JTBC’s upcoming drama We Are All Trying Here (LT) has unveiled a powerhouse lineup—Koo Kyo Hwan, Go Youn Jung, Oh Jung Se, Kang Mal Geum, and Park Hae Joon, signaling the launch of a new syndrome that transforms “worthlessness” into something profoundly human and unexpectedly valuable.
Directed by Cha Young-hoon and written by Park Hae-young—the duo behind beloved hits like My Mister, My Liberation Notes, and When the Camellia Blooms—this new JTBC series takes on the most universal modern affliction: anxiety born from watching everyone else succeed but yourself.
The story follows a man unraveling from jealousy, envy, and self-doubt while his accomplished friends effortlessly find peace. With “anxiety” as its central keyword, the drama aims to flip viewers’ stalled red lights into emotional green ones.
A Reunion of Masterful Storytellers
Writer Park Hae-young returns with her signature blend of piercing insight and lyrical prose, diving deeper than ever into the raw ache of human fragility. Paired with Director Cha Young-hoon’s warm, empathetic lens—known for wrapping flawed characters in tenderness—the series promises a soulful synergy that turns life’s cold realities into something unexpectedly healing.
A Cast Built for Complexity
Koo Kyo Hwan, in his first-ever TV lead role, plays Hwang Dong-man, the only aspiring director in an elite film circle who still hasn’t debuted. Burdened by spiraling anxiety, Dong-man hides behind chatter, bravado, and awkward charm. Koo’s distinct sensibility and eccentric flair make Dong-man an instantly relatable figure—annoying yet lovable, insecure yet oddly comforting. His presence is poised to whisper encouragement to every viewer stuck in their own red light: “You and I aren’t so different.”
Go Youn Jung transforms into Byun Eun-ah, a sharp-tongued producer known for her brutal script notes—and for the nosebleeds triggered by emotional overload. Beneath her poised exterior lies self-destructive rage and deep abandonment wounds. Her dynamic with Dong-man—two broken people accidentally healing each other—promises a luminous emotional arc powered by Go Youn-jung’s evocative gaze.
Oh Jung Se plays Park Kyung-se, a successful filmmaker whose recent flop sends him spiraling into an inferiority feud with Dong-man. Oh’s unmatched ability to portray fragile men on the brink will amplify the drama’s humor and emotional chaos, especially in the “inferiority Olympics” he wages against Dong-man.
Kang Mal Geum stars as Go Hye-jin, Kyung-se’s wife and the CEO of Gobak Film. She’s the Eight’s emotional anchor—firm yet warm, patient yet sharply realistic. Through her, Kang brings grounded humanity to the drama, balancing frustration and quiet loyalty.
Park Hae Joon steps into the role of Hwang Jin-man, Dong-man’s older brother, a former poet who has resigned himself to a life of odd jobs and quiet despair. His restrained performance captures the hollow fatigue of a man who has crashed into the limits of his own dreams. His painful yet tender brotherly bond with Dong-man is set to leave a lingering ache.
A Drama About Embracing the Parts We Hide
The production team shared that We Are All Trying Here centers on people frozen by feelings of insignificance who slowly learn to breathe again by embracing one another’s flaws. By confronting envy and jealousy head-on, the drama aims to deliver reflection, catharsis, and warmth in equal measure.
Featuring a cast at the top of their game, Park Hae-young’s incisive writing, and Cha Young-hoon’s heart-filled direction, the series is ready to turn even life’s bleakest moments into something quietly dazzling.
We Are All Trying Here is slated to premiere on JTBC in the first half of 2026.
The post JTBC Assembles Stellar Cast Promising a Drama That Turns Insecurity Into Impact appeared first on kdramadiary.
JTBC Assembles Stellar Cast Promising a Drama That Turns Insecurity Into Impact
Source: Pinoy Student Wars
0 Comments