We Are All Trying Here

Despite Its Flaws, “It’s Art” (PSY)

When I started watching We Are All Trying Here, I was reminded of Fabrice Luchini speaking about the sense of uselessness described by Blaise Pascal, one of the greatest French thinkers of the 17th century. In Pascal’s work, there is this deep recognition of existential emptiness that emerges when a person is confronted with their own insignificance. From there comes a constant need for distraction, recognition, and self-expression: because the moment one is no longer occupied, the feeling of being useless returns. Behind this drama, we find screenwriter Park Hae-young, known for Another Miss Oh, but especially for My Mister and My Liberation Notes. I felt this series revisited a familiar pairing she seems particularly fond of: a young, strikingly beautiful woman contrasted with an older man, marked by life’s hardships (after IU and Kim Ji-won, we now have Go Youn-jung’s almost “madonna-like” figure). However, the narrative suffers from certain clumsiness, due to poorly introduced or sometimes simply omitted elements. Once again, this is a psychological and sociological study of characters, all of whom carry—or continue to carry—a burden. That said, this is not a 100% tragedy: the series also allows for lighter, even comedic moments. Because this work is not intended solely for neurotics or pessimists; it also shows that beyond suffering, there is always a small opening toward light and healing.

The story revolves around a group of friends gathered in the “Eight Club”: screenwriters, directors, producers—everyone works in the film industry. Some have succeeded, while others have had a much harder path. Hwang Dong-man (Koo Kyo-hwan), in his forties, is the only one who has achieved nothing in twenty years. He is a dreamer, shaped by life’s vicissitudes, often appearing lazy and detached. He frequently comes across as a victim, a role he unconsciously nurtures. To avoid sinking into the feeling of uselessness, he clings to anything available—whether in real life or in the films he watches as a form of escape. He lives in a small apartment he shares with his older brother, Hwang Jin-man (Park Hae-joon), a once-renowned poet now physically and mentally broken, surviving through menial jobs. They are painful to watch, both in deep emotional distress. On the other side, Byeon Eun-a (Go Youn-jung) works at a production company. Her job is to read scripts, revise them, and approve them. Her life is shaped by emotional emptiness, rooted in a complete lack of maternal connection after being abandoned at age nine. She drowns her melancholy in work. Her anxiety manifests physically through frequent nosebleeds whenever she feels threatened. Knowing each other professionally and also through an academic program, Dong-man and Eun-a gradually grow closer, helping each other confront their emotional states and the contempt they face from others.

This drama feels like it closes a trilogy about mental alienation and the paths toward healing. After the extreme poverty and responsibility awakening of My Mister, and the rural monotony, alcoholism, and existential suffocation of My Liberation Notes, We Are All Trying Here explores abandonment and existential emptiness. These are anti-heroes who feel they have missed their lives due to external circumstances, but also because of their own choices. However, this is not about excusing them—the story avoids self-pity. It is once again a slice-of-life narrative from the writer. Yet while I was moved by My Mister and disappointed by My Liberation Notes, here it is more the casting than the writing that holds the series together, despite a sometimes chaotic structure that loses track of its own narrative threads. The story of Jin-man and Mi-ran, in particular, feels underdeveloped. As viewers, we are often left to fill in the gaps ourselves, which creates a frustrating sense of incompleteness. Only toward the very end do we finally receive, almost in thriller fashion, a late explanation of Jin-man’s traumatic past—feeling almost like a patch added after the fact.

So what is We Are All Trying Here to me? It is a mirror of life itself, a gallery of portraits in which each character must face their own demons: they feel they have failed or missed their lives because, while others moved forward, they stagnated—missing what mattered due to professional or personal missteps. External events have amplified this sense of injustice. Dong-man and Byeon Eun-a have both suffered life’s blows. But while the former is partly responsible for his situation due to arrogance and minimal effort, Eun-a carries a melancholy that is not of her own making. She was built alone, without emotional support; the love of a surrogate grandmother is not enough to fill that void. The common point between these two broken beings is that they are constantly humiliated by their respective nemeses: for Dong-man, Park Gyeong-se (Oh Jung-se), a failed director sustained only by his wife Ko Hye-jin (Kang Mal-geum); for Eun-a, her boss Choi Dong-hyeon (Choi Won-young), who reduces her to a convenient scapegoat. Without spoiling anything, Eun-a must eventually confront her mother for the first time since her abandonment—much like Luke confronting his father in Star Wars to break free and become whole. These confrontations between the two women are beautifully written and mark a major turning point in her character. As for Dong-man, he becomes the man he always wanted to be by overcoming his emotional excess and impulsive behavior.

