JTBC’s ‘Everyone is Fighting Their Own Worthlessness’ (hereafter ‘Everyone is Fighting’) is gaining huge momentum from viewers. The sharp insights of writer Park Hae-young, the delicate direction of director Cha Young-hoon, and the intense acting of the cast are creating perfect synergy, proving the value of this well-made drama. Specifically, episode 8 recorded a 4.5% rating in the metropolitan area (Nielsen Korea), hitting a new series high and showing a steep upward curve.
The Power of a Fascinating Story Completed by Koo Kyo-hwan
Starting its first broadcast on the 18th of last month, ‘Everyone is Fighting’ began with a 2.2% rating and stayed in the 2% range through episode 7. However, it jumped to 3.9% in episode 8, showing a late-game spurt. With only four episodes left until the finale, all eyes are on its final performance.
‘Everyone is Fighting’ follows a person’s journey to find peace while struggling with envy and jealousy because they are the only one not succeeding among their talented friends. Starring Koo Kyo-hwan and Go Youn-jung, the show is capturing the attention of drama fans as its presence grows toward the end.
Koo Kyo-hwan plays Hwang Dong-man, a member of the 8-person group who has been preparing to debut as a film director for 20 years. Go Youn-jung plays a planning PD at Choi Film who suffers from nosebleeds, returning to the emotions of being neglected at age nine whenever her boyfriend leaves or workplace relationships sour, adding to the immersion of the story.
Koo Kyo-hwan Races Through Heavy Snow to Keep a Promise
In episode 8, Hwang Dong-man raced through heavy snow, only for his car to flip in -20 degree weather. Despite this, he desperately kept his promise to Byeon Eun-ah (Go Youn-jung) to help her. Even while hanging upside down and shivering in the cold, he shared the story Byeon Eun-ah wanted, and her nosebleeds stopped.
While waiting for paramedics, Hwang Dong-man received a message from Ma Jae-young (Kim Jong-hoon) telling him to “shut up” after he listed Byeon Eun-ah as a co-writer for ‘Knock Knock Knock’. He was further provoked by Ma Jae-young’s comment to stop tearing others down and instead try climbing up in life with grit, even if it means losing teeth. Overwhelmed by anger and sadness in a situation where he could do nothing, Hwang Dong-man began imagining midsummer weather, creating a miracle where he sweated despite the freezing cold.
The highlight of the episode was the wild night that started at the hideout and ended at the night sea.
Having calmed his anxiety thanks to Byeon Eun-ah, Hwang Dong-man leaned his head on the shoulder of his rival, Park Kyung-se (Oh Jung-se), turning his emotion watch to a peaceful ‘green light’. Jang Mi-ran (Han Sun-hwa), who felt a strange kinship with Byeon Eun-ah’s ability to make her “land” after fluttering frantically, let go of her prickly heart.
Carrying that feeling, they rushed to the night sea and danced with their arms around each other, shedding all constraints like the ending of the movie ‘Zorba the Greek’.
However, the upbeat mood took a turn with a sudden chain of confessions. When Jang Mi-ran suddenly declared her love for Hwang Dong-man, his emotion watch displayed the word ‘Awkward’. In a panic, Hwang Dong-man confessed that he likes Byeon Eun-ah.
Unable to understand why her confession was met with ‘Awkward’, Jang Mi-ran raised her voice. In the heated atmosphere, their car slid to the edge of a cliff, leading to a dizzying incident where they almost lost their lives. At the threshold of death, Hwang Dong-man’s confession that his wish is to “die of old age, not from suffering or embarrassment” provided paradoxical comfort to those enduring a harsh reality.
Kang Mal-geum’s Refreshing Decision… A Thrilling Catharsis
The decision made by Go Hye-jin, played by Kang Mal-geum, also provided intense catharsis.
The scene where she roared like her days as a reporter at CEO Choi, who forced her to compromise with dirty desires, and cut ties with him gave viewers a thrilling sense of liberation.
By choosing human decency and the essence of cinema over billions in profit, Go Hye-jin showed the side of a ‘cool adult’. In particular, her decision to tell Hwang Dong-man, who only criticized others’ films, that he “needs to get in the ring and get hit himself” pushed him into the real world, raising the tension to its peak.
Hwang Dong-man’s transformation as he starts the second act of his life with a mix of fear and excitement makes the remaining episodes even more anticipated.
