We Are All Trying Here 2026 Full Review

A struggling director fights to find success while watching all of his close friends debut before him. As he tries to stay positive and continue chasing his dream, he meets a burned out producer. The pair bond over their similar career paths and participation in a study that requires them to wear something called an emotion watch. And as their relationship develops, they will both have a chance to dig into their traumatic pasts and learn to understand their own feelings as well as the feelings of those around them.

Koo Kyo Hwan as Hwang Dong Man

Hwang Dong Man is an aspiring screenwriter and director. But it has been 20 years since he graduated, and among his former classmates, who refer to themselves as the "Group of Eight", Dong Man is the only one who has not yet debuted. The stress of this fact has left Dong Man feeling worthless and often confrontational with his friends. Following the death of his parents while he was in college, Dong Man lives with his divorced older brother. But his brother's unstable mental health only adds to Dong Man's anxiety. 

When Dong Man has a few chance encounters with Eun A, a quiet producer who lives in his neighborhood, he feels like he has finally met someone who sees him for who he is and likes him anyway. As he shares his honest thoughts and feelings with her, he begins to learn more about himself. And her belief in him and his writing gives him hope that maybe it isn't too late for him after all.

Hwang Dong Man is loud, rude, and critical. But all of this brash behavior covers his low self-esteem and sensitivity. He is a person who is so empathetic that he absorbs the feelings of others and reflects those feelings back to them. And because of this, he is often confused about how he actually feels because his feelings are so tangled up with others. Koo Kyo Hwan is such a dynamic, and unique actor. I have really enjoyed him in every role I have seen him play, and this one is no exception. I can't really imagine any other actor who could have pulled off this extremely complex character in such a likable and charming way.

Go Youn Jung as Byeon Eun A

As a child, Byeon Eun A was abandoned by both of her parents and forced to live alone for 28 days, leaving her with severe trauma. Her father eventually came back for her, but when he died early, Eun A lived with her stepmom and step-grandmother. As an adult, she lives with her step-grandmother, caring for her as best she can. She is an assistant producer where all of Dong Man's friends have worked. She was once the favorite employee of Dong Hyeon, the  CEO, because of her sharp insight, earning her the nickname "The Ax". But she has gradually lost his favor for speaking her own mind and freely disagreeing with him. 

Eun A was the assistant producer who read all of Dong Man's scripts, and she spoke very highly of his last edited version, although Dong Hyeon refused to hear her opinions. She and Dong Man often run into each other walking home from work, since they live near each other. Although it felt awkward in the beginning, they slowly begin to grow closer. And the more they talk, the more they find they have in common. And as Eun A opens her heart, she begins to find healing.

Byeon Eun A is quiet and introspective. And because of the wounds from her childhood trauma, she has lost the ability to understand her own feelings. Her therapist recommended that she join an experimental program, using a watch that is programmed to identify your emotions and give each one a name. And that watch, along with her budding romance with Dong Man, helps her to finally get in touch with what she is feeling and thinking.Go Youn Jung's career has really taken off over the last few years and she has played some very interesting roles. I liked her in this one and I thought she fit the character well.

Oh Jung Se as Park Gyeong Se

Park Gyeong Se was Dong Man's best friend in college. But after Gyeong Se married and had a film debut, Dong Man became increasingly critical of Gyeong Se. Now they are sworn enemies who can barely stand to be in the same room together. 

 Park Hae Joon as Hwang Jin Man

Hwang Jin Man is Dong Man's older brother. He was once a successful poet, husband, and father to a daughter he doted on. But when his wife took their daughter and left him, his life fell apart. Now he lives with Dong Man in a single-room apartment, makes money as a day worker, and drinks away his nights. His increasing depression has led to several attempts to end his own life. But Dong Man has been able to save him every time.

