South Korean actor Oh Jung Se opened up about his new role in the upcoming JTBC drama “We Are All Trying Here.” He shared that his character, a successful film director, actually struggles with deep feelings of worthlessness and constantly tries to prove himself.
The drama tells the story of Hwang Dong Man (played by Koo Kyo Hwan), a man who believes he is the only one among his friends whose life is not working out. He feels intense envy and jealousy toward his successful peers and goes on a journey to find peace. The show uses “anxiety” as its main theme and looks at people who feel left behind.
Oh Jung Se Calls His Character An Adult Who Is Still Growing
Oh Jung Se plays Park Kyung Se, a director who has made five feature-length films and belongs to a group of eight top filmmakers. But things start to crack after his latest movie fails badly at the box office.
The actor described his character in a simple but powerful way.
“He may appear successful, but he is constantly striving to prove his worth—either to climb higher or to avoid falling from where he stands.” – Oh Jung Se on his character Park Kyung Se
Oh Jung Se also called Park Kyung Se “an adult who is still growing.” He explained that every line his character speaks has value, so he wanted to deliver them exactly as written. He admitted, “It almost felt like I was pressuring myself, so I aimed to portray about 98 percent of them faithfully.”
The Strange Relationship Between A Struggling Director And A Successful One
One of the most interesting parts of the drama is the relationship between Hwang Dong Man and Park Kyung Se. Hwang Dong Man has spent 20 years trying to become a director without any success. Park Kyung Se, on the other hand, has achieved a lot but still feels anxious.
Oh Jung Se shared a surprising view of this dynamic. He said that while others see Hwang Dong Man as someone full of insecurities, Park Kyung Se actually sees him as “another version of himself.”
“They support and envy each other at the same time—an indispensable relationship. That’s why, to Park Kyung Se, Hwang Dong Man is an ‘OK cut’ that can’t be edited out of his life.” – Oh Jung Se
This creates both funny moments and sad ones. Both characters try to hide their insecure sides from each other. Park Kyung Se reacts strongly to almost everything Hwang Dong Man says or writes. The production team noted that Oh Jung Se brings this complex inner world to life with great attention to detail.
Working Again With A Trusted Director
“We Are All Trying Here” marks a reunion between Oh Jung Se and director Cha Young Hoon. They previously worked together on the popular drama “When the Camellia Blooms.”
Oh Jung Se shared his feelings about working with the director again. He said he felt grateful and at ease to reunite with someone he worked with on such a good project. He added that the director provided strong guidance while still giving the actors freedom to perform.
The drama is written by Park Hae Young, who wrote the critically acclaimed shows “My Mister” (2018) and “My Liberation Notes” (2022). This combination of writer and director has raised expectations for the show.
Strong Chemistry With The Full Cast
Oh Jung Se also talked about working with the other seven members of the filmmaker group in the drama. He said the interactions felt very real, as if actual film directors had been brought together. This allowed him to enjoy every scene comfortably.
He expressed deep respect for actress Kang Mal Geum, who plays his wife Go Hye Jin. She is the CEO of the production company Gobak Film and serves as the anchor for the group. Oh Jung Se said working with her was a special experience.
“It was a very special experience as I was able to feel emotions beyond what I had imagined while reading the script at my desk. I often encountered raw, unfiltered emotions that could only be experienced on set.” – Oh Jung Se about working with Kang Mal Geum
Kang Mal Geum’s character keeps both Hwang Dong Man and Park Kyung Se in check. She delivers sharp, honest remarks that force them to face reality. But underneath, she has deep affection for films and the people in her life.
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What To Expect From The Drama
Oh Jung Se showed strong confidence in “We Are All Trying Here.” He made a bold promise to viewers.
“Even after watching just two episodes, you’ll find yourself recommending this drama to someone.” – Oh Jung Se
He also suggested that if time allows, viewers should watch the whole show in one go. The drama will have 12 episodes and deals with very human problems like envy, jealousy, and the feeling of being left behind while others succeed.
The cast also includes Go Youn Jung as Byeon Eun Ah, a sharp production company PD known as “Axe,” and Park Hae Joon as Hwang Jin Man, the older brother of the main character. Veteran actress Bae Jong Ok and Han Sun Hwa also join the cast in key roles.
“We Are All Trying Here” is set to premiere on April 18 at 10:40 p.m. KST on JTBC. The show will also be available for streaming on Netflix in selected regions. Viewers in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and India can check their local Netflix listings for availability starting April 18.
Also Read: Ahn Hyo Seop Returns to Light Romantic Comedy After 3 Years with New Drama ‘Sold Out on You’
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