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Go Youn Jung shares her impression and understanding of We Are All Trying Here and her on-screen character.
We Are All Trying Here follows the journey of aspiring director Hwang Dong Man (Koo Kyo Hwan), who, being the only one who hasn't debuted among a group of accomplished friends, is driven to anguish and madness by envy and jealousy. The story is centered on the struggles of him and others as they try to find peace.
The K-drama stars Koo Kyo Hwan, Go Youn Jung, Oh Jung Se, Kang Mal Geum, and Park Hae Joon, among others.
Go Youn Jung plays Byeon Eun Ah, a producer at Choi Film. She shared, "Since the story is set in the industry I work in, it felt natural rather than unfamiliar, and there were many aspects I could deeply relate to."
She continued, "The comedic elements stood out even more," adding, "What impressed me was that the humor isn't simply light. It carries darkness and bitterness, almost like a vibe of a 'dark sitcom.'"
Byeon Eun Ah appears strong, so much so that she's nicknamed "The Axe" at work for her sharp script reviews. But beneath that outlook, she lives with existential anxiety. Go Youn Jung shared, "I interpreted her as someone who constantly holds herself to stricter standards and repeatedly asks herself, 'Am I truly a person of value?'"
She continued, "When overwhelmed by extreme stress or anxiety, she experiences nosebleeds rather than tears. She suppresses her emotions rather than showing them, and, in that way, she continues her quiet yet deep inner struggle."
Regarding her portrayal of Byeon Eun Ah, she said, "I thought a lot about how to effectively convey the nuances of her inner world, focusing on details like subtle glances, the rhythm of her speech, and the intonation at the end of her sentences. Since she is a character with a lot of blank space, I tried to fill that space."
The actress also shared about working with Koo Kyo Hwan, saying, "I often felt as if I were actually seeing Hwang Dong Man. He has a bright and cheerful energy, yet beneath that, he is constantly working hard and struggling with himself in ways that aren't immediately visible, which perfectly resembles Hwang Dong Man."
She continued, "Even within his freedom, I could sense a clear sense of order in his acting. Hwang Dong Man appeared far more colorful and three-dimensional than I had imagined, as if he were alive right in front of me. I learned a lot and was immensely inspired."
Go also spoke about the relationship between the two characters: "They might not stand out in society, but they instinctively recognize each other's value and offer comfort." She added, "I felt that the words Byeon Eun Ah offers in support of Hwang Dong Man are ultimately what she wanted to say to herself. Since these moments allow her to comfort the other while also consoling herself, their relationship feels deeper and more genuine."
Concluding, Go Youn Jung said, "Through Byeon Eun Ah's journey, I hope viewers can see their feelings of 'worthlessness' not as something to be eliminated, but as something to understand, accept, and find new meaning in." "I also hope they can experience a small sense of liberation in acknowledging and accepting themselves."
We Are All Trying Here is set to premiere on April 18 and is reported to stream on Netflix.
