“We Are All Trying Here” Is the K-Drama About Envy, Failure & Friendship That Feels Painfully Real

Ever scrolled through your friends' highlight reels and quietly wondered, "Why is everyone else's life working out except mine?" JTBC's upcoming drama "We Are All Trying Here" puts that exact…

By Reetam Bodhak

March 25, 2026

3 min read

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Ever scrolled through your friends’ highlight reels and quietly wondered, “Why is everyone else’s life working out except mine?” JTBC’s upcoming drama “We Are All Trying Here” puts that exact feeling at the center of its story — and the ensemble cast assembled to tell it is truly something special.

“We Are All Trying Here” — Cast & Character Guide

Character	Actor	Role
Hwang Dong Man	Koo Kyo Hwan	Aspiring film director; the only one who hasn’t made it
Park Kyung Se	Oh Jung Se	Successful film director; 20-year love-hate rival of Dong Man
Go Hye Jin	Kang Mal Geum	Head of Gobak Films; sharp, composed, the group’s backbone
Park Young Soo	Jeon Bae Soo	Eldest director; moral anchor of the group
Lee Jun Hwan	Sim Hee Sub	The only one who truly understands Dong Man
Choi Hyo Jin	Park Ye Ni	Planning producer worn out by Dong Man’s endless ramblings
Network / Premiere	JTBC	April 18, 2026 at 10:40 PM KST

Story That Will Hit Closer Than Expected

“We Are All Trying Here” tells the story of Hwang Dong Man, who — surrounded by successful friends — believes he is the only one whose life isn’t working out. Consumed by anguish, envy, and jealousy, he sets out on a journey in search of peace.

That premise alone is enough to make anyone pause. The drama centers on an eight-member group of filmmakers who began as college film club seniors and juniors. Today they are so well-known in the industry that almost everyone has heard of them — all except Hwang Dong Man, who has spent 20 years chasing his dream of becoming a film director.

What makes the character dynamics so compelling is the texture of each relationship. Park Kyung Se has released five films and achieved success — yet still loses his composure and is shaken by a single word from Hwang Dong Man, with whom he has had the most intense love-hate relationship for 20 years. Meanwhile, Lee Jun Hwan is the only member who truly understands Hwang Dong Man and looks after him carefully soompi — the kind of quiet loyalty that anchors any great ensemble story.

The group’s main meeting place — “Ajit,” a restaurant at Gobak Films — is where their rivalry and jealousy, friendship, and reconciliation collide in unfiltered ways.

The drama taps into something universal about imposter syndrome — the psychological experience of doubting one’s own accomplishments — placing it within Korea’s intensely competitive creative industry for maximum emotional impact.

For more upcoming K-drama previews, cast reveals, and premiere dates, head to TechnoSports and explore our latest Korean drama news.

FAQs

Q: When does “We Are All Trying Here” premiere on JTBC?

The drama premieres on April 18, 2026 at 10:40 PM KST on JTBC, led by Koo Kyo Hwan alongside Oh Jung Se, Kang Mal Geum, and Jeon Bae Soo.

Q: What is “We Are All Trying Here” about?

It follows an aspiring film director consumed by envy as he watches his entire friend group succeed in the industry while his own 20-year dream remains unfulfilled.