this show, as well as how the arcs are handled, EAO is a show you can rewatch whenever you want. It feels like a perfect pace and the nature of the main character Youngwoo means your attention is constantly grabbed.
Overall, I am so happy that this kdrama is doing so well so far. Thank you to the Director Yoo In Shuk for the visually pleasing, colourful and wonderful shots! The colour palette of the show being shades of blue like whales is also very unique and calming. It makes this kdrama one of those to binge in one sitting!
Hope this review helps :]
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Why fit in when you were born to stand out?
This drama was exactly what I needed.In my opinion, Atty Woo is the perfect example of how good writing can unfold beautifully on-screen.
This whole drama has taken audiences across the world by storm and we've all seen it's rise since it aired.
The main female lead became an attorney with something that caught peoples' attention anytime she introduced herself.
Autism.
I saw a few people even asking what exactly is autism?
Well, you see, Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is described as a “developmental disorder” because symptoms generally appear in the first two years of life.
There are sometimes main symptoms of autism, such as, not responding to their name, avoiding eye contact, not smiling when you smile at them, getting very upset if they do not like a certain taste, smell or sound, repetitive movements, such as flapping their hands, flicking their fingers or rocking their body and not talking as much as other children.
We get to see all these symptoms in this drama!
Park Eun Bin portrayed all of these traits in such an unique way which held all viewers' eyes' captured on her.
Many don't know that Eun Bin majored in psychology and journalism in Sogang University. Which brings us to the next sentence, she genuinely knows how to understand all of her characters well and tries her best to portray them in her best way possible without disrespecting any part of it.
We love an iconic, educated queen for that!
"To measure the success of our societies, we should examine how well those with different abilities, including persons with autism, are integrated as full and valued members."
-Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon
I genuinely don't have much to say for this drama except the best of it, I never saw any flaws in it, it kept me in my seat from beginning till end and I'll never complain about it. Such a comforting drama, honestly. With many emotional moments, cute moments, romantic moments and moments that can make your skin boil, yeah, I'm talking about you Attorney Kwon.
Overall a 10/10 from me. Can't wait to see more of this casts' projects and can't wait to support them throughout those new projects!
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It was good until it wasn’t :(
I would say first half was a good build up- interesting cases, interesting character development. Mid point it got a bit stale, and towards the end it was just lots of FF.The acting my Park Eun Bin is definitely praise worthy... I believe she studied the characteristics and portrayed very well a person with autism. So kudos to her!! Kang Tae Oh was dreamy up until the point where they broke up. When that happened, he seemed REAL CHILDISH and having tantrums lol.. idk.. he was just so pathetic about the whole situation.
Last few episodes the cases were boring, and all the unnecessary side plots like getting cancer, and the coworkers liking each other.. seemed like they just needed fillers. Give this one a go... but don’t expect too much. :)
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This review may contain spoilers
I've seen a lot of negative comments...
UPDATE AFTER I FINISHED WATCHING THE DRAMAI've changed the "story" rating from 8.5 to 9.5. I really like this drama and I like the development of all characters. But there is one thing I hate. The scene where Joon Ho drove away from the hospital where reporters wouldn't let Soo Yeon, Young Woo, and Min Woo pass. It was so out of the character. The character of Joon Ho that was created in other episodes would never have done that, even under the pressure from senior.
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AFTER WATCHING 8 EPISODES
Recently, I've seen a lot of people say they had high expectations for this drama but eventually got disappointed. This happened because Woo Young Woo with her autism spectrum is shown in a very stereotypical way. In the episodes I watched, the topic of diversity among people on the autism spectrum was mentioned only once when Young Woo as a lawyer was about to defend the boy on the spectrum.
To be honest I agree that Woo Young Woo is portrayed as a little infantile and to be seen as a cute person. And it is a very stereotypical way to show a person with an autism spectrum. There are people like Woo Young Woo and we need to understand it but it would be better if the drama focused more on the diversity of people on the spectrum. There are also people in whom it is impossible to notice at first glance that they have an autism spectrum.
However, I think that this is a huge step for Korean dramas and I hope we will see a more proper representation of people on the autism spectrum in the future.
Despite all this, I'm enjoying watching this drama. It has advantages, such as people with different responses to a person on the autism spectrum. The acting is really good. I also like the relations between Woo Young Woo and Joon Ho, Soo Yeon, and Geurami. The cases and the character's involvement in them are also interesting.
I believe that enjoying this drama is nothing wrong, but you have to bear in mind that some of the things shown in it are ableist and you shouldn't pretend that they are not. However, it is important to pay attention to it and not to duplicate these ableist things and stereotypes about people with autism.
A lot depends on how we as the audience perceive what was shown in the drama.
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