Director Oh Jung-se Teams Up with Film Company CEO Kang Mal-geum in New JTBC Drama

Director Oh Jung-se collaborates with film company CEO Kang Mal-geum as an on-screen couple. He expressed his strong affection and confidence, stating, "Even after just two episodes, you'll find yourself recommending it to others."

Premiering on the 18th, JTBC's new weekend drama 'Everyone is Fighting Their Own Worthlessness' (hereafter 'EFW') follows the journey of a person driven mad by jealousy and envy among successful friends, seeking peace. Oh Jung-se plays 'Park Kyung-se,' a successful director who has released five films as part of the renowned industry group '8-in-1.' However, Oh describes him as "an adult still growing," constantly striving to prove his worth.

Regarding the script that touches on the immature inner self of adults, Oh Jung-se shared, "It brought peace to my heart," adding that it helped him interpret his tangled emotions simply and clearly. He admitted, "I wanted to deliver every line perfectly, but I tried to embody about 98% to avoid overwhelming myself." Yet, 'EFW' became a beloved project for him, as he naturally grew to love the script, the cast, and the production, enjoying the details, props, and costumes.

The reunion of Oh Jung-se with director Cha Young-hoon from 'When the Camellia Blooms' is generating significant buzz. Oh expressed his gratitude and comfort in working with Cha again, praising him for creating an environment where actors can perform freely. He raised expectations for their 'winning combination.'

The comedic and intense love-hate relationship between 'Hwang Dong-man' (played by Koo Kyo-hwan), a struggling director for 20 years, and the successful yet anxious Park Kyung-se is a key point of humor and a sharp depiction of 'everyone' fighting worthlessness. Oh Jung-se noted that while the world sees Hwang as insecure, Park is his 'other self,' making them indispensable to each other. The anticipated acting ensemble between 'acting master' Oh Jung-se and 'irreplaceable' Koo Kyo-hwan promises to be captivating.

Oh also mentioned the chemistry with his '8-in-1' colleagues, noting the realistic portrayal of film directors that made every scene enjoyable. He expressed deep trust in Kang Mal-geum, who plays his wife and film company CEO 'Go Hye-jin,' describing the experience as a precious encounter with raw emotions only found on set.

Finally, Oh Jung-se shared his excitement about the drama, saying, "I read it with such anticipation that I wondered why each episode was so short and wanted to see the next one immediately." He confidently recommended viewers to watch 'EFW,' suggesting, "If time permits, how about binge-watching 'EFW'?"

'EFW' premieres on the 18th at 10:40 PM.

Tae Yuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr