Reviews

Finally, a Proper Shoujo-Style K-Drama That Made My Heart Flutter!

I'm so, so in love with Baek Ho Rang and Na Bo Bae! 🥹💕 They're absolutely adorable together, and their chemistry is so warm, natural, and heart-fluttering that I had butterflies every single time they appeared on screen. I'm also incredibly glad they decided to release all the episodes at once because this is exactly the kind of romance you just want to binge without stopping!

I've seen a few reviews saying the story was too classic or predictable, but honestly, that's exactly what made me love it even more. Sometimes, all I want is a sweet, comforting, extra al콩달콩 romance that makes me smile like an idiot, and this drama delivered everything I was craving.

And can we talk about Baek Ho Rang for a moment? His character was such a breath of fresh air. Quiet, intelligent, composed, and effortlessly charming. There was something so calming about watching him, and that smile? WOOOAH! SO ADORABLE! 😭💕 I especially loved how, in the end, he didn't resort to any extreme revenge or dramatic schemes to destroy the people who had wronged him. He simply revealed the truth and let them destroy themselves. That was so satisfying and perfectly suited his character.

But what truly made this love story special to me was the relationship between Baek Ho Rang and Na Bo Bae. They both entered their contract with clear goals and something important they wanted to achieve. Neither expected to fall in love, yet somewhere along the way, their feelings became more important than everything they had originally been fighting for.

And when they eventually lost everything they had worked toward, neither seemed to care about their own losses. All they could think about was whether the other person was okay. THAT is the kind of love I absolutely adore. Two people who started out pursuing their own dreams but ended up finding someone more precious than anything they could have imagined.

It's been such a long time since I watched a proper shoujo-style K-drama that gave me this many butterflies. No unnecessary cruelty, no ridiculously toxic romance, just two lovable characters slowly falling for each other and choosing each other when it mattered most.

I genuinely don't care if the story was cliché. Give me this kind of sweet, wholesome, heartwarming romance over unnecessary angst any day!

This was exactly the kind of love story I wanted to watch. So soft, so comforting, so beautifully romantic. My heart is FULL! 💗

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Expect more from a popular kdrama …

So many plot holes. At least five episodes could have been cut because they feel repetitive and do little to move the storyline forward. I expected more from such a popular K-drama. While the concept may not feel particularly original today, it was fresh and intriguing at the time of its release. The premise had so much potential, but the execution was ultimately unsatisfying.

The beginning was especially interesting because the protagonist was a side character who wanted to change her fate. She was tired of being trapped in a life where she loved someone who hurt her while also having to deal with her illness. For once, she wanted to take control of her own story rather than blindly follow a script that condemned her to suffering.

However, somewhere along the way, her original goal gets lost. Instead of focusing on changing her fate and reclaiming her autonomy, she ends up falling for another guy and devoting herself to their relationship. Her entire struggle shifts from rewriting her own story to fighting for a romance.

And that’s what makes the execution so disappointing. The original premise was about a character realizing that she didn’t have to accept the role assigned to her. Yet, in the end, her story becomes centered around another love interest. What started as a story about taking control of your own life gradually turns into a story about fighting for love. Romance itself isn’t the problem; it’s the way it overshadows the very goal that made the protagonist interesting in the first place.

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A Promising Premise and an Underwritten Story

The premise was a fresh idea, and the drama had the lore, talent, and chemistry to make it work. Unfortunately, the script seemed more interested in presenting an intriguing outline than taking the time to develop it. And no, I don’t think the problem is that viewers aren’t using their imagination or drawing on existing lore to fill in the blanks. The problem is that the story itself doesn’t give us enough information to understand the world it has created.

Using context clues, we can surmise that Nours are inspired by vampires. But they aren’t traditional vampires, so we cannot just assume the same rules apply. How do they coexist with humans, how are they created, and what are their abilities and limitations? If they are essentially undead, how are they able to reproduce? And what happens when one is discovered and/or caught committing a crime? Can they be detained? Can they be killed? How can they be killed? These details matter because they shape the world the story is asking us to believe in. It is the script’s job to let the viewers know under what rule the fictional species they created operate under.

This is especially important with Ken, whose entire character arc revolves around his desperate search for a way to die. Are all Nours the same? Is he different? If yes, what makes his condition different from that of other Nours? How does the turning process work, and why do some of its outcomes appear to differ? These aren’t minor details; they are essential to understanding his motivations.

The character development has issues as well. Several significant revelations about James introduce interesting possibilities but receive any meaningful exploration, leaving viewers to speculate about their meaning rather than see them on screen. The exploration into James’s past and present would have given weight to Ken’s ultimate decision in the end. The same goes for Ken’s past, his purpose, and his previous partner. These details are mentioned often enough to suggest their importance, yet the script never gives them the attention needed to fully understand Ken or his emotional journey.

