K Drama Chat Weekly

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 14 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 Hyung-young as Dong Geu-ra-mi, Kang Ki-young as Jung Myung-seok, and Joo Jong-hyuk as Kwon Min-woo. We discuss: The songs we featured during the recap: Blue Night of Jeju Island (instrumental version) and Whale Is by Roh Young Sim. How this episode focuses more on the personal journeys of Woo Young-woo and Attorney Jung, rather than the legal case itself. The powerful contrast between the Hanbada legal team’s adversarial view of justice and the abbot’s serene, non-materialistic Buddhist philosophy. Attorney Jung’s emotional and physical crisis, as he reveals he has stage 3 stomach cancer, and what that diagnosis means. The heartbreaking breakup between Woo Young-woo and Lee Jun-ho, and her running away mid-conversation after receiving legal inspiration, leaving him devastated. T...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 13 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-ra-mi, Kang Ki-young as Jung Myung-seok, and Joo Jong-hyuk as Kwon Min-woo. We discuss: The songs featured during the recap: The Blue Night of Jeju Island by Park Eun-bin and Unanswered Questions by KOOW. The legal case centered around a 3,000 won admission fee to Hwangjisa Temple, and how it raises questions about cultural heritage law and public access. The real-life filming location of the fictional Hwangjisa Temple: Gwaneumsa Temple on Jeju Island, including its architecture, templestay program, and serene atmosphere. The blurred gwaebultaeng painting of Avalokiteśvara (Guanyin) and how it symbolizes the unseen spiritual essence in Korean Buddhist traditions. Attorney Jung’s health deterioration and emotional unravelling, including his poignant reflec...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 12 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 Geurami, Kang Ki-young as Jung Myung-seok, and Joo Jong-hyuk as Kwon Min-woo. We discuss: The songs featured during the recap: “One Two Three Young Woo” by Jo Byeong Hyeon and “H” by Roh Young Sim. The first is quirky, while the second is melancholy. The political and ethical complexity of Hanbada’s involvement in drafting a policy that led to mass layoffs of married women. The fierce and principled attorney Ryu Jae Sook, who champions women’s and labor rights, and who offers a thought-provoking contrast to Hanbada's corporate approach. The idea of generation names in Korean clans, and how these were used to explore the relationship between Judge Ryu Myeong Ha and Attorney Ryu Jae Sook. Attorney Jung’s jarring statement that attorneys are not meant to make th...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 11 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, Joo Hyun-young as Dong Geu-ra-mi, Kang Ki-young as Jung Myung-seok, and Joo Jong-hyuk as Kwon Min-woo. We discuss: The songs featured during the recap: Overture and Junho Being Brave (Let me be your hug chair) by Roh Young Sim The legal case about three gambling friends and a disputed lottery ticket—and the moral, ethical, and legal dilemmas it raises. Attorney Jung’s surprising soft side, as he takes on a questionable case swayed by a couple’s sob story and a broken heel. Article 103 of Korean civil law that states that contracts that violate social order are null and void. The twist when the plaintiff, Shin Il-su, asks about keeping lottery winnings in a divorce and how Korean law defines marital vs. non-marital property. Woo Young Woo's internal conflict about helping a clie...

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 10 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 we featured during the recap: “Young Woo’s Heart (Hard to Read Your Mind)” by Roh Young Shim and “Spring Love” by Jo Nam Wook. The complex legal and ethical dimensions of a quasi-rape case involving a woman with an intellectual disability and her romantic partner. How the case parallels Woo Young Woo’s own fears about her budding relationship with Lee Jun-ho. The difficult legal distinction between consent and coercion, especially when someone has cognitive disabilities. How the Korean legal system allows judges to overrule jury verdicts and what this means for justice. The tender but awkward growth of the romance between Woo Young Woo and Lee Jun-ho, culminating...