Amassing 77.4 million hours viewed on Netflix in a single week, “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” captured the world’s attention with its thoughtful portrayal of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. 

The K-Drama centers around Woo Young-woo (Park Eun-bin), Korea’s first lawyer on the autism spectrum, and follows her journey in and out of the courtroom. 

Woo is showered with success as a lawyer, yet frequently struggles to acclimate to societal norms.

While the show is set in South Korea, it has struck a chord with viewers all over the world as an amusing show with a deeper message about the reality of autism, including members of Bulldog Crew, a student-led organization that works to support their peers in special education.

“I think ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo’ did a great job at entertaining viewers,” Bulldog Crew activities director and junior Jonathan Kim said, “But at the same time, it showed what it’s like to experience the real world in the view of someone with special needs.” 

“Extraordinary Attorney Woo” has been critically acclaimed for its compelling narrative and plot. However, for many viewers, the driving force behind the show’s immense popularity is the simple charm presented by the various interactions the characters share.

“I found the show was filled with a lot of heartwarming and beautiful moments that you wouldn’t normally see, and I thought it was a good way to raise awareness for people specifically in Korea because there’s a very big social stigma around autism there,” Kim said. 

Here at Portola High, our special education community encompasses an integral part of our school. Although they may be perceived as “different” by some, these individuals hold concrete aspirations just like anyone else. 

Autism representation in the media is important for showing students that they can achieve their goals, according to special education department co-chair Melody Resendez.

“I think for a lot of our students, it’s the exposure; it’s just showing them that there are other people out there that have similar challenges, and it doesn’t hold them back, so they continue to pursue their dreams,” Resendez said.

Throughout the show, Woo’s abilities as a lawyer are severely underestimated due to stereotypes and barriers in communication. However, at every given opportunity, she showcases a profound interpretation of the law that cements her place as an invaluable asset to her peers.

Special education students are no different from Woo, as they each have something unique to offer. In order to support their fellow peers with autism, students can show initiative in various ways. 

“Keep every door open; don’t close any door to them. Don’t say that they can’t do something. Ask ‘how can I incorporate them?’” Resendez said.

Students who want to make a difference after watching “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” can consider joining Bulldog Crew as well as the unified sound, arts, sports and physical education programs. These are inclusive curricula designed to teach special education students the fundamental skills necessary for them to succeed in the real world.

“At Portola, we are really trying to have an inclusive environment and have activities where our students are interacting, they’re mixing, and they’re learning about one another,” Resendez said.

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