Moni P Dragon

Interesting that in episode 1, the little girl, whilst in the car driving with her mom, comments on the fact that, "not all things that are meaningful are enjoyable." She then proceeds to talk about how there are children in AFRICA who are starving, and that to feed them is meaningful, but not enjoyable. The issue with this racist framing, is that there are starving children right there in HER country of South Korea, yet the writers of the show, defer to Africa when discussing issues of poverty. All they need to have done was to look within their own borders, and those of their sister country to the North. This is offensive as it affirms racist stereotypes that are not always true; there are many affluent individuals living in Africa, even if the wealth is, at times, more concentrated among the ruling class...there are also middle-class families who are doing well, but who are not usually discussed by legacy media. It would behoove the writers of the show to edit this particular line, and any other blatant biases. I have been enjoying the show up until now, but this line was SERIOUSLY PROBLEMATIC. And although I'm not African, this language and blatant bias was unexpected. Thus, I have to give the show a 2 so far - which is a shame bc K-Dramas far exceed any other filmography and tv shows that are produced here in the West. Do better.

Firstly, I cannot give Extraordinary Attorney Woo higher praise; it is by far one of the single best dramas that I have ever had the pleasure of watching. I am now totally turned onto Korean Dramas; I’d heard about them before, and never really looked into them, but now I’m hooked. The entire cast, cinematographers, and writers, deserve the highest approbation. There are so many things that I like about the show, especially the dynamic that each of the characters shares with one another, and the wisdom of the directors to have cast these specific actors; each of them apt for their unique roles. I could go on and on about all of the actors, but Eun-bin Park, takes the cake. Her portrayal of a person who experiences autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was brilliant in the first season, and I cannot wait to see her, and all of the actors return in season 2 - which can’t come fast enough. Eun-bin, is a master at exemplifying, "presumable," behaviours and characteristics of persons dealing with ASD. She is able to make facial expressions and convey mannerisms that are, evidently, common to some with ASD. What I especially liked about the show, is that the writers open-up our minds and hearts to those with ASD, and we develop, if not already, a compassion, and deeper understanding of what their experiences could be like. The show is brilliant in that it covers the various aspects of life that such persons face, and does not attempt to direct us into a place of denial. For example, Attorney Woo’s social, professional, academic, medical/cognitive, and romantic lives are explored. To the aforementioned, especially in the area of romance, the writers do not lead us to a place of fantasy and shield us from the challenges that such a person could face; instead they take us right into her world and expose us to all of her thoughts, and the complexities associated with trying to find love with those who are different than her, and represented as normal, in comparison; they even show the audience some intimacy and demystify the type of romance that such a person could and should have. I like that they show her facing all the same things that everyone else does, but with added layers of animus, confusion, pre-conceived notions, and general disrespect, on the part of those around her. She becomes stronger and more assertive as time progresses, and both her and the other characters experience an evolution that is displayed in their contemplation of how they want to be perceived, and what their real values are. Lastly, this show normalizes for us, a commonly stigmatized disorder that does not need to be thus. And, it ‘s a topic that would not, I don’t believe, be openly discussed in more conservative Asian cultures, in which honour is very highly upheld. As a member of the BIPOC community, who is Canadian, and has lived among many Asians, though I am not one myself, I could not be more delighted to see Asian representation in film/television, and a refusal to change Korean cultural practices so as to make more palatable the drama, for western audiences. I think due to colonization, there will always be an element of consideration for western audiences, and perhaps the seeking of approval, but this was not at the forefront as I watched this drama; I truly felt that I was transported to Korea as I took in all of the refinement and language and talent that is Korean. Thank you to each of you for your contribution to film…attorney Kwan, thank God you’re becoming more loyal lol. I highly recommend this show to anyone looking for excellence in film, entertainment, and a cerebral, yet light offering of Korean cinema and television.