If you're a fan of K-dramas, you're always on the lookout for rising actors and their latest hit series. In this post, we'll dive into the profile of the talented actor 🎭 Kang Tae-oh and introduce a popular Netflix series featuring him.
Kang Tae-oh – Profile & Notable Works
Kang Tae-oh (real name Kim Yoon-hwan) was born on June 20, 1994, in Gyeyang-gu, Incheon, South Korea. He made his debut in 2013 with the web drama 🎥 After School: Lucky or Not and initially gained attention as a member of the actor group 5urprise, formed by Fantagio. Through fan meetings in China, Hong Kong, and other parts of Asia, he built a solid international fan base. Notably, he starred in the Korea-Vietnam co-produced drama 🌏 Forever Young, which helped him gain recognition in Vietnam as well.
Kang Tae-oh steadily built his acting career through projects like the MBC drama festival 🕵️ Chief Inspector and the weekend drama 🌸 Flower of Queen. In 2019, he took on the role of the witty 🎭 Cha Yul-moo in the KBS historical drama 👑 The Tale of Nokdu, earning his first rookie award and attracting public attention. In 2020, he signed an exclusive contract with 🏢 Man of Creation (MOC), marking a new chapter in his career.
However, his breakthrough role came in 2022 with the ENA drama Extraordinary Attorney Woo, where he played the warmhearted legal assistant 🤵 Lee Jun-ho. Thanks to this role, Kang Tae-oh rose to stardom, gaining massive popularity both in Korea and internationally. Having completed his military service, he is now preparing for his next project, and fans eagerly await his return to the screen.
📺 Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022)
📝 Synopsis
Extraordinary Attorney Woo follows the journey of Woo Young-woo (played by Park Eun-bin), a genius attorney with autism spectrum disorder, as she navigates her career at the Hanbada law firm.
With an exceptional memory and unique thought process, Young-woo excels in legal analysis but faces challenges in social interactions. Through relationships with her colleagues, she gradually grows and breaks down prejudices while solving various cases.
One of the drama’s highlights is Young-woo’s love for whales and orcas, which she often references in conversations. Her budding romance with Lee Jun-ho (played by Kang Tae-oh) also became a fan-favorite element of the show.
🌟 Popularity & Impact
📈 Extraordinary Attorney Woo became a phenomenon, recording an astonishing peak rating of 17.5% in South Korea despite airing on the relatively small ENA channel.
🌐 As a Netflix hit, the series gained international popularity, trending in Japan, the US, and Europe.
🏆 It won multiple awards, including the Baeksang Arts Awards and Korea Drama Awards, solidifying its reputation as both a critically acclaimed and commercially successful drama.
🎭 Main Characters
Woo Young-woo (Park Eun-bin) 🦜
A genius attorney with autism spectrum disorder, known for her extraordinary memory and logical thinking. Despite social challenges, she grows through her work and relationships. She has a deep fascination with whales.Lee Jun-ho (Kang Tae-oh) 💙
A kind-hearted employee at Hanbada law firm who supports Young-woo. As he gets to know her better, he begins to develop romantic feelings for her.Jung Myung-seok (Kang Ki-young) ⚖
A senior attorney at Hanbada and Young-woo’s mentor. He is logical yet compassionate, guiding her without prejudice.Kwon Min-woo (Joo Jong-hyuk) 🤨
A lawyer at Hanbada who initially doubts Young-woo but eventually comes to acknowledge her abilities.Dong Geu-ra-mi (Joo Hyun-young) 😆
Young-woo’s best friend, an energetic and loyal supporter who always cheers her on.
🎬 Memorable Scenes & Quotes
🏆 Awards & Recognition
2022 Baeksang Arts Awards 🏅 Grand Prize (Park Eun-bin)
2022 Korea Drama Awards 🏆 Best Drama, Best Actor & Actress (Kang Tae-oh, Park Eun-bin)
2022 Asia Contents Awards 🏆 Best Content Award
2022 APAN Star Awards 🏆 Popularity Award, Excellence Award
2023 Korean Broadcasting Awards 🏆 Best Drama Award
🔥 Why Is This Drama Special?
✅ Legal drama with a healing touch – While dealing with serious cases, the drama maintains a heartwarming and light atmosphere.
✅ Realistic portrayal of autism – The show delicately addresses the challenges and prejudices faced by individuals with disabilities.
✅ Growth stories of all characters – Not only Young-woo but also those around her experience growth throughout the series.
✅ Stunning visuals & OST – The use of whale imagery and an emotional soundtrack enhance the storytelling experience.