The series’ greatest strengths lie in its finely written dialogue and outstanding cast: nothing is said without purpose. Coming straight from the disappointing Perfect Crown, this felt like a punch in the face—in the best possible way. Koo Kyo-hwan is given full space to showcase his talent in this deeply human and sincere fable. I have nothing against Go Youn-jung, but like Kim Ji-won, her physical presence sometimes overshadows her acting. Once Jang Mi-ran (Han Sun-hwa) enters the story, she partially eclipses her. I also grow tired of the overly pitiful “Calimero-like” expressions and somewhat stereotyped acting style. However, the casting overall is handled very well. The introduction of veteran actors like Bae Jong-ok and Sung Dong-il in the second half adds real energy to the drama. The direction is solid, as is the cinematography, with visual metaphors that are both explicit and effective. Unfortunately, while the series opens many narrative doors, some arcs remain unresolved or underdeveloped, seemingly due to convenience rather than intention. Why does no journalist investigate Oh Jeong-hui’s past? And why introduce Jin-man’s backstory if it ultimately leads nowhere? This sense of incompleteness is frustrating. A few clichés are also easily forgettable.

“Everyone Is Fighting Against Their Own Sense of Worthlessness”: this is the real title of the drama, and it captures its essence perfectly. It reflects the internal struggle we all face simply to continue existing—not merely to avoid being forgotten, two very different things. I agree with Moon Yeong, who notes in her review how misleading Netflix’s chosen title is, as it feels hollow and disconnected from the work’s true meaning. This drama shows that resilience leads to healing—partial or complete—through mutual emotional support that is tangible and lasting. The series is not at all miserabilist; quite the opposite. It is a psychological study of a slice of life that is corrosive, sincere, and deeply moving. It becomes a true emotional rollercoaster, even if it is imperfect. The narrative suffers from uneven pacing and occasionally unnecessary scenes; there was clearly room for refinement. The OST is sublime and poetic, enhancing the visuals and occasionally bringing tears. And Koo Kyo-hwan, like a storm, carries everything in his path. Fortunately, the final four episodes are particularly strong, culminating in a hopeful horizon. The most memorable moment comes in Jin-man’s monologue to Dong-man—a powerful, poetic speech that encapsulates the soul of the story. This earns the drama a bonus point in my view. A deeply humane work, never truly tragic, but rather an ode to reconciliation with oneself and to life itself, expressed with humility.

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Maybe not for me

A lot of this show involves sitting in a certain level of misery which made it hard to watch when there was little relief. Dong Man’s “craziness” is meant to at times offer some comedic lightness but I found it very awkward and cringe. I mostly enjoyed his interactions in Eun-A but also found their relationship hard to believe and confusing. There were some parts of the story that didn’t quite feel finished (whatever happened to Knock Knock Knock?) or rushed/odd at the end (DM struggling to maintain control of the set so the solution is a fist fight?). I was surprised everyone was so happy for Dong Man after all he’s said over the years about their own work.

I can understand why others liked the story, and in a way I did too. It was new and not your typical drama, but I think this was just not quite my style.

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A rollercoaster ride of powerful emotions and heartbreaking moments

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75 (rounding up to 9.0)

It’s hard to describe if I love or LOVE “We Are All Trying Here”. This title aptly matches what every single character is going through. There are so many emotional and special moments that it was hard to pinpoint which I love the best. But the first that came to mind is the end of ep 3, ML’s realization of who he truly is after the accident. What a powerful, powerful moment!!

Having said that, in the end, it didn’t quite hit me in the rating scale as “My Liberation Notes” (between 9.0-9.5). That is not to say “We Are All Trying Here” is not as good, it just brings out different emotions, and for someone like me who loves romance, the romance in MLN hits differently and leaves a deeper impact. I mean, there's Mr. Gu in MLN. But I also LOVE the romance here. It just hits differently.

