JTBC’s upcoming drama We Are All Trying Here offers a closer look at the complex emotional landscape hidden beneath seemingly perfect relationships, with Bae Jong Ok and Han Sun Hwa taking center stage as a mother-daughter duo whose polished public image masks deep tension.
At the heart of We Are All Trying Here is the story of Hwang Dong Man, portrayed by Koo Kyo Hwan, a man who finds himself surrounded by successful peers while struggling with a sense of personal failure. Driven by feelings of anguish, envy, and jealousy, he embarks on a journey in search of inner peace. Within this broader narrative, the relationship between Oh Jung Hee and Jang Mi Ran adds another layer of emotional complexity.
In We Are All Trying Here, Bae Jong Ok plays Oh Jung Hee, a nationally acclaimed actress who remains at the height of her career. A perfectionist in every sense, Oh Jung Hee lives as though she is constantly under public scrutiny, carefully curating every aspect of her life. This relentless pursuit of flawlessness extends beyond her professional image into her personal life, where she imposes strict control over her daughter.
Opposite her, Han Sun Hwa portrays Jang Mi Ran, an actress striving to establish her own identity. Despite landing a leading role in director Park Kyung Se’s fifth film, The Second Sister Without Arms, Jang Mi Ran continues to be overshadowed by her mother’s reputation. In We Are All Trying Here, her struggle lies in breaking free from the label of “Oh Jung Hee’s daughter” and asserting her individuality within an industry that constantly compares her to her mother.
The newly released stills from We Are All Trying Here highlight the stark contrast between the pair’s public and private personas. On stage at an awards ceremony, Oh Jung Hee radiates confidence while holding a trophy, as Jang Mi Ran looks on with a proud smile, presenting an image of the ideal mother and daughter admired by the public. However, once the cameras stop rolling, the atmosphere shifts dramatically. In the quiet of a waiting room, their interaction is marked by an unsettling silence, revealing the emotional distance that lies beneath their polished exterior.
Further deepening the narrative, We Are All Trying Here reveals that Oh Jung Hee and Jang Mi Ran are not biologically related but share a stepmother-stepdaughter relationship. This detail adds nuance to their dynamic, emphasizing the fragile balance between obligation, ambition, and suppressed emotion. Both characters navigate the tension between maintaining a flawless public narrative and confronting their unspoken truths.
Through the performances of Bae Jong Ok and Han Sun Hwa, We Are All Trying Here explores the duality of identity in both personal and professional spheres. The drama captures how individuals manage expectations placed upon them while grappling with their authentic selves behind closed doors.
Set to premiere on April 18, We Are All Trying Here promises a layered portrayal of relationships shaped by ambition, image, and the quiet complexities of human emotion, with Bae Jong Ok and Han Sun Hwa delivering performances that reflect both contrast and connection.
