Netizens Praise “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” For Raising Awareness On Issues Of Gender Inequality In Korea

It also showcases the power of women who are united, not fighting!

Since it started airing, the K-Drama Extraordinary Attorney Woo has been gaining praise for several reasons. The story follows Woo Young Woo (Park Eun Bin), the first autistic attorney in Korea, and her journey through the hardships of life and her relationship with Lee Jun Ho (Kang Tae Oh).

Lee Jun Ho (Kang Tae Oh) and Woo Young Woo (Park Eun Bin) | Netflix

Over the past few episodes, the show has raised a spotlight on some serious issues within Korea. They recently gained praise after highlighting some of the issues with the Korean education system and pressures on children.

| Netflix
| Netflix
| Netflix

The recent episode was no different as they tackled the issues of gender and inequality in the workplace.

Hanbada is given the task of defending a boss accused of breaking the gender equality laws in Korea after revealing he wants to remove all the female employees during “Restructuring.” His words made the women feel like it was their duty to leave and allow their husbands to continue working.

The manager made the women guilty for not wanting to quit voluntarily | Netflix

One of the women who brought the issue up then explained to her husband that when she was pregnant, the company expected her to drop her family duties to return to work. Yet, when they needed an “Escape goat,” the women were expected to return to the traditional roles of a wife and mother.

| Netflix
| Netflix

The women who filed the claim are supported by attorney Ryu Jae Sook, who defends those in cases about gender, human, and labor rights. Despite losing cases, Ryu Jae Sook always takes on cases if she believes in the cause and will do everything to help, even protesting before the initial case hearing.

Attorney Ryu Jae Sook and the women fighting for their jobs protesting | Netflix

Throughout the case, it seemed as if every time Hanbada “won,” they lost as support increased for the women through their means of finding evidence against the claims, including the topic of infertility.

In the end, although the judge acknowledged the wrongdoing of the boss, they didn’t win the case. Yet, the women seemed happier than those at Hanbada when the case ended.

The women still seemed happy after losing the trial | Netflix
The Hanbada staff seemed less cheery even though they won | Netflix

For many, the women’s reactions showed the importance of the case on a larger scale and that it wasn’t just about money. It raised some positives about the idea of female empowerment and love for each other. Even when one of their colleagues spoke out against them for fear of her job after her husband’s illness, they still supported her.

The women still hugged their coworker who spoke out against them | Netflix
After the trial, the women on the opposing teams got together | Netflix

Even when they lost the trial, they didn’t see it as unworthy as they raised attention to the ongoing issue within Korean society.

| Netflix
| Netflix

Although some Koreans raised issues about the episode being “Anti-male” by showcasing the men as the enemies, international viewers couldn’t stop praising the approach to a sensitive topic.

For many netizens, not only did it highlight the issues in society, but it reinforced a message of women supporting and uplifting one another instead of the typical catfight drama.

Although there are laws in place to prevent discrimination against women in the workplace in Korea, through the Gender Equality Act, the traditional views on gender and sexuality in Korea are still prominent. Like in the show, many workplaces find loopholes to ensure they are not deemed as “breaking the law.” Yet, the show proved that Korea is far from the equal society so many citizens desire.

You can read more about Extraordinary Attorney Woo raising awareness of issues in Korea below.

Netizens Praise “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” For Highlighting The Issues Within The Korean Education System

Extraordinary Attorney Woo