Even though the drama follows the career of Hwang Dong Man (ML), I think the focus is on the different relationships in this drama. I am not talking about just the romance between Hwang Dong Man and Byeong Eun A (FL). In addition to this romance, we have the complicated friendship/competition within The Eight, different family dynamics, co-workers support/competition/camaraderie, traumatic history, and more. Each character brings out a different emotion in me. Some I want to strangle, some I want to hug, some I want to be friends with and some I want to punch. Even for Hwang Dong Man, he did not have a very likable introduction, but I’ve grown to love him.

I want to highlight a few of those special relationships:

Huang Dong Man + Byeong Eun A = Love this pair. They are soulmates with extremely different personalities. Their “Unknowns” break my heart. Their romance is so subtle yet so powerful. They show a different side of themselves when alone. They share their darkest secrets, deepest fears, full emotions, honest feelings and open communication. I am so happy that they found each other.

Hwang Dong Man + Park Gyeong Se = I have to say, I was a little annoyed by their back-and-forth childish behavior in the first half of the drama, and I might have found it a little repetitive. But I was deeply moved when I learned about their deep friendship, and Hwang Dong Man’s confessions and regrets. That confession is one of the highlights of the show for me.

Ko Hye Jin + Park Gyong Se = I love Ko Hye Jin. She’s such a kickass bosslady. I enjoy witnessing the dynamics and relationship between them. Their heartbreaking realization towards the end was further magnified by these two veteran actors' excellent performances.

Hwang Dong Man + Hwang Jin Man = These brothers have an unconventional way of caring and protecting each other. I wanted a little more of their past, but maybe the writer wants me to fill in the blanks given what I’ve been told.


I really didn’t have any expectations coming into this, even with all the rave reviews I’ve seen. I wasn’t sure if it’s really my cup of tea but I was craving something melo. In the end, I am so glad I chose to watch this, and will recommend “We Are All Trying Here” wholeheartedly if you are looking for powerful stories about deeply flawed characters. The acting is terrific all around and their stories bring me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. This drama might not have hot oppas (trust me, there isn’t any) but the real plot is enough to keep you engaged and entertained.




Completed: 5/27/2026 Review #690

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A hauntingly beautiful drama that understands human brokenness

I’ve been watching K-dramas since 2015, but honestly, no drama has ever made me feel this attached. We Are All Trying Here, is hauntingly beautiful in the way it portrays human emotions and inner struggles.

What I love the most is that no character feels purely bad or cruel. Every character is carrying their own wounds, their own sense of worthlessness, and trying to survive life in their own way. That’s what makes this drama feel painfully real and deeply human.

Even the smallest lines somehow carry so much meaning. The writing is subtle, melancholic, comforting, and emotionally overwhelming all at once. And the casting? Perfect. Not just the main leads, but the entire cast feels born for these roles.

Tbh, I genuinely can’t find a single flaw in this drama so far. Every episode leaves me wanting more while also making me scared to continue because I know I’ll have to wait another week again 😭

For me, this is one of the best slice-of-life dramas ever written n portrayed perfectly, and once again, Park Hae-young proves why no one understands human emotions quite like she does.

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We are all trying here especially when trying to write a half decent review

Okay I don't usually write reviews of dramas or movies I've watched because I suck at it like really bad. However this was a drama that I i just had to express my love for so here we go.

The story was something that personally i had never seen before. In all my life that i have watched hundreds and hundreds of dramas, shows and movies I have never really given a thought for the directors, writers and crew. When watching this drama it felt as if a door cracked open and there was this whole new world in another perspective. The story felt real and painful. It felt as if it was actually happening and it seemed like it wasn't fiction. The whole time I was watching the show I felt this thrill and excitement which was unusual because this wasn't a thriller. I was waiting for what could happen next?

But even though I was invested in the story and the characters I cant say it didn't feel jarring at some points. Some moments felt a little too long. To watch this guy just write nothing but even then i stayed and watched. I watched and remembered the feeling of being trapped because you are not brave enough to write what you want. The agony of being scared of hurting others with your writing or so atleast i read it. Even in the jarring moments i thought and wondered. It felt fresh to always see something in the smallest scenes that usually mean nothing to me.

If we talk about meaning nothing, we need to talk about the characters in a deeper level. Every character in the drama felt real. They felt like they were there and they were living. It felt real. I couldn't bring myself to hate anyone in this drama because everyone was so real. I could see what was going on. I couldn't see it from their words that said it straight but the mannerism, their lifes and their actions. As if they were actually living and breathing.

