We Are All Trying Here Episode 1-2 Review
Director: Cha Young-hoon
Date Created: 2026-04-20 03:41
4.5
We Are All Trying Here Episode 1-2 Review: Directed by Cha Young-hoon and written by Park Hae-young, Netflix Korean drama 모두가 자신의 무가치함과 싸우고 있다 is led by Koo Kyo-hwan as Hwang Dong-man and Go Youn-jung as Byeon Eun-a. They are joined by Oh Jung-se as Park Gyeong-se, Kang Mal-geum as Ko Hye-jin, Park Hae-joon as Hwang Jin-man and others in key roles.
We Are All Trying Here Episode 1 Recap
In Episode 1 of We Are All Trying Here kdrama, the atmosphere is set in the tone of anxiety, as depicted by the scene involving the producer staying up late into the night and appearing quite frustrated. This sense of frustration then seeps into the domain of films, as Park Gyeong-se is shown getting anxious about the upcoming release of his movie. Although he is already well-known in the industry, he still appears to lack confidence, particularly when Hwang Dong-man comes up in discussion.
It can be easily understood from an experience during dinner in which Dong-man’s boisterous nature took precedence over everyone else present. The occasion, which was meant to be relaxed, became a solo performance. This resentment is further fueled by Gyeong-se’s listening to someone say that his movie might be a flop.
At the same time, there is a sharp difference in the life of Dong-man. This man faces serious financial problems, avoiding his landlord in order to pursue his goal of becoming a director. He tutors potential writers, using suffering as a means of character building, but it is clear that failure begins to burden him. There is always someone chasing him for money while he holds on to his manuscript called Weather Maker.
The situation worsens when it is time for Gyeong-se’s film party, in which Dong-man vents his frustration by criticising everyone present. With his aggressive nature and inability to keep himself under control, he creates an awkward situation, ending up leaving in a huff. Both are affected differently by the event. By the end of Episode 1 of We Are All Trying Here, the change in their lives is brought about by a lady producer named Byeon Eun-a, famous for her harsh comments. She appreciates the story written by Dong-man, seeing some promise and hope in it despite its shortcomings.
We Are All Trying Here Episode 2 Recap
We Are All Trying Here Episode 2 examines the emotions that have resulted from Dong-man’s decisions. The episode opens with a hint of a confrontation, but upon closer examination, the scene is not quite what one might expect. Nevertheless, the emotions have taken their toll on Dong-man, who is visibly upset by the scolding he has received.
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However, his sense of connection starts falling apart when he visits a place he used to consider his sanctuary. Ko Hye-jin lets him know that his presence at that point was too much for her, making him feel guilty for the way he made her feel. It was hard on Dong-man, knowing that the last few places he considered home were being stripped from him.
While all of this is happening, Byeon Eun-a’s own difficulties are also being brought into clear focus. While at work, she finds herself the recipient of criticisms from her supervisor, as well as gossip from co-workers about her skills, saying that she seems to have lost her razor-sharp qualities. When she visits her doctor, the magnitude of her emotional weariness comes to light, with stress and emotions having a very physical impact.
Episode 2 of We Are All Trying Here ends on an optimistic note since Dong-man encounters Eun-a once again. The exchanges of Dong-man and Eun-a may seem simple; however, it is important that the exchange ends in an innocent act on the part of Eun-a, who gives a lunch box to Dong-man. This act makes Dong-man extremely happy.
We Are All Trying Here Episode 1-2 Review
We Are All Trying Here Episodes 1 and 2 were quite easy for me to write since these episodes have stuck with me even after watching them. Episode 1 was particularly addictive to watch because of the sudden transition from being hilarious to brutally honest in an instant. Laughing at Dong-man’s madness is one thing; being able to feel the sadness that comes with loneliness was quite another. The blend worked perfectly without seeming too contrived.
But I must admit this—I am an avid fan of writer Park Hae-young, and I could immediately sense her unique style in this series. Her dialogues are simply on a different plane altogether. They don’t make a loud noise, but they resonate deep within you. Just like her earlier works, there is a certain level of realism about the dialogues in this TV drama, as if you were eavesdropping on real conversations. It has that certain honesty in its emotional expression, which I found so touching once again.
And lastly, the acting itself is brilliant. Koo Kyo-hwan’s portrayal of Dong-man is absolutely fantastic. He manages to exude the rawness of the character without hiding his fragility and innocence. This dichotomy in his acting adds so much to each of his scenes, and I am thoroughly invested whenever he appears on screen. Meanwhile, Go Youn-jung’s performance as Eun-a is understated yet powerful. Without any unnecessary flair, her acting is captivating enough to make her standout scenes. It’s hard not to be amazed by how well their chemistry works.
The way in which this moment between the two characters was portrayed really brought out the writing and acting in a much more positive light for me, episode two in particular. Although there isn’t necessarily an element of romance and drama here, there is something about it that just brings you into it and makes you feel a connection forming.
We Are All Trying Here Review (Episodes 1-2 ): Summing Up
Overall, what I love about Netflix’s kdrama We Are All Trying Here is that they aren’t just giving you a plot, but actually making you feel what the characters are feeling. Knowing what this author has done before, I’m excited to see where this goes because I know it will just continue to intensify emotionally.
