Criticism About Korean Drama Named Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Various perspectives on the dramas and story about the main character Woo Young-woo, who has autism
Reporter Kim Kyu-young
kyuyoung0409@naver.com
Recently, a famous Korean drama named 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' has divided a lot of opinions. This drama centers around the main character, named Woo Young-woo, who is diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. Many people scrutinized the main character Woo Young-woo's expression, appearance, and actions. So, there are many critical opinions about Extraordinary Attorney Woo.
It is fashionable for many people to copy Woo Young-woo's actions and facial expressions and post them on SNS. The act of eating 'Gimbap' vertically, and the act of tidying up before eating food are traits of a person who has autism. The actor Back Eun-bin, who played the character Woo Young- woo, researched the physical actions of those with autism. These actions and facial expressions are famous to many people on Instagram reels and YouTube shorts. One netizen said "I do not think people who have autism for real watch this drama for fun," "In reality, there are no smart people who have autism. That drama is too unrealistic." Furthermore, "To copy Woo Young-woo's actions is to make a laughing stock out of anyone who has autism." "Uploading such actions on SNS is wrong." On the other hand, some comments were less critical, "A drama is just a drama, people who copy Woo Young-woo's actions are not doing so with malice. They just love that drama. Copying famous dramas has always been a trend. I do not understand why people are so sensitive?" In fact, many Koreans also copied the actions of the main character 'Yoon cho-won' in the drama named 'Running Boy'. However, there was little criticism about those actions, whereas people have been very sensitive about the character Woo Young-woo and criticized others a lot. In addition, the parents of children who have autism have had negative opinions.
Based on this divide, a survey on people's opinions about the drama Extraordinary Attorney Woo was taken. Most answers to the first question were positive, "how did you feel after watch the drama Extraordinary Attorney Woo." People said "the drama material was both fun and fresh. I could relate to the characters because they were based on people around us. I was sad about the pain that they have to suffer." One person with a different point of view said, "I felt uncomfortable that the symptoms of autistic disorder were spruced up in such a cute and lovely way. I saw a video where people who have autism criticized the drama because it lacked consideration for them. Maybe, Woo Young-woo's father had many difficulties. It is a drama that makes me think a lot."
Most answers were negative about the second question, "what is your opinion of those who upload videos on SNS copying the main character's facial expressions, and actions." People responded, "It is wrong to upload videos on to SNS that ridicule others. That is too uncomfortable. I am opposed to uploading such things on a public space. It is the same as copying a crippled person, someone with a panic disorder, or a speech disorder. Even though people have personal freedom, we should avoid copying others excessively."
According to this, dramas can be interpreted in various ways. A drama is not a documentary program. On the positive side, Extraordinary Attorney Woo will give us a better idea of the mind and characteristics of a person with autism. Maybe, thanks to the drama, there will be more people in society like the characters Choi Su-yeon and Jung Myeong-seok who saw Woo Young-woo positively. We have to think one more time about people and it is important to look at it from a positive perspective.