The Japanese remake of the hit Korean series Extraordinary Attorney Woo premiered on October 19, 2026, on Kansai TV and Fuji TV. Titled Minamida Minami: The Genius Lawyer, the adaptation follows a brilliant rookie lawyer on the autism spectrum as she navigates professional challenges and prejudice at a major law firm.
The original 2022 Korean drama, starring Park Eun-bin, became a major international success and attracted a global audience through Netflix. Expectations for the Japanese version were therefore high.
Japanese actress Mana Ashida takes on the lead role, reimagining Woo Young-woo as Minamida Minami. Fumiya Takahashi plays the character corresponding to Lee Jun-ho, originally portrayed by Kang Tae-oh.
The remake retains recognizable character traits and story elements while adapting cultural details for Japanese audiences. The protagonist’s beloved kimbap becomes onigiri, a traditional Japanese rice ball, while the famous greeting between Woo and her best friend is reworked around the name Minami.
The original’s revolving-door scene is also adapted into an escalator-related moment. These changes have attracted attention from viewers comparing the two versions.
Despite praise for the casting and certain character details, the remake has faced criticism over its direction and presentation.
According to entertainment reports by OSEN, some viewers found the lighting and colour grading overly bright and the visual style dated. Others questioned the use of a lighthearted tone during emotionally serious scenes.
A flashback involving the young protagonist and her father also drew criticism from some viewers who felt the scene emphasized her extraordinary intelligence rather than the emotional distress of the moment. Some comparisons have additionally focused on the performances of Ashida and the original lead, Park Eun-bin.
These reactions represent reported criticism rather than a universal audience verdict. With only the first episode aired at the time of the reports, the series still has room to develop its own identity.
Adapting a popular drama for another country involves balancing familiar storytelling with cultural differences. Minamida Minami: The Genius Lawyer has retained the original’s central premise while changing names, food and selected scenes to better fit its Japanese setting.
Whether the adaptation will win over viewers as the series continues remains to be seen. For now, the remake has sparked a wider conversation about how successful Korean dramas can be reinterpreted for international audiences.
Sources: The Chosun, OSEN, CHOSUNBIZ and Korea Daily.
Source & Attribution Disclaimer: This article is based on published entertainment reporting from the sources listed above. Viewer reactions and criticisms are attributed to the reports and should not be interpreted as representing every audience member. This article does not claim ownership of the original reporting or images and does not necessarily represent our views or endorsements.
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