Koo Kyo-hwan Shines in 'Fighting Against One's Worthlessness' Despite Low Ratings

Koo Kyo-hwan navigates the fine line between empathy and annoyance in 'Fighting Against One's Worthlessness'. The first episode, aired on the 18th, recorded a modest 2.1% viewership rating. In contrast, MBC's '21st Century Grand Lady', starring IU and Byun Woo-seok, achieved an impressive 11.1% rating.

In JTBC's weekend drama 'Fighting Against One's Worthlessness' (abbreviated as 'FAOW'), Koo Kyo-hwan plays Hwang Dong-man, an aspiring film director who has been unable to debut for 20 years. His portrayal captures the audience's attention as he teeters between relatability and being a nuisance.

Hwang Dong-man is a character stuck in place among his successful friends, using endless chatter to mask his growing anxiety. After watching a terrible movie, he finds solace in harshly critiquing it online, while a good film leaves him envious and emotional. His disruptive behavior at a film premiere after-party, where he declares, "Not a single scene is worth it," exemplifies his role as a troublemaker, earning him glares from director Park Kyung-se (played by Oh Jung-se).

Yet, Hwang Dong-man is not entirely unlikable. His noisy exterior hides a poignant loneliness and vulnerability. His incessant talking is a desperate defense mechanism against the anxiety that silence brings. By speaking without pause, he builds a barrier to avoid confronting his worthlessness, striving not for success but merely to stave off anxiety.

Scenes of him pretending to be cheerful on a bus or shouting his name on a deserted hilltop highlight his desperate struggle. His intense emotional hunger as an aspiring director is starkly portrayed when he stuffs food into his mouth, trying to fill his inner void. His defiant remarks, "Why does my life have to please you?" and "Create a world of shining things; none of it shines," resonate with both satisfaction and empathy.

Koo Kyo-hwan seamlessly connects the character's sharp exterior with his fragile interior through his unique, improvisational acting style. His passionate performance and potential for growth are anticipated to bring comfort and inspiration to viewers.

'FAOW' airs every Saturday at 10:40 PM and Sunday at 10:30 PM.

Reporter Jung Se-yoon, TenAsia yoon@tenasia.co.kr