Dong-man felt like a destructive person in We Are All Trying Here episode 3. However, when he saw Eun-a in danger, it proved otherwise.
On April 25, We Are All Trying Here episode 3 premiered on Netflix. This episode features more emotional confrontations between the characters. Dong-man tells Eun-a that he feels like he is always destructive. He also opens up to Yeong-su, saying that Gyeong-se is the one who should be talking about kindness.
Dong-man admits that instead of feeling belonged with his friends, he often feels anxious or fed up. This is why he keeps talking—to avoid those feelings. Meanwhile, when Dong-man sees an accident involving Eun-a, he suddenly realizes that he was never a destructive person. He never was.
Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers and key details from the series. Read at your own risk.
Dong-man Confronts His “Destructive” Nature in We Are All Trying Here Episode 3
We Are All Trying Here episode 3 opens at the AS Group Company Retreat. Dong-man works at the event, but he quickly slips away to pick up a new Emotion Watch model.
Meanwhile, Eun-a arrives at the retreat. She begins using the upgraded Ximfit device, which analyzes emotions she did not even realize she had. Later, she and Dong-man meet for coffee. They compare their emotional readings and talk openly about their moods.
Eun-a keeps her watch a secret at Choi Film. Moreover, she avoids discussing her psychological struggles with her colleagues. During their conversation, the topic shifts to identity. Dong-man boldly calls himself a “destructive person.”
He explains his reasoning. For example, when he witnessed a car accident, his Emotion Watch displayed “excitement.” This pattern confuses him. In addition, he notices that bad news often triggers positive emotions. Eun-a struggles to hold back her laughter as she listens.
Dong-man then leans into this label. He convinces himself that he is a bad influence. Furthermore, he starts embracing that identity. When Gyeong-se receives poor reviews for his film, Dong-man even dances in response.
However, he is not entirely detached. He still feels hurt by how The Eight dismiss him. Their rejection continues to affect him, even as he pretends not to care.
Gyeong-se Faces a Reality Check
Eun-a tells Dong-man that he looks like someone with “a thousand doors wide open.” Moreover, she surprises him by calling him cool. Dong-man has never heard praise like this before. As a result, he feels a strong emotional shift. His Emotion Watch turns green.
He quickly covers his watch out of embarrassment. However, Eun-a remains unfazed. She treats him casually and shows no judgment.
Later, Dong-man gains confidence. On his way home, he heads to the bar where The Eight gather. Furthermore, he sneaks in through the balcony. Inside, the group stays silent and tense. Dong-man then confronts Gyeong-se and pushes his wheelchair into the wall.
For the first time, Dong-man stands up for himself. However, his moment ends quickly. He leaves before things escalate further. Meanwhile, Gyeong-se continues promoting Sister Vengeance. Unfortunately, the film struggles. Early reviews turn negative. In addition, theaters reduce screenings compared to his previous works.
Gyeong-se takes the criticism personally. He reads reviews obsessively and even prints them out. Moreover, he carries them with him during a hike in Jirisan.
He also tries to improve ticket sales by giving away free tickets. However, the strategy fails. The advance screening numbers stall at around 300,000. Interestingly, Eun-a had already predicted this outcome after reading the script. Mr. Choi dismisses her comment as nothing more than a lucky guess.
We Are All Trying Here Episode 3 Recap: Jin-man Attempted to Kill Himself
Dong-man starts writing again. Moreover, he enjoys the process this time. He embraces his so-called “destructive” side. Later that night, he walks into a dinner where The Eight are gathered.
Gyeong-se immediately reacts with anger. He glares at Dong-man while Dong-man casually eats and drinks without hesitation. Dong-man even admits he enjoys watching Gyeong-se struggle.
As the conversation escalates, Gyeong-se brings up the group chat. He reveals that Dong-man still remains in it and has been insulting him there. Furthermore, he exposes a bigger shock—one-third of the harsh reviews he received came from Dong-man himself.
Gyeong-se snaps. He confronts Dong-man in fury. He even says he ran down the mountain just to face him. In addition, he plays the victim, insisting that Dong-man has nothing to lose while his own work stays exposed and vulnerable.
Later, Dong-man returns home frustrated. There, he finds Jin-man in a disturbing state. Empty soju bottles cover the table. Dong-man checks the bathroom and discovers Jin-man attempting to hang himself. He reacts quickly and pulls him back. He calms him down, though the moment stays tense and dangerous.
Eun-a Co-wrote Jun-hwan’s Screenplay
Meanwhile, Jun-hwan receives praise from Hye-jin. She calls his manuscript one of the best she has ever read. However, she quickly senses something off. She realizes another writer helped him.
She confronts him and points out that the dialogue reveals a second author. Moreover, she questions why he left that person uncredited. Jun-hwan becomes defensive and avoids answering clearly. Hye-jin warns him to fix the issue immediately, especially since the co-writer may not even know about the grant. She sees a problem forming and does not ignore it.
That co-writer turns out to be Eun-a. Later, Jun-hwan visits her. He notices Weather Maker on her desk, covered in her handwritten notes. Eun-a clearly feels uncomfortable seeing him.
Jun-hwan still refuses to admit her contribution. Their conversation hints at a troubling dynamic, including possible past mistreatment. Eun-a stands firm. She tells him to either remove her writing or credit her properly.
Jun-hwan reacts harshly. He lashes out and even wishes harm on her. At that moment, Eun-a’s nose begins to bleed. He continues insulting her, accusing her of being ashamed of Dong-man. Furthermore, he belittles her, saying she only survives on scraps.
Dong-man and Eun-a’s Emotions in We Are All Trying Here Episode 3
Elsewhere, Yeong-su approaches Dong-man and asks him to ease up on Gyeong-se. Moreover, he urges him to stop escalating tensions. Dong-man refuses. He explains his mindset clearly. He treats people like a mirror. If others act kind and gentle, he responds the same way. However, if they act harsh or bitter, he reflects that energy back.
Dong-man then admits something deeper. He already knew he never truly fit in with The Eight. In addition, he felt his anxiety rise whenever he stayed around them. To cope, he talked more in an attempt to calm himself. However, his Emotion Watch interrupts him. It vibrates with the label “fed up.”
Meanwhile, Eun-a reaches her own breaking point. She goes to the hospital as her nosebleeds worsen. She describes the experience in painful terms. Furthermore, she says it feels like her entire body is being torn apart.
She also realizes a pattern. Her emotions shift only when she is with Dong-man. Around him, she feels something closer to relief. In addition, Eun-a reveals a strained relationship with her mother. She cannot even say her name. Instead, she can only spell it out.
That night, Dong-man walks home and spots Eun-a nearby. Suddenly, a car accident happens beside her. He rushes over immediately. Fortunately, Eun-a remains unharmed.
However, his Emotion Watch reacts differently this time. It does not show excitement or joy. Instead, it displays “shocked,” “flustered,” and “worried.” This moment unsettles him. For the first time, he realizes something important—he may not be a monster or a truly destructive person after all.
Episode 3 of We Are All Trying Here continues with its emotional scenes and self-confrontations among the characters. What makes this episode especially appealing is that it shows another side of Dong-man and Eun-a. Individually, they both feel alone and like they do not belong anywhere. However, when they are together, there is comfort, a sense of belonging, and the assurance that someone is looking out for them.
Catch the next episode of the series on April 26 on Netflix. It airs every Saturday and Sunday at 10:40 PM KST and 9:40 PM PHT.
Sources: JTBC Drama, JTBC (Instagram)
