JTBC’s new weekend drama “We Are All Trying Here” will officially premiere on April 18 at 10:40 p.m. KST. The series brings together acclaimed writer Park Hae Young and director Cha Young Hoon for a story about envy, self-worth, and the quiet battles people fight every day. Netflix will stream the drama globally shortly after the Korean broadcast .
Release Date and Streaming Details Confirmed
The drama confirmed its exact premiere date through official announcements on March 10. “We Are All Trying Here” will air every Friday and Saturday night on JTBC, following the network’s weekend drama slot. Each episode will run approximately 70 minutes .
Netflix confirmed the series as part of its 2026 Korean content lineup during its January slate announcement. The streaming platform will release two episodes weekly, making them available to global audiences within hours of the Korean broadcast. This marks another collaboration between JTBC and Netflix following successful partnerships on previous dramas .
The drama consists of 12 episodes total. Production began in October 2025 and wrapped up filming in early 2026 to ensure post-production quality before the April premiere .
Star-Studded Cast Takes on Complex Roles
Koo Kyo Hwan leads the cast as Hwang Dong Man, an aspiring film director who has spent 20 years trying to debut. He is the only member of the famous film circle “Group of Eight” who has not yet directed a feature film. Koo takes on his first leading role in a television drama after memorable supporting performances in “D.P.” and “Parasyte: The Grey” .
Go Youn Jung plays Byun Eun Ah, a film producer at Choi Film known for her sharp script reviews that earned her the nickname “the axe.” She appears calm on the surface but suffers from emotional overload that manifests physically. Her character finds healing through her connection with Dong Man. Go recently starred in “Can This Love Be Translated?” and previously gained attention for “Alchemy of Souls” and “Sweet Home” .
Oh Jung Se takes on the role of Park Kyung Se, a film director whose relationship with Dong Man mixes affection with resentment. Kang Mal Geum appears as Go Hye Jin, CEO of Gobak Film and Park Kyung Se’s wife who runs the restaurant where the friend group gathers. Park Hae Joon completes the main cast as Hwang Jin Man, Dong Man’s older brother and a former poet now living in isolation .
Creative Team Behind the Drama
Writer Park Hae Young returns to television with her first project since “My Liberation Notes.” She previously wrote critically acclaimed dramas including “My Mister” and “Another Miss Oh.” Her work consistently explores internal human struggles with emotional depth and restraint .
Director Cha Young Hoon takes charge of production after directing “Welcome to Samdal-ri” and the hit drama “When the Camellia Blooms.” His visual style focuses on grounded emotions and intimate character moments that complement Park’s writing style .
The production involves multiple companies working together. SLL, Studio Flow, Studio Phoenix, and Chorokbaem Media jointly handle production duties. This collaboration brings together experienced teams from previous successful dramas .
Story Explores Universal Feelings of Inadequacy
The drama centers on Hwang Dong Man, who watches his successful friends move forward while he remains stuck. Every achievement around him sharpens his awareness of what he has not accomplished. Jealousy creeps into his thoughts quietly, followed by envy that reminds him of stalled dreams and delayed chances .
Dong Man fills silence with constant talk and bravado to hide his anxiety. He wears a leather coat belonging to a World War II veteran every day as a form of personal resistance. His strange habits, like climbing a hill just to shout his own name, represent his fight against sinking into worthlessness .
The story follows his journey as he tries to steady his thoughts and convince himself that value does not depend on recognition. Through this struggle, the narrative examines whether peace comes from achievement or acceptance. The drama focuses on internal conflict rather than external competition .
Supporting Characters Add Depth
Han Sun Hwa joins the cast as Jang Mi Ran, a top film star whose presence affects the dynamics between the main characters. Choi Won Young appears as Choi代表, the head of Choi Film who serves as Byun Eun Ah’s boss .
The friend group known as the “Group of Eight” forms the core social circle in the drama. Each member represents different levels of success and different ways of coping with insecurity. Their interactions reveal how comparison affects relationships even among close friends .
The production team shared through promotional materials that the drama aims to speak directly to viewers who feel left behind in a competitive world. They described the show as offering “a green light in life” to those frozen at the warning signal of worthlessness.
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JTBC released the first teaser video on March 9 showing Koo Kyo Hwan’s character running through streets and shouting in frustration. The teaser captures his desperate need to be noticed and to leave a mark on the world. His line “When I can’t prove myself by being successful, I prove myself by falling apart” has drawn attention from viewers .
The title poster released earlier in March shows Dong Man sitting hunched over while his shadow throws a punch at an invisible force. The production team explained that the shadow represents the inner darkness that makes people feel worthless, while the fighting pose shows the daily battle against those feelings .
Promotional stills reveal the chemistry between Koo Kyo Hwan and Go Youn Jung’s characters. One image captures them looking at each other with a “STOP” sign in the frame, symbolizing a life momentarily at a standstill. The accompanying phrase reads, “When trapped, break through” .
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