Episode 4 continues to carry the main leads and their fragility. We see the characters’ reflections and repressions. A gradual confrontation leads to emotional release as well.
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We Are All Trying Here Netflix Cast
Koo Kyo-hwan, Go Youn-jung, Oh Jung-se, Kang Mal-geum, Park Hae-joon, Bae Jong-ok
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We Are All Trying Here Kdrama Director
Cha Young-hoon
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We Are All Trying Here Series Screenwriter
Park Hae-young
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Original Title
모두가 자신의 무가치함과 싸우고 있다, Everyone Is Fighting Against Their Own Worthlessness
We Are All Trying Here Episode 4 Review
Quick Recap
Dong-man wakes up feeling good after Eun-a’s reassuring him the last night. He feels lighter and hopeful. He believes that he isn’t entirely a destructive person. Eun-a, on the other hand, tries to move in her professional life. She endures criticism at work but also offers encouragement to her Director, showing how kind she is. We also see a hint that suggests both Eun-a and Dong-man share the same emotional condition.
As Eun-a and Dong-man board the train, they engage in an intimate conversation, discussing their emotions and revealing their internal struggles. Dong-man shows how insecure he is, and we see the psychological impact he’s going through. Meanwhile, Gyeong-se lashes out at Dong-man publicly because he couldn’t handle the mockery.
Also read: Perfect Crown Episode 6 Review: Buried Secrets Come Out
A scandal involving Oh Jeong-hui, an actress, springs up, and it has a connection with Eun-a’s past. It shows her childhood abandonment. As tensions rise at her work for Eun-a and for Dong-man, his fight with his brother, we see how the two heal each other and become each other’s comfort.
Performances
The performances of the actors feel raw in this episode. Kyo-hwan delivers the vulnerability of Dong-man in a challenging manner. His being his authentic self around Eun-a and his breakdown at the bar show that he is finally acknowledging his emotions. He is self-aware of his feelings and how he is destroying himself.
Eun-a’s character is striking in a way that the introverts would love her so much. Her subtle expressions that hide so much pain show how strong she is. Her life is a mess, but she still shows kindness to people, and that’s the best part about her. Her silence speaks louder than her words. Her past trauma is also developed in this episode, and it shows more prominence in her character sketch.
Themes
Themes of identity and the search for truth are well observed in this episode. Both leads are emotionally suppressed. Both of them are searching for who they truly are. Dong-man feels he is destructive and is a very bad guy, but with Eun-a’s kind words, he realises he is a human after all who goes through emotions.
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Likewise, Eun-a has been abandoned her whole life. She is now beginning to believe she is meant to be alone and that all her struggles are something she deserves. But with the way Dong-man is hanging around her, she is starting to believe that people around her need her and she has value in others’ lives. Her self-doubts are slowly decreasing.
Direction
The direction is effective in this episode, even if it was subtle. The emotional intensity was present via dialogue and the intense conversations between Dong-man and Eun-a. The way Dong-man looks so hyper and Eun-a being super silent shows the contrast between humans. The physical and emotional aspects are also well directed.
The storytelling is visually good as well. Eun-a’s nosebleeds add depth to the story, showing how physically her stress is affecting her. Many symbols are shown in this episode, and the scandal is a great addition to show the emotional struggles of the characters. Dong-man fighting with his brother adds a humanistic touch because who won’t fight with siblings?
Also read: Perfect Crown Episode 8 Review: Scandals Ruin Everything
Cons
The narrative feels a bit stuffed. Yep, the different storylines are constantly being juggled, and it isn’t getting enough attention. Also, the scandal needed more buildup for the emotional aspect to be felt. Gyeong-se’s reaction is something to be studied in man. Because I feel the depth of his character is missing, and so it makes me feel why his character is given a vile vibe.
At some places, the story feels predictable. Mental health is a serious matter, indeed. But the show’s story feels predictable since human emotion is common for everyone. Something new needs to be added to make the series feel more genuine.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this episode is crafted pretty well, with a balance between real emotions and conflicts. Though the storylines are constantly juggled, we are still able to grasp the whole essence of the series’ idea.
Its thematic richness and strong direction are something to note. Since the series is mostly connected to exploring people’s identities, it is relatable and resonates well with the viewers.