Koo Kyo-hwan Shines in 'Fighting Against One's Worthlessness' Amidst Struggles and Transformation

Actor Koo Kyo-hwan captivates audiences in 'Fighting Against One's Worthlessness'.

In JTBC's weekend drama 'Fighting Against One's Worthlessness' (hereafter referred to as 'FAOW'), Koo Kyo-hwan plays the role of Hwang Dong-man, delivering a compelling narrative that resonates with viewers. The drama's sixth episode, aired on the 3rd, recorded a viewership rating of 2.9% according to Nielsen Korea. Since its premiere, 'FAOW' has consistently struggled with ratings in the 2% range.

Episodes 5 and 6 of 'FAOW' showcased Dong-man's transformation as he navigates his relationship with Eun-ah (played by Go Yoon-jung). Once describing himself as a litmus paper that changes according to others, Dong-man decides to leave the group he has been with for a long time and, with Eun-ah's feedback, intensifies his work on 'Creating Weather for You', showing a clear change in attitude.

Dong-man's reaction to the winning piece by Eun-ah's ex-boyfriend Jae-young (played by Kim Jong-hoon) was intense. Recognizing Eun-ah's expressions like 'A Thousand Doors' and 'Emotional Mass', he couldn't contain his anger, saying, "You stole from someone you shouldn't have. You stole from a genius. It's so brilliantly shining like a jewel that it's obvious whose it is." This demonstrated his deep respect and trust for Eun-ah.

However, Dong-man's seemingly peaceful life crumbles again when he faces his brother Jin-man's (played by Park Hae-joon) suicide attempt. His desperate actions and expressions conveyed emotions beyond simple sadness, evoking sympathy from viewers. Each time his brother attempted such an act, Dong-man's emotion watch displayed 'Unknown'.

Upon learning that Eun-ah also felt this emotion, Dong-man realized that the feeling he couldn't articulate was a cry for help, "Help me," mixed with a slight desperation. The silent understanding and emotional exchange between the two, as they embraced each other's wounds, was profoundly moving.

Through the character of Hwang Dong-man, Koo Kyo-hwan portrays worthlessness, anxiety, and ultimately budding hope, touching on the emotions of those striving to prove their worth. His line, "I don't even wish for success. I just want to make one piece, so I can overcome a bit of this worthlessness," leaves a lasting impression on those caught between reality and dreams.

Koo Kyo-hwan's nuanced performance convincingly depicts Dong-man's journey towards peace, drawing viewers into his inner world. Anticipation builds for how he will continue to develop the character's narrative in the remaining episodes.

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

Reporter: Jung Se-yoon, Ten Asia yoon@tenasia.co.kr