Director Cha Young Hun delves into the making of JTBC and Netflix's We Are All Trying Here, a series that explores the complexities of masculine isolation and the fear of mediocrity. Through a powerhouse male ensemble, Koo Kyo Hwan, Oh Jung Se, and Park Hae Joon, the show investigates how different men process worthlessness.
The K-drama follows Hwang Dong Man, an aspiring film director struggling with anxiety, envy, and fear of failure, as he finds unexpected emotional refuge in Byeon Eun Ah, a sharp film producer dealing with her own trauma.
Cha Young Hun shares his approach to directing the actors, including Koo Kyo Hwan's balancing act between Dong Man's loud, abrasive mask and deep private emptiness, and Oh Jung Se's portrayal of Park Gyeong Se's devastating breakdown.
The director also discusses the intentional physical vocabulary of brotherhood between Jin Man and Dong Man, and the nuances of actor-driven tears. He reveals his own fears and insecurities, which he believes helped Oh Jung Se tap into Gyeong Se's desperation.
We Are All Trying Here refuses a "magical cure" or a massive, satisfying career triumph for Dong Man, instead offering a powerful and comforting message: everyone is fighting against feelings of worthlessness, and it's okay to struggle.
