The plot of We Are All Trying Here follows Hwang Dong-man, an aspiring filmmaker whose life has become stagnant. His peers have succeeded, but he remains constant. One day, he meets Byeon Eun, an emotionally fractured producer. Somehow, they form a connection, which is what creates the very core of the plot of We Are All Trying Here- two people with seemingly similar fates in life. Their connection is based on the fact that they recognize each other with a shared sense of emotional exhaustion and self-doubt. What the makers have also gone on to show is that even the so-called successful people surrounding Hwang Dong-man and Byeon Eun are not at all at peace. Their emotional struggle, though different, is similar to these two in some way or another.
The plot of We Are All Trying Here explores the themes of jealousy, something that limited dramas or movies show us. We have seen many regular themes, such as grief, guilt, and sadness. Showcasing different stages of jealousy is a whole other ball game, which the makers have done beautifully through their characters. There is a different sense of jealousy factor that people in the movie undergo. And that is what shows us the reality of life. In doing so, the makers have also ensured that there is no melodrama that takes place. Immaculately, the theme has been explored well.
What also caught my eye was how beautifully there was character development in both leads. Their journey till the time they find each other and beyond has been captured well to showcase the significant development in their overall characters. There is a sharp contrast in what the characters were before they found each other and what they became once they found each other. It also marks a crucial position in the tone in which the plot moved before and after the characters met each other. Their combined energies, their bond, and how they found solace in each other also form a crucial part of what we get to see. Such soulful character development is a great watch for all of us who are looking for something nice and mature in a plot.
When it comes to overall acting, Koo Kyo-hwan shines in the role of Dong-man. Since the character is shown to be restless, in a competition with the rest of the world, that display of emotions has been done well by him. On the other hand, Go Youn-jung's contrasting role creates a balance that makes both the characters worth remembering even after the credits begin to roll. All in all, the performance by the star cast is great.
The only thing that goes against the show is its pacing. The entire show moves at an inert pace, which creates annoyance and disruption in the viewing experience. I wish the makers had also focused on the pacing. A plot that moves at an even speed is worth watching. That doesn’t mean We Are All Trying Here isn’t worth it. If you are someone who can ignore this, then watching the show isn’t an issue as such.
Final Score- [7/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Ch
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times