Japanese remake of 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' to air in October

The highly successful South Korean drama 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' is getting a Japanese remake, scheduled to premiere in October. The new series, titled 'Minamida Minami is a Genius Lawyer,' will feature Mana Ashida in the lead role as a brilliant lawyer with autism spectrum disorder.

Netflix Japan announced the remake on its social media platform X (formerly Twitter), describing it as a heartwarming legal drama that follows the struggles and triumphs of Minamida Minami, a rookie lawyer with ASD. The drama will be broadcast on Japan's Fuji Television and the global streaming service Netflix starting October 19.

The original 2022 series, 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo,' captivated audiences in South Korea and abroad with its portrayal of Woo Young-woo, a lawyer with exceptional cognitive abilities and ASD. The show explored themes of discrimination, prejudice, and societal issues while weaving in a compelling legal narrative and a touching romance.

“

I loved the original work, so I was really surprised when I was offered the lead role. I read books about autism spectrum disorder and visited schools for people with developmental disabilities, meeting many people to broaden my understanding.

It achieved remarkable ratings in South Korea, soaring from an initial 0.9% to a peak of over 15%. Internationally, it topped Netflix's non-English language drama charts for three consecutive weeks, demonstrating its widespread appeal. The Japanese adaptation retains the protagonist's name change while adopting a similar title structure to the original, reflecting its success.

Mana Ashida, who gained recognition as a child actress in the Japanese drama 'Mother' and appeared in the Hollywood film 'Pacific Rim,' expressed her surprise and dedication to the role. She shared that she studied ASD extensively, including reading books and visiting facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities, to deepen her understanding and portray the character authentically. The remake is expected to feature familiar elements, such as Minamida's fondness for whales, a characteristic trait of the original protagonist.

“

I want to carefully read Minami's feelings and thoughts and act them out diligently.