The procedural elements was also poorly handled. I didn’t expect a full investigative drama, but I did expect the cases to be treated with some seriousness. The editing and lack of continuity of scenes only add to the frustration with transitions between scenes feeling disjointed, and weakening moments that should have had more impact. For a story juggling supernatural lore, investigations, and multiple relationships, that lack of continuity is hard to dismiss.

As for relationships, starting with the second couple, whose bond had the potential to offer plenty of angst and emotional depth, and yet even at the climax because of the lack of decent exploration, their story never quite drew me in. I feel the same way about Ken and James. The chemistry is undeniable, but the writing doesn’t do enough to establish the emotional basis their relationship needs. Ken’s desire to die is fundamental to his character, and his decision to give that up for James should be the emotional payoff everything has been building toward. If we aren’t given enough insight into Ken’s past, and what makes James the person worth choosing life for, then that payoff loses that weight. At the end, the drama did not convince me enough as to why Ken should abandon his chance at death for James.

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A Masterpiece That Arrived at Just the Right Time (10/10)

It has been a very long time since I experienced a viewing experience like this: being able to laugh freely, feel moved, be happy, sad, and instinctively applaud in front of the screen. Out of the dozens of drama titles I've watched recently, not a single one has managed to evoke this level of emotional resonance. On average, the dramas I watch score between 6 and 8, but for We Are All Trying Here, I can unhesitatingly give a perfect score of 10/10.

Honestly, this drama had been sitting on my wishlist for quite a while. I kept postponing it because I assumed the plot would be heavy and gloomy. However, that wait paid off completely. This experience made me realize how important mood readiness is before watching a work. When your mindset and mood are just right, the right drama feels extraordinary—and this drama proved it.

There are three main reasons why this drama feels so special to me:

1. Relatable Script & Story:
The story is not only conceptually great, but it also feels incredibly close to life and vivid. The characters' struggles are conveyed honestly without feeling forced.

2. Exceptional Acting & Casting:
The entire cast executes their roles brilliantly. Koo Kyo-hwan as Hwang Dong-man proves his class—this role feels tailor-made specifically for him. Furthermore, Kang Mal-geum playing Ko Hye-jin is a total scene-stealer. Her character and performance are deeply admirable.

3. A Soulful Ballad OST:
At a time when other drama OSTs lately feel bland and forgettable, the OST in this drama feels completely fitting and emotional. Vocals from renowned singers like Taeyeon, Choi Yu Ree, and Paul Kim successfully enhance every scene and revive my love for ballad music.

We Are All Trying Here is not just entertainment; it is an emotional experience that arrived at the exact right moment.

Note: This is my first time writing and publishing a drama review.

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It didn't live up to its potential

I love Miles Wei. It wasn't always the case but now I love him, so I was happy to see that drama that had him and a unique premise. Indeed it started well and I thought, yes, a drama I can enjoy without knowing what the next scene will be. But the FL wasn't a great actress, she overacted and her character wasn't that interesting in the end.

The format wasn't bad and the first stories quite interesting but then it started going south and never stopped. So I watched the last episode and didn't like it either, and it joins the failures in my list. A shame to be honest because it was a great idea. It just never reached its potential.

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Chaotic and entertaining, but also too convoluted

This is a story that's worth to waste a bit of your time to see if it's for you or not. It wasn't for me and the main reason is that I didn't like the FL. None of them. Not the characters, not the actresses.

I do love original series and gray characters, see Desperate Housewives, but this didn't manage to capture my interest. I tried a few times but after a while I just jumped to the last episode and even that didn't work for me.

I can't pinpoint what the issue was but I think I always need someone to rule about and I couldn't find anyone here. That said, I'd advise viewers to give it a chance.

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Lighthearted, Fun, and Great Casting

Overall, this was a fresh and entertaining romcom. While the concept is not groundbreaking and relies on classic K drama tropes like the rich chaebol, a second male lead, and a bubbly female lead, it still managed to feel unique. It was easy to watch, funny, and perfect if you are looking for something lighthearted.

The main highlight for me was definitely the casting. I was already familiar with both lead actors from their previous works, but seeing them in completely different roles was a great surprise. I knew the male lead from Trigger, where I already liked his performance, and seeing him showcase his versatility here made me appreciate him even more as an actor. The same goes for the female lead, whom I recognized from When the Phone Rings. She played such a different character there that I did not expect her to have such great comedic timing here. The second lead was also good, though, to be honest, his character did not add much to the overall plot and could have been left out without changing much. Still, since I already liked the actor, I was happy to see him.

