The Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) recently hosted a captivating K-Drama Talk with acclaimed director Yoo In-Shik, the visionary behind the globally successful series ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo,’ on 4 December 2025 at 11 AM. The event provides fans with a rare and intimate glimpse into the mind of one of Korea’s leading directors.
Fostering Bonds: A Warm Welcome
The session was inaugurated as Director Yoo In-Shik took the stage alongside Deputy Chief of Mission Lim Sang-Woo. Mr. Lim set a warm, personal tone for the evening by speaking in Hindi and affectionately recalling his long-standing friendship with the director, noting, “Main high school aur college bhi Yoo In-Shik ke saath jata tha. Yoo In-Shik na keval Korea mein lokpriya hai balki poori duniya mein bahut, bahut lokpriya hai (I went to high school and college with Yoo In-Shik, and he’s famous not just in Korea but also globally).”
Director Yoo In-Shik, making his first-ever visit to India, reciprocated the warmth with a friendly Hindi greeting, saying “Namaste,” and expressed his appreciation for the country’s “astonishing beauty and all the surprises.”
The Unforeseen Global Wave of ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo’:
The discussion soon turned to the phenomenal global success of ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo.’ Director Yoo openly admitted his surprise at its worldwide reach, initially believing the drama’s reliance on the Korean legal system and language would limit its appeal to a local audience.
He shared the creative decision behind one of the show’s most iconic visual elements:
“I chose the whale, as many people with Autism Spectrum Disorder choose their favourite animal, for visual purposes to appear behind her, and everyone loved whales. Many viewers said that’s when they fell in love with the drama.”
A Legacy of Noteworthy Dramas and Future Projects
Highlighting his remarkable career, Director Yoo introduced the audience to his other significant works, including the beloved medical series ‘Dr. Romantic’. He also spotlighted his 60-episode masterpiece, Giant, which he described as a “phenomenon” in Korea for its strong emotions, themes of revenge and success, and viewership that reached 40%.
Attendees were particularly enthusiastic when the director unveiled his exciting future projects:
‘Wonderfools’: A hilarious, action-packed comedy about “dumb losers in a small town who happen to gain some superpowers.” The cast announcement of Park Eun-Bin and Cha Eun-Woo was met with massive cheers, and Director Yoo confirmed the show’s future availability on Netflix.
‘100 Days of Lies’: A spy melodrama set in the colonial period of Korea in the 1930s, starring Kim Yoo-Jung and Park Jin-Young, set to air in November of the following year.
Mutual Admiration: Insights on Indian Cinema
The conversation fluidly transitioned to Indian cinema, with Director Yoo expressing profound admiration for Indian films. He specifically mentioned having watched ‘3 Idiots’, ‘RRR,’ and ‘The White Tiger,’ praising their “very different style and deep wisdom, as well as astonishing imagination and use of technology.”
He further shared his experience visiting Ramoji Film City, where the “technical capability made him speechless,” opening the door to the possibility of a cross-cultural collaboration:
“Why not? I think Indian viewers and Korean viewers have some common interests and common emotions because the two countries have a kind of painful history of colonialism and very rapidly changing societies, so maybe we can find a good space to connect here.”
Candid Q&A: Addressing Criticism and Impact
During the audience Q&A segment, Director Yoo addressed criticism, including the common sentiment that the character of genius attorney Woo Young-Woo is a “fantasy.” He humbly accepted the critique but offered a moving counter-perspective, recalling feedback from the mother of a child on the autism spectrum.
“She said, ‘I know my child will never become like Woo Young-Woo. What I hope for is that someday my child meets a boss like Jung Myung-seok, a friend like Spring Sunshine, and a lover like Jun-ho.’ That made me think this part of the story does not have to remain a fantasy.”
The director also addressed a challenging question regarding the dramatic setting of Attorney Woo’s mother choosing her career over her child. He clarified that it was purely a “dramatic setting” for the protagonist’s birth, not a reflection of a societal norm, and apologized for the negative image it might have created. Deputy Chief of Mission Lim Sang-Woo added that the drama reflects the “older generation” in an evolving society, urging understanding of the “curious twist to change the gender” from the traditional portrayal of father abandonment.
As the engaging evening concluded with photographs and appreciation, Director Yoo In-Shik left an undeniable impression, reinforcing the strong connection between Korean storytelling and its enthusiastic Indian audience.
Photo Credits: KCCI
Written by – Bhumi
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