The love and romance need to be mentioned too. This drama showed love and relationship in such a raw and real way. The romance was suddle and secret it didn't yell and it didn't scream that "hey im here im here" but it was secret and quiet about it even in the moments that it wasn't.
The relationships in another hand were all beautiful in their own way. It showed the hardships of loving someone and the beauty too.

Though after all this the drama wasn't perfect. Nothing is perfect. The drama had it's problems here and there like the ending that kinda felt perfect but still as if something was rushed. It had scenes that got you thinking whatt. But like i said nothing is perfect.

Now I know that this review isnt the best like i said I suck at this but overall this drama opens your eyes and makes you realize how important the small wins are. It makes you realize that you are not the only one trying and that even in the hardest times you can find a reason to continue. And now to end this yapping seasson please no one attack me I wrote this review on my own interpretation.

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We Are All Trying

One thing that amazed me about this drama is the number of different characters and how we somehow grew attached to all of them. They are all incredibly endearing, and you can relate to each of them in one way or another.

There were times when I felt like I had enough of this drama, yet somehow I already miss them. It is a slow, healing drama about passion, dreams, and life. It reminds us that regardless of what we are going through, we are all trying our best
.
Koo Kyo Hwan is definitely not an actor I actively follow, but I know that when he is in a drama, it is going to be good. On that note, Go Youn Jung is the queen of picking scripts. Her range will forever amaze me and how different each of her characters feels from the last.

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A Slice of Depression

Starting this review of by saying acting was amazing. I had some reservations about GYJ's acting which she sucessfully overcame. Since I had seen other actors in other dramas, I wasn't really worried about overall quality of the performances.
What left me somewhat cold was the writing. I understood what the writer was going for, but some of the comedic and melodramatic moments felt out of place. Overall, directing and music choices fit the drama genre very well.
My review probably leaves you wondering why I gave this drama only 7.5. The reason is quite simple. If you're already struggling mentally, this drama will likely leave you feeling even more depressed. Because of that, I think it's important to watch it at the right time.

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Saddest One

I have seen just 4 eps and I’m already sad like each eps shows each pain and suffer of each individual through two great actors. when Dong-Man said that he wanna be in the other side of the world, I was in tears. And when Dong-Man and Eun-a both fought up there places it was masterpiece, like showing that quiet people can sparkle very thoughtfully. it a best one to watch

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Brilliant lines, beautiful shots

Instead of choosing happiness, we laugh at the misery, more or less my personal motto (and has been for a while), and apparently could also be Park Hae Youngs motto too...

Most of the time I am a character and fluff mood watcher. But to be honest I often seem to need to be dragged in to the depth of despair to truly love a drama. This drama excelled at the art of making a drama so powerful you don't really care if you love the characters or not , one where you get fed scene after scene, line after line with so much depth, emotion and thought it made me pause and rewatch several scenes some multiple times with such lines as:

" I don't get books like "please look after mom," iv got a different idea of "mom" from everyone else"

"My hair is pretty thick, if you start a fight and start pulling it, you might loose a finger"

While I did get annoyed with most of the characters in one way or another (because of their behaviour, and after a while its in a good way) The female lead was outstanding in every single way, actually most of the female characters in this had amazing lines, great acting and felt oddly relatable in very different slightly disturbing ways. The way hardship, mental illness, trauma fear and everything in between is displayed made me fall in love with this.

The power of words, the power of the sound of high heals, the power of silence and emotions are displayed in so many ways. The attention to detail it is indeed a true Park Hae Young (as you can read in the article me and Anquat wrote about her)

All this said I am going to admit that something was off in the last few episodes that kept me from rating this with a full 10 star rating but I will say this was brilliant.

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Great Ideas, Untapped Potential

I thought this drama was okay, but it never became much more than that for me. On paper, it has everything I usually enjoy. I liked how it explored loneliness, low self-esteem, and that feeling of existential emptiness through characters who are just trying to get through life while carrying the weight of their past choices and struggles. The drama handles these themes with empathy and ultimately delivers a comforting message about healing, self-acceptance, and finding the strength to move forward.

