Bae Jong-ok has delivered a commanding presence in ‘Everyone is Fighting Their Own Worthlessness,’ a drama packed with incredible talent.
In the JTBC Saturday-Sunday drama ‘Everyone is Fighting Their Own Worthlessness’ (directed by Cha Young-hoon and written by Park Hae-young) aired on May 9 and 10, Bae Jong-ok took on the role of the perfectionist top actress, Oh Jung-hee.
In the series, Oh Jung-hee first meets Hwang Dong-man (played by Koo Kyo-hwan), the man her biological daughter Byeon Eun-ah (played by Go Youn-jung) is fond of, at a hideout. Oh Jung-hee observes Hwang Dong-man’s fan-like admiration with an intrigued gaze, radiating a quiet charisma with just a simple “Thank you.”
Shortly after the meeting, Oh Jung-hee runs into Byeon Eun-ah. Though momentarily flustered, she strictly pretends not to know her, honoring her daughter’s request. However, once back in the car, she lets out a small laugh, revealing a whirlwind of complex emotions.
After spotting the close bond between her stepdaughter Jang Mi-ran (played by Han Sun-hwa) and Byeon Eun-ah on social media, Oh Jung-hee confronts her daughter. She reacts sharply, questioning, “You told me not to get caught, but isn’t getting close to Mi-ran a bit much?” and goes on to criticize Hwang Dong-man. As Byeon Eun-ah fires back with sharp words, Oh Jung-hee’s shock is visible through her trembling eyes and twitching facial muscles.
Eventually, Oh Jung-hee reaches a breaking point when Byeon Eun-ah touches upon her old wounds. She erupts in a desperate scream, exposing the painful truth about her husband’s first love who haunted their marriage, as well as her own childhood struggles with poverty.
In a chilling moment at the peak of her emotional outburst, she suddenly wipes away her tears and instantly switches her expression, calmly asking, “Shall we go?” This scene highlighted Oh Jung-hee’s ruthless perfectionism, living her entire life as if she were acting, and the profound loneliness hidden beneath the surface.
Bae Jong-ok managed to shift the entire mood of the scene without saying a word, using only her gaze and subtle facial movements to draw viewers in. Adding to her powerful aura, she dominated the screen with her flawless fashion, ranging from bold red to pristine white setup looks.
Meanwhile, the episode recorded a viewership rating of 3.869% according to Nielsen Korea, marking a new personal best for the series.
