In episode 6 of We Are All Trying Here, Dong-man is fully engrossed in his writing. The inspiration is coming thick and fast and he says that he is feeling a new burst of creativity because he is in love. Hye-jin’s fiery outburst, including her dramatic act of throwing a rock through the bar window, seems to only add fuel to his feelings.
Meanwhile, Eun-a finds a reason to visit Dong-man and brings her grandmother’s homemade kimchi with her. The two agree to have a meal together but their plans are unexpectedly interrupted when Dong-man comes home and finds Jin-man back earlier than expected. The resulting awkward dinner becomes even more awkward when Jin-man directly asks Eun-a about her purpose in life.
In the middle of their conversation, both Dong-man and Eun-a notice their watches glowing red. Eun-a admits that her dream is to be a strong, dependable mother, someone who can stay calm when all hell is breaking loose. Her words echo her own emotional struggles clearly. Her honesty leads Jin-man to sign a poetry book for her, with an encouraging message for the mother she hopes to become.
Hye-jin also criticizes Gyeong-se for his old fashioned writing style, urging him to bring his scripts into the present. She thinks maybe Eun-a can bring some life into his work.
However, that evening, Eun-a’s past begins to catch up with her as Jeong-hui unexpectedly calls her Si-on and says she’s her mother. Eun-a is startled and she hangs up right away, but the phone call leaves her shaken. Her old school photos appear online and comments about poorly wrapped gimbap bring up painful memories from her childhood, making things worse.
Dong-man strides into the bar, full of confidence and energy. He talks about his take on writing – how people try too hard and that real inspiration comes naturally when you stop forcing it, in a chat about writing. His confidence is bordering on chaos but you can’t deny his optimism.
But things take a tragic turn when Dong-man finds Jin-man attempting to kill himself in the bathroom. He is able to save him and spends the next day watching over his brother.
Flashbacks and revelations finally show the heartbreaking truth behind Jin-man’s depression to viewers. His daughter Yeong-sil was adopted without his knowledge after his divorce. The mother was the only one to agree to the adoption because they didn’t know where he was at the time. Clearly he has been haunted by the loss ever since.
Meanwhile, in a meeting with director Choi and actress Mi-ran, Eun-a is criticized for the poor box office of a film. Eun-a does not step back, but confidently presents a new script based on emotional impulsiveness and vulnerability. Mi-ran’s initial response is frustration, but she ultimately accepts Eun-a’s vision.
As the episode progresses, Gyeong-se and Dong-man start to realize their complicated rivalry. There is still tension, but clearly there is emerging mutual respect.
Eun-a finally agrees to talk to Jeong-hui who tries to make amends by offering to support her in future. But Eun-a doesn’t accept excuses, especially after remembering the emotional abuse she suffered as a child. Flashbacks show how painful their relationship really was.
Later, Jeong-hui wins an award for her latest film, and dedicates her speech to mothers and daughters with imperfect relationships: a moment that is both sincere and deeply ironic.
One of the most powerful scenes in the episode is when Dong-man goes to Ximfit for an emotional assessment. Every time he stopped Jin-man from hurting himself, his device registered a “unknown” emotional state, his staff tell him. They also recount Eun-a’s own emotional reading of it, which she termed “self-destructive.”
Dong-man sees it another way.
He doesn’t call it self-destruction. He calls it a cry for help.
“Help me.
Though Eun-a is deeply touched by the emotional weight of his words, the two share a quiet, heartfelt hug, before promising to support each other going forward.
The episode ends with Dong-man coming home and urging Jin-man to look for Yeong-sil together, bringing hope when there seemed to be none.
Review Episode
Episode 6 delivers some of the best emotional storytelling the series has ever given us. It started as a light character drama but has gradually grown into something much deeper. Every character has emotional scars that seem genuine and relatable.
Jin-man’s backstory adds a surprising amount of depth to his character, transforming his pain from mystery to heartbreakingly understandable. Parents watching this episode will likely feel all of his grief.
Dong-man is still the biggest surprise of the show. He was introduced as loud, brash and almost unlikable, but has slowly become one of the most complex and emotionally intelligent characters on the show. One of the season’s most powerful moments is Eun-a’s “self-destructive” feeling, which he renames “help me.”
This episode is perfect from top to bottom with humor, heartbreak and character development. This is one of the best episodes of We Are All Trying Here to date, easily.
