★★★★☆ Dear Hongrang
The story of this drama is genuinely captivating and kept me invested from the very beginning. The costumes are beautifully designed, the historical setting is well executed, and both Lee Jae Wook and Jo Bo Ah delivered outstanding performances. The entire cast did a great job bringing their characters to life.The melancholic atmosphere is present in every episode and almost every scene, making the drama emotionally immersive. The OST is also beautiful and fits the tone perfectly.
However, there were several things I struggled to understand. I found myself confused by certain plot points and some of the characters’ decisions. I believe this comes down more to the screenplay than the story itself.
The drama starts incredibly strong, but as it progresses, it seems to lose some of what made the beginning so compelling. Some storylines are built up over several episodes, only to be wrapped up in what feels like just a couple of minutes. That made some of the emotional payoff less satisfying than I had hoped.
Despite these issues, I truly believe this drama deserves more recognition, and I think its current average rating of 8.1 should be a little higher. The potential was absolutely there: the characters, the premise, the performances, and the overall atmosphere were all excellent. Unfortunately, the screenplay loses some of its strength as the story moves forward.
I honestly wanted to give it a higher score because it had everything it needed to become one of my favorites. In the end, though, my rating is 8.5/10.
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★ 10/10 – We Are All Trying Here
One of the things I appreciated the most about this drama is how almost every character grows naturally from the very first episode to the last. Their development never feels forced; every change is believable and perfectly fits the story.After finishing each episode, I kept thinking, “There’s no way the next one can be even better.” Yet somehow it always was. Every episode surprised me in the best possible way.
From the characters to the dialogue, the cinematography, and the atmosphere, everything felt carefully crafted. Nothing seemed out of place.
My biggest concern while watching was that, as the story approached its ending, it might lose the depth that made it so special. Since this drama deals with heavy and important themes, I was afraid it would eventually simplify them or rush through them.
Thankfully, it never does.
This is not a drama for everyone. It’s emotionally heavy, intense, and sometimes difficult to watch. Calling it a “light” drama would be completely misleading.
From the very first episode, it makes its intentions clear. At some point, I stopped feeling like I was watching just another drama. It felt painfully real.
I think that’s because it handles its themes with honesty and respect. It never romanticizes pain, never diminishes it, and never treats serious issues as simple plot devices. Instead, it allows every character’s struggles to matter.
The original Korean title, “모두가 자신의 무가치함과 싸우고 있다” (“Everyone Is Fighting Against Their Own Worthlessness”), captures the heart of the story far better than the international title. It reminds us that everyone is fighting a battle we often cannot see.
I genuinely hope We Are All Trying Here reaches as many people as possible, especially those who need its message the most.
For me, this is an easy 10/10.
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