Bae Jong Ok as O Jeong Hui

O Jeong Hui is a famous actress who also happens to be Eun A's biological mother. And while Eun A's whole life has been impacted by her mom's abandonment, Jeong Hui feels absolutely no remorse about what she has done. But when Eun A tries to ban her from being cast in a movie she helped write, Jeong Hui will be forced to face the daughter she left behind.

Food for Thoughts

This is one of those dramas that is so full of complicated themes and concepts, that there always seems to be another layer. Even after finishing it, I am still finding new connections and ideas I didn't put together before. I love a show that leaves me with plenty to mull over and this drama did that for me.

Technology

This drama gave an intersting perspective on technology, focusing on both the pros and cons. For the pro, we see Eun A and Dong Man wearing a watch that can help them learn to get in touch with their own feelings. And in the case of Eun A, she was able to grow until she no longer needed it to understand herself. That is a terrific use of AI to help with mental health struggles. But on the con side, we see the writers, particularly Yeong Su, worried that AI may very soon replace them as script writers. This is a very real threat to those who spent their lives learning to craft and create. I appreciated the nod to both sides of this complicated issue.

Dong Man

I really appreciated how Dong Man's character is slowly revealed in this drama. I don't think I ever hated Dong Man, but I certainly found myself wondering why he had to be so rude to his friends. It was understandable that they were all sick of him, based on his actions. But as we begin to see how Dong Man got to this place, it's much easier to sympathize with him. I felt like that sympathy was far more impactful since I also sided with his friends in the beginning. 

Jin Man Closure

I felt so bad for Jin Man through this whole drama. While Jeong Hui willingly gave up Eun A and never suffered a day of guilt for it, Jin Man lost his daughter, through no fault of his own, and it's left him completely broken and devastated. But after watching his struggle, I wish we could have seen a bit more of an ending than he found out she was alive, went back to writing, and now everything is fine. 

Jae Yeong

Obviously I despised Eun A's ex, Jae Yeong, since he showed us absolutely nothing we should like about him. But I kept wondering why his animosity felt so brutal. I mean maybe he was just insecure and selfish. But he tells Eun A he wishes she was dead. That felt like more than just misplaced jealousy. I kept waiting for a big reveal of something bigger that contributed to their break up, but nothing showed up. 

Mi Ran

Poor Mi Ran is the poster girl for unrequited relationships. As a crush, a sister, or a daughter, no one seems as interested in her as she is in them. After watching her lose out in every relationship she tried, I was really intrigued by her connection with Jin Man. It seemed more kindred soul than romantic interest, but it felt special and different from her other relationships, where she tried to force emotions that just weren't returned. I wish we had seen these two strike up a lasting friendship that could have brought healing into both their lives.

'We Are All Trying Here' ends with Dong Man finally getting his big chance. And as he finally starts filming his debuted, he finally begins to understand the stress and frustration each of his friends must have went through during their own debuts. Gyeong Se finds reconciliation both with his wife and Dong Man. And Eun A graduates from wearing her emotion watch and has learned not to let toxic people hurt her anymore. She continues helping Dong Man and other writers create strong, interesting scripts. 

When it's finally finished, we see Dong Man's movie debut, and the whole gang is there to watch. Each of them looks totally absorbed in the story, and it's obvious that their feelings and opinions about Dong Man have shifted now that he has joined the ranks of published director. The final scene shows Dong Man winning the award for best new director, and although he forgets his whole acceptance speak, he remembers to give a shout out to his brother, niece, and Eun A. And that feels like enough!

'We Are All Trying Here' is a slow-paced romantic drama that digs into issues of trauma and emotional understanding. I really liked this quirky, slice of life story. The characters are carefully written to reflect realistic, complex personalities. The acting is amazing and the dialogue is thoughtful and intentional.

But these slow, slice of life dramas don't appeal to everyone. Some found the deep, emotional themes depressing and the lack of a central plot line boring. Dramas like this are more interested in stimulating your thoughts and feelings than keeping you entertained. However, if you love a good character-driven drama, this one will not disappoint. I give 'We Are All Trying Here' a 5 out of 5 ramen.

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