SOURCE: '14살차' 구교환·고윤정, '나의 아저씨' 작가 만났다…JTBC '모자무싸' 확정 [공식]
JTBC's new drama 'Everyone is Fighting Their Own Worthlessness' has announced the confirmed cast, including Koo Kyohwan, Go Yoonjung, Oh Jungse, Kang Malgeum, and Park Haejoon.
This drama is directed by Cha Younghoon, written by Park Haeyoung, produced by Studio Phoenix, SLL, and Studio Flow. It follows the story of a man who has gone mad by envy and jealousy, because he is the only one among his successful friends whose life hasn't panned out, as he searches for inner peace. Using 'anxiety' as its keyword, the drama is expected to turn on the 'green light in life' for those who have come to a halt due to worthlessness.
This project is gaining anticipation as it marks the return of writer Park Haeyoung, who created widespread phenomena with works such as 'My Mister' and 'My Liberation Notes.' Known for transforming the lowest emotions of life into the most noble sentences, Park Haeyoung's unique insight raises expectations for yet another phenomenon, this time centered on the theme of 'worthlessness.' Adding to this is director Cha Younghoon, who is known for capturing extraordinary solidarity among ordinary people with works such as 'When the Camellia Blooms' and 'Welcome to Samdal-ri.' Cha Younghoon's delicate direction, which gently embraces the character's shortcomings with warmth, combined with Park Haeyoung's profound writing, is expected to offer comfort to the cold reality.
Koo Kyohwan, who has proven his irreplaceable presence with unique style, takes on his first leading role in a TV drama as he plays 'Hwang Dongman' in 'Everyone is Fighting Their Own Worthlessness.' Hwan Dongman is an aspiring film director and the only member of the famous film circle, 'The Eight,' who has yet to debut. Like an uninvited guest, Dongman is constantly haunted by anxiety, which he masks with endless rambling to survive. Koo Kyohwan brings dimensional depth to Dongman's struggle, who flails noisily to hide his worthlessness, making even his pathetic traits seem lovable. He is expected to become the catalyst that turns on the 'green light' of peace in viewers' hearts by offering the comfort of saying, 'I'm just like you.'
Go Yoonjung, rising star who is known for her sharp emotional delivery even in calm tones, will take on a new transformation as 'Byun Eunah.' Byun Eunah is a producer at film company Choi Film who gains the nickname of 'The Axe' for her sharp reviews. While she dreams of becoming a calm, unwavering center that never shakes in any situation, she actually struggles with trauma. She would get nosebleeds whenever she hits emotional overload. Go Yoonjung will delicately express the self-destructive rage and fear of abandonment hidden beneath Eunah's looks. Her journey of healing through Dongman, who looks like a failure by the world's standards yet is internally stronger than anyone, and in turn transforming Dongman's worthlessness into value, is expected to create a meaningful narrative of growth.
Oh Jungse, who consistently creates unforgettable characters with his wide acting spectrum, will play as 'Park Kyungse.' Park Kyungse is a director at Gobak Film who shares a love-hate relationship with Hwang Dongman. He is a successful director with 5 feature films under his belt, but after his recent work flops at the box office, he is become increasingly tormented by inferiority complex and finding himself unusually sensitive to the 'nobody' Hwang Dongman. Oh Jungse will portray Park Kyungse's complex inner world as he feels bottomless rage over a single remark from Hwang Dongman while desperately prove that they aren't on the same level. The 'inferiority complex battle' between Hwang Dongman and Park Kyungse is expected to add lively energy and hyper-realistic humor into the drama.
Kang Malgeum will play as 'Go Hyejin,' the CEO of Gobak Film and also Park Kyungse's wife. She runs the restaurant that serves as 'The Eight''s hideout. She would calmly listen to Hwang Dongman's ramblings while also demonstrating firm, straightforward leadership when necessary. Kang Malgeum will add depth to the drama by portraying a realistic wife who feels embarassed by her husband's outbursts over Hwang Dongman while quietly supporting him. She is the mediator of 'The Eight,' who manages conflicts within the circle.
Park Haejoon will play as 'Hwang Jinman,' Hwang Dongman's older brother and a former poet. Once a poet, he collapsed after experiencing the depths of incompetence and now survives through working from one manual labor site to another, having severed ties with the world. Park Haejoon will express the empty inner life of Hwang Jinman, who exists like a shadow in the house, relying on alcohol and TV. His strange sense of kinship and shared pain with his brother, Dongman, is expected to resonate deeply with viewers.
The production team stated, "This drama focuses on the process of people standing before worthlessness as they embrace each other's shortcomings and finally find a room to breath for the first time in their lives. By transparently confronting universal emotions like envy and jealousy, rather than denying them, we want to deliver both intense empathy and warm comfort to the viewers." They continued, "The performances of this cast, combined by Park Haeyoung's insight and Cha Younghun's warm gaze, will create a magical time where even the shabbiest moments of life feel meaningful."
'Everyone is Fighting Their Own Worthlessness' will air on JTBC in the first half of 2026.
