We Are All Trying Here episode 1 shows Dong-man, a struggling director, battling failure, doubt, and setbacks as he continues chasing his long-delayed debut.
On April 18, We Are All Trying Here premiered its first episode on Netflix. This opening chapter already captures the weight of the series’ title. Dong-man has spent 20 years chasing a career as a film director, yet he has never debuted or directed a single project. He keeps pushing forward, but he always seems one step behind the people he started with.
Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers and key details from the series. Read at your own risk.
We Are All Trying Here Episode 1 Recap: Dong-man’s Struggle to Stay Afloat
We Are All Trying Here episode 1 opens with a frustrated producer entering his office late at night. He pauses, gathers himself, then sits down and starts working on his laptop. Elsewhere, Gyeong-se sits alone in an empty bar. He wrestles with anxiety over his upcoming film premiere. Moreover, he fixates on his so-called muse, Hwang Dong-man, an aspiring director who keeps invading his thoughts.
Their tension traces back to a chaotic night at Director Choi’s kimchi stew restaurant. Dong-man claimed he hated spicy food, yet he devoured everything in sight. In addition, his loud and carefree attitude stole the spotlight. As a result, Gyeong-se failed to share his own stories.
Things worsen when Gyeong-se quietly confides in a colleague about his fears. He admits his film might not succeed. However, Dong-man overhears the conversation. He responds with a smile and a joke, warning Gyeong-se that he might end up like him.
Meanwhile, their lives move in opposite directions. Gyeong-se thrives in his prime. In contrast, Dong-man struggles to get by. He wakes up late and tries to slip out of his apartment. However, his landlord catches him and demands unpaid rent. At work, Dong-man lectures aspiring screenwriters. He presents poverty as a blessing from the gods. He argues that hardship shapes better writers through real experience. Nevertheless, his own life tells a harsher story.
Dong-man lives in constant financial stress. Success continues to evade him. Furthermore, he owes money to loan sharks. He borrowed the money to pay for his cat’s surgery. Now, threats loom over him, forcing him to find cash quickly. Despite everything, Dong-man holds on to one dream. He wants to join “The Eight,” a prestigious group of top directors. Notably, Gyeong-se already belongs to this elite circle.
Dong-man Faces Rejection and a Glimmer of Hope
Among the group, everyone boasts awards and successful screenplays—everyone except Dong-man. He stands out for the wrong reasons. He has not even made his debut, which makes his presence feel out of place. At dinner, his frustration surfaces. Gyeong-se confronts him and questions his talent. Moreover, he criticizes Dong-man for repeating the same story, especially his idea about the “emotion watch.”
The tension escalates quickly in We Are All Trying Here episode 1. The dinner is meant to celebrate Gyeong-se’s film release. However, Dong-man’s loud behavior irritates everyone at the table. In addition, Gyeong-se struggles to keep his composure. When Dong-man casually offers congratulations, it only makes things worse. As a result, Gyeong-se storms outside. He dwells on the encounter and decides that Dong-man’s screenplay, Weather Maker, lacks value.
Most of the group agrees. They push to cut ties with Dong-man and move on. However, Jun-hwan takes a different stance. He shows some sympathy, though he stands alone in that view. Elsewhere, Byeon Eun-a overhears the entire discussion.
She works as a producer at Choi Film and carries the nickname “The Ax” due to her brutal script critiques. Recently, however, she has lost her sharp edge. Furthermore, her boss criticizes her for her declining performance.
Later, Eun-a heads home and unexpectedly runs into Dong-man. He dances near a railway crossing, lost in his music. Their interaction starts awkwardly. Nevertheless, Dong-man opens up. He explains that talking helps him feel alive. In fact, when he has no one to talk to, he shouts from the rooftop.
Surprisingly, Eun-a reveals that she has heard him before. Eventually, she asks to read his screenplay. Dong-man reacts with shock. His emotion watch buzzes nonstop, reflecting his rising feelings.
Dong-man Risks Everything on One Shot
Dong-man puts all his hopes into his screenplay, Weather Maker. He secures a spot as a finalist at the 2025 Korean Film Association. If he wins, he will receive major funding to produce the film. Naturally, the pressure weighs on him. He practices his speech whenever he can. However, his nerves never settle.
At a bus stop, Dong-man reflects on his mistakes. He questions what he could have done better. Moreover, his thoughts drift to Gyeong-se. He grows bitter over the success of Gyeong-se’s film, Sister Vengeance, which performs well at the box office.
His resentment deepens. Dong-man convinces himself that Gyeong-se put little effort into the film. Later that night, he attends Gyeong-se’s celebration dinner. There, he openly criticizes the production. In addition, he makes no attempt to lower his voice.
The situation escalates quickly. Dong-man mocks the lead actress and points out her supposed lisp. As a result, she confronts him directly. His lack of experience becomes impossible to ignore, especially since he has never directed a major film.
The tension overwhelms him. He creates a scene and storms out of the party. Moments later, he runs down the street, shouting in frustration and cursing everything around him.
Eun-a Sees the Truth of Dong-man in We Are All Trying Here Episode 1
The next day, Gyeong-se cannot shake his anger. Dong-man’s behavior at the premiere still irritates him. As a result, his frustration spills into his driving. He lashes out at a random man and chases him down the street. Gyeong-se crashes into a street sign and knocks himself out.
Meanwhile, Dong-man wakes up in a haze. He reflects on his recent actions and feels overwhelmed. Nevertheless, a small shift begins elsewhere. As the sun rises, Eun-a finishes reading his screenplay. To her surprise, she likes it.
Soon after, Dong-man meets Eun-a at Choi Film. Choi Dong-hyun, the head of the company, orders Eun-a to tear the script apart in front of him. At first, she hesitates. However, she eventually points out its flaws. She highlights the weak character motivations. In addition, she stresses the need for stronger, more compelling figures. She delivers a harsh truth: a creator cannot express what they do not possess.
Back at her desk, Eun-a suffers a nosebleed as her emotion watch glows red. Meanwhile, Choi unleashes his anger on Dong-man. He criticizes him for wasting two decades chasing a dream with nothing to show for it.
Afterward, Dong-man returns home. He tries to numb the pain with food, but the emptiness lingers. Elsewhere, Eun-a sits at a bar. She listens as members of “The Eight” mock Dong-man. They complain about his constant criticism and loud personality. However, Eun-a understands the reason behind his behavior. She snaps at them and walks away.
If he doesn’t say anything, he’d feel like he doesn’t even exist.
Episode 1 of We Are All Trying Here carries a quiet ache. It follows people who keep pushing forward but never quite reach where they want to be. The message lingers: no matter how hard—or how often—you try, success can still feel out of reach. Yet they persist. They continue to prove, to themselves and to others, that they are capable, even when the world suggests otherwise.
Catch the next episode of the series on April 29 on Netflix. It airs every Saturday and Sunday at 10:40 PM KST and 9:40 PM PHT.
Sources: JTBC Drama, JTBC (Instagram)
