We Are All Trying Here- Episodes 1-2
Big Dreams, Bruised Egos, and a Chance Encounter
Episode 1 of We Are All Trying Here kicks off with tension already simmering, as a frustrated producer storms into his office late at night, clearly carrying the weight of something bigger. From there, we’re swept into the world of Gyeong-se, a successful screenwriter anxiously awaiting his movie premiere, yet somehow more preoccupied with one very specific person: the chaotic, unpredictable Dong-man.
Their history is anything but smooth. A past dinner at Director Choi’s restaurant still lingers in Gyeong-se’s mind, where Dong-man completely stole the spotlight with his loud personality and endless chatter. What should have been a relaxed evening quickly turned into a one-man show, leaving Gyeong-se quietly overshadowed and more than a little irritated.
Meanwhile, Dong-man’s life couldn’t be more different. He’s struggling to get by, dodging his landlord for unpaid rent and juggling odd teaching gigs where he passionately insists that poverty is actually a gift for writers. It’s a bold take… but one that doesn’t exactly pay the bills.
Despite his hardships and mounting debt from loan sharks after funding his cat’s surgery, Dong-man refuses to give up on his dream of becoming a director. He longs to join “The Eight,” an elite group of top filmmakers that includes Gyeong-se… even though he’s the only one who hasn’t officially debuted yet.
Things really heat up during a celebratory dinner for Gyeong-se’s film, where Dong-man’s bitterness bubbles over. His blunt criticism and inability to hold back create a tense atmosphere, leaving everyone uncomfortable and pushing Gyeong-se closer to his breaking point.
But just when it feels like Dong-man is burning every bridge in sight, we meet Eun-a, a sharp-tongued producer nicknamed “The Ax” for her brutally honest critiques. Their first meeting is unexpectedly quirky, filled with awkward but strangely charming conversation. When she offers to read his screenplay, it feels like the first real glimmer of hope Dong-man has had in a long time.
Still, reality hits hard. Dong-man’s screenplay, Weather Maker, may have potential, but Eun-a doesn’t hold back when pointing out its flaws, challenging him to dig deeper and create something truly powerful. At the same time, we see that Eun-a herself isn’t as unshakable as her reputation suggests, hinting that she’s fighting her own quiet battles.
By the end of the episode, both Dong-man and Eun-a are left feeling a little lost, a little bruised, and very unsure of what comes next. But there’s also a subtle spark between them; two people navigating failure, ambition, and the messy reality of chasing dreams.
And just like the title suggests… they really are all just trying here.
Rock Bottom, Rising Sparks, and a Little Bit of Hope
Episode 2 of We Are All Trying Here picks up right where the emotional chaos left off, with Dong-man spiraling hard after Choi’s brutal critique. His coping mechanism? Stuffing his face and dramatically shouting his own name into the void like he’s trying to summon a comeback arc out of thin air.
And honestly… things only get more chaotic from there.
In a twist that’s both painful and oddly hilarious, Dong-man ends up injured, not from a dramatic confrontation, but from slipping on his own screenplay and crashing face-first into a table. Now he’s stuck with a cast, a neck brace, and absolutely no dignity left to spare.
Of course, his shouting earns him a visit from the police thanks to a noise complaint, and watching him try (and fail) to explain himself is just another reminder that this man truly cannot catch a break.
Meanwhile, Eun-a is dealing with her own emotional storm. Between awkward family conversations hinting at a messy past relationship and mounting pressure at work, she’s clearly unraveling beneath her calm exterior. Her once razor-sharp confidence is slipping, and those constant nosebleeds are becoming impossible to ignore.
Back in the world of The Eight, things take a harsh turn. Gyeong-se leads the charge to officially cut Dong-man out of the group, calling him toxic and dragging everyone down. While a few hesitate, the overall mood is clear, Dong-man is on the outs.
And when Dong-man finally shows up, completely unaware of the verdict, the tension is almost unbearable. Hye-jin delivers the final blow with cold honesty, telling him outright that he ruins the atmosphere. It’s a brutal moment, and you can practically feel Dong-man’s heart shatter in real time.
As if that wasn’t enough, he hits an even lower point during his grandparents’ memorial, where family tensions bubble over and leave him feeling smaller than ever. It’s becoming painfully clear that Dong-man isn’t just struggling professionally, he’s completely lost in life.
Eun-a, on the other hand, is quietly fighting her own battle. A visit to a specialist reveals just how overwhelming her emotions have become, a dangerous mix of anger, sadness, and desperation that she’s been carrying since childhood. It’s heavy, raw, and gives us a deeper look at why she connects with Dong-man in the first place.
And speaking of connection… the two cross paths again at the railway, and this time, their conversation hits differently.
When Dong-man asks where he can find “power,” Eun-a gives him an unexpected answer: love. It’s simple, but it lands deeply, for both of them. She sees right through him, recognizing that his work lacks something real because he’s never truly experienced it.
But here’s where things start to shift.
Fueled by frustration (and maybe just a spark of inspiration), Dong-man storms into Choi’s office with a bold declaration. He demands respect, calls out the system, and promises to come back with something so brilliant it’ll make everyone regret underestimating him. It’s messy, a little dramatic, but undeniably powerful.
And for the first time in a while… Eun-a smiles.
By the end of the episode, something subtle but meaningful has changed. As they share a quiet moment over simple side dishes, both of their emotion watches flicker green; hinting that maybe, just maybe, they’ve found a small sense of comfort in each other.
It’s not a grand victory, but it’s a start.
Because sometimes, when everything else falls apart, all it takes is one person to make you feel like you’re not completely alone.
DramaZen's Opinion
Okay, I did not expect We Are All Trying Here to hook me this fast, but here we are. These first two episodes are chaotic in the best way possible, equal parts funny, frustrating, and weirdly emotional.
Dong-man is such a hot mess of a character, but that’s exactly why he works. He’s loud, impulsive, and constantly digging himself into deeper holes, yet you can’t help but root for him. Watching him spiral from embarrassing dinner outbursts to literally slipping on his own screenplay and injuring himself? Painful… but also kind of hilarious. At the same time, underneath all that chaos is someone who’s genuinely desperate to succeed and be taken seriously, and that part really hits.
Then there’s Gyeong-se, who honestly feels like the perfect contrast. He’s successful, polished, and clearly at the top of his game, but also super insecure when it comes to Dong-man. Their dynamic already feels layered, like there’s more history and tension waiting to explode.
But let’s talk about Eun-a, because she might quietly be the most interesting character so far. She comes off cold and sharp at first, but once we see what she’s dealing with internally, everything clicks. The nosebleeds, the pressure, that overwhelming mix of emotions she’s trying to control… it adds so much depth to her character. And the fact that she’s the only one who really gets Dong-man? I’m already invested.
What I love most is how messy and real everything feels. Nobody has their life together. Everyone is struggling in their own way, whether it’s career pressure, emotional burnout, or just trying to figure out where they belong. The drama doesn’t try to glamorize success, it actually leans into the awkward, uncomfortable journey of getting there.
And that ending moment in Episode 2? The quiet connection between Dong-man and Eun-a, with both of their emotion watches finally turning green… yeah, I felt that. It’s subtle, but it feels like the start of something meaningful.
Overall, these episodes feel like the beginning of a story about failure, growth, and finding someone who understands you when you feel completely lost and I’m already all in.
