JTBC confirmed the main cast for its upcoming drama Everyone Is Fighting Their Own Worthlessness (working title) on January 20.
Everyone Is Fighting Their Own Worthlessness tells the story of a person who feels left behind while all of his close friends appear successful. As jealousy and envy grow, he becomes emotionally unstable and begins searching for peace in his own way. The drama uses anxiety as its central theme and gives hope to viewers who feel stuck, as if their lives are paused at a red light.
Writer Park Hae Young, who previously created major emotional hits like My Mister and My Liberation Notes, penned the script. She is known for writing quiet but deeply moving stories that capture the most honest emotions of everyday life.
The drama is directed by Cha Young Hoon, who has directed works like When the Camellia Blooms and Welcome to Samdal-ri.
The confirmed cast includes Koo Kyo Hwan, Go Yoon Jung, Oh Jung Se, Kang Mal Geum, and Park Hae Joon.
Koo Kyo Hwan takes on the role of Hwang Dong Man, an aspiring film director. He is part of a famous industry friend group called “The Eight,” but he is the only one who has not yet made his debut. Dong Man lives with constant anxiety and feelings of being unwanted. He hides this by talking endlessly and acting confident, even when he feels deeply insecure.
Koo Kyo Hwan gained massive popularity as Private Han Ho Yul in the Netflix series D.P. and starred in hit films like Once We Were Us, Kill Bok Soon, and Escape from Mogadishu.
Go Yoon Jung plays Byun Eun Ah, a sharp film producer known for her blunt and precise script reviews, which earned her the nickname “Axe.” On the outside, she appears calm and unshakable, but inside, she is suffering from past trauma. When her emotions become overwhelming, she even suffers physical symptoms like nosebleeds.
Through her connection with Dong Man, Eun Ah begins to heal her trauma, while also helping him see his own worth.
Go Youn Jung rose to fame as the female lead in the historical romance Alchemy of Souls and recently starred in two hit projects, Resident Playbook and Can This Love Be Translated?.
The remaining cast members play key roles within the same circle of friends.
Oh Jung Se plays Park Kyung Se, a film director at Gobak Films who shares a complicated love-hate relationship with Hwang Dong Man (Koo Kyo Hwan). He once enjoyed success after directing five feature films, but everything changed when his latest project flopped. Forced to rely on the very person he looks down on, Kyung Se struggles with a growing sense of inferiority.
Oh Jung Se, joins the project after winning back-to-back Baeksang Awards for When the Camellia Blooms and It’s Okay to Not Be Okay. He recently proved his strength as a lead actor in dramas like Tempest and Good Boy.
Kang Mal Geum plays Go Hye Jin, the CEO of Gobak Film and Park Kyung Se’s wife. Hye Jin is a capable producer who runs the company on her own and also manages a restaurant that becomes a meeting place for the eight members. She calmly listens to Dong Man’s endless talk without getting involved. Go also quietly supports her husband while feeling conflicted and embarrassed by his struggles.
Kang Mal Geum has appeared in popular series such as Squid Game, The Good Bad Mother, and The Red Sleeve.
Park Hae Joon takes on the role of Hwang Jin Man, Dong Man’s older brother and a former poet. After facing failure in his career, Jin Man has withdrawn from the world and survives by doing odd jobs. He often leans on alcohol and TV to pass the time.
Park Hae Joon, widely recognized for his unforgettable role in The World of the Married, also joins the drama. He has continued to appear in major projects like the film 12.12: The Day and the Netflix series When Life Gives You Tangerines.
Everyone Is Fighting Their Own Worthlessness will reportedly have 12 episodes and start airing on JTBC in April, every Saturday and Sunday.