The two leads were easily the strongest part of the show. Dong-man is deeply flawed and often his own worst enemy, which makes him feel incredibly human and relatable. Eun-ah carries a quiet sadness tied to her past and her mother's abandonment. What I appreciated most about their relationship was how grounded it felt. It wasn't some idealized romance; it was built on mutual understanding and support. They accept each other's flaws, stay true to themselves, and refuse to let other people's expectations define who they are.

One of the most interesting aspects of Dong-man's character was his struggle to fit in, even among people he's supposed to call friends. As those around him become more successful, they gradually turn him into the group's scapegoat, constantly pointing out his failures while ignoring their own flaws. He's loud, impulsive, and frustrating at times, but the more I watched, the more those traits felt like defense mechanisms against the judgment he's constantly dealing with. Despite all his flaws, he remains authentic and unapologetically himself, and I often felt that's exactly what the people around him resented.

The cinematography and soundtrack were also great and added a lot to the overall atmosphere of the drama.

That said, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. While the drama touches on several interesting and sensitive topics, it rarely goes beyond the surface. A lot of the ideas it introduces are compelling, but it never fully commits to them or explores them as deeply as it could have. As someone who struggles with anxiety, I was hoping for a more nuanced approach to some of these themes, but it never quite got there. In the end, it felt like a salad without any seasoning: all the ingredients are there, but it's missing that extra layer that would bring everything together.

The writing also feels uneven at times. Some subplots are introduced only to be sidelined later, several narrative threads feel underdeveloped, and the pacing can be a bit choppy. The dialogue is often fairly simple and occasionally falls into cliché territory.

The acting is also inconsistent. While some performances are solid, others feel exaggerated and unconvincing. There were quite a few moments where I became too aware that I was watching actors rather than real characters, which broke the immersion for me.

Despite its flaws, I still think it's a well-intentioned drama with likable characters and meaningful themes. I appreciated what it was trying to say, but I couldn't help feeling like it only scratched the surface of the story it really wanted to tell...

☆My summary rating:

● Script : 6.4
● Execution : 7.8
● Acting : 7.2
● Pacing: 7
● Enjoyment: 6

Final Score: 6.5/10 ⭐⭐⭐½

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Drama of the year ?

This drama shows how two persons heal each other when there having different personalities.. tbh it's a masterpiece they wrote so well

All characters did their best..you will be involved and feel the pain with them, cry with them, laugh with them..you will enjoy every part of the drama.. first few episodes you may feel dong man talks so much but after watching him, you will like him more and Eun-a always calm and face every emotion without expressing her inner feelings..but it's turned out different when dong man and Eun-a met each other..that's where you will start connecting to this drama..i can talk more about this drama but i will say just watch it

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A quiet drama that stayed with me

“We Are All Trying Here” felt comforting in the most natural way possible. At first I kept wondering how they would carry the story till the end because it felt so simple and quiet, and my brain started making theories about the watch and everything. But somehow the drama just pulls you into everyday life naturally.

There isn’t even a single kiss scene, yet the love between them overflowed in every interaction. Honestly, some scenes felt more intimate than actual romance dramas.

The chemistry between Koo Kyo-hwan and Go Youn-jung was amazing — silly, constantly yapping boy meets quiet introvert listener girl. Their dynamic felt so human instead of scripted.

What I loved most was the emotional realism. They supported each other exactly when they needed it most. The “cry for help” line still stays with me.

The drama is very calm with minimal fighting. Sometimes you hear only the voices of the characters and soft background sounds, which made everything feel even more real. The OST was used only when necessary and every track felt soothing. The opening song was beautiful too.

“If you want to run away together, I’ll run away with you.
If you want to live in hiding forever, I’ll hide with you.
I like that.”

One scene that will stay in my head forever is when Dong-man hugs Eun-ah while she’s wearing that oversized sweater. Somehow it felt hotter and more intimate than a kiss scene. Another memorable line was Eun-ah asking, “Are we human beings better?” during the early episodes.

This drama won’t be for people looking for constant action or typical rom-com tropes. But if you love slow slice-of-life stories that quietly heal you while breaking your heart a little, this is a hidden gem.

I genuinely don’t understand why it’s sitting around 8.3 ratings because this was easily a 10/10 for me. While everyone was busy watching bigger trending dramas, this one felt underrated and special.”

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