In terms of character depth, I felt genuinely connected to both leads. One refreshing twist on the usual cliché was showing the chaebol male lead as genuinely vulnerable, especially through his heart condition, his fears, and his emotional side, which actually made him much easier to connect with. However, I do wish the writing had explored their backstories with a bit more depth. It would have been interesting to learn more about the accident involving his parents. As for the female lead, even though we saw a few scenes, I wanted more depth regarding how she managed her condition in her daily life before.

All in all, since it is a rom-com, you should not expect a massive or complex storyline. It is not something you watch if you want an intense, plot heavy show where you have to think too much. Instead, it is the perfect drama to watch when you are bored, want to lighten your mood, or just need something fun and easygoing.

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When my favorite actor fails me

The ML is one of my favorite actors, but I didn't manage to get through this drama for several reasons. It was a bit complicated to follow if you didn't pay attention and I wasn't in the mood to pay attention. My fault but I also believe it should have been more compelling since this is the kind of dram I love.

My main grief is with the FL. She is so dry as an actress I couldn't care less of what happens to her. The romance was sub par as well, so other than watching it for the father character, I'm not sure why I would watch it.

I'm sad not to like it actually.

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cooking while burning the kitchen down

i genuinely have mixed feelings on this drama. it was a good show, im not going to lie however, as the story went on, the execution just kept frustrating me lol. 운정 was probably the most interesting character by far. not because he’s just played by 차은우, but rather because of how much fun the writers decided to apparently have with his character. i understood why he betrayed 채니. he wanted to find his mother, learn about his past, and most importantly, survive. he was dying too, and i don’t think his decision makes him a bad person. however, one of my biggest irks was the constant disregard for physical urgency in his side effects. 운정 could constantly go into a million different fights with his powers, get a crazy bloody nose and faint, but face no lasting consequences from those side effects. if the side effects were supposed to be killing him, i needed the show to establish some consistency here lol. they didn’t feel as progressive and severe as the other wunderkinder. it almost just felt like the side effects were a convenience whenever the writers knew they needed someone dead, like 팔호 or 주란. another irk was the motivations of 하원도. i understood the original idea of him wanting to save the children he’d experimented on, but by the end, i felt his motives had shifted without much development. was he trying to save his children, or was everything ultimately about obtaining immortality for a “new world” and recreating the child of eternity? i never understood it. why give a very emotional background that backs up the first impression and completely disregard it towards the end to get a bigger “climax”? i can accept an antagonist with selfish, contradictory motives, but i need the writing to connect those motives properly. i’m also glad he died, for that small moment if you know what i mean Read More

Something didn't click

Normally I like both actors although both are n my like list and not love list.

This could have worked but I think the subject wasn't for me. It's not only the FL's family the issue, although it's a big part of why I didn't like it. it was also the romance that never reached the high I was hoping and I blame the actors because form I've seen in other dramas with them they aren't vivid enough. I never feel the love from them, so here it was even more visible.
All in all, it was quite boring and I was disappointed. Plus, I didn't care for their jobs that much and the bromance was okay but again not the reason I started this.

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*Hakaider* is a film directed by Keita Amemiya and written by Toshiki Inoue. The story follows Hakaider, an antihero who becomes a sort of harbinger of death, hunting down the tyrants who rule over society.
The film is considerably more violent than what you'd typically expect from a tokusatsu production. Considering the genre and the era, the art direction is impressive, especially given that this was one of Keita Amemiya's early directorial works.
However, the film's short runtime leaves several details unexplored that could have benefited from further development. The pacing is also considerably slower, and the film doesn't always make as much use of its soundtrack as it does of its visual effects.
The art direction is phenomenal, making the film feel like a Shakespearean stage play: a tale of death, life, vengeance, power, submission, and revolution. These are themes that feel particularly relevant in today's chaotic political climate.

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Possession is not love

I really wanted to love this drama, but I’m slowly losing interest. I just can’t feel the attraction or genuine love between the leads. What I see instead is mostly physical desire, along with occasional moments from the male lead that are meant to show he cares. For me, though, it isn’t enough.
The drama touches on toxic relationships, coercion, and possessiveness, with its repeated “you’re mine” attitude—as if owning someone were the same as loving them. Honestly, this makes the experience feel more depressing than romantic.
I can’t help wondering whether the initial trailer set expectations too high, promising something truly WOW. The presence of two very well-known actors raised those expectations even further. Their performances may elevate the drama, but even great actors can’t fully compensate for a story that lacks emotional depth and engaging development.
I’ve watched short-form Chinese dramas with far more chemistry, tension, and compelling plot development. Here, I keep waiting for something that will make me feel invested in the leads’ relationship, but it simply isn’t happening.
There’s something so gloomy and heavy about this drama.

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