JTBC teams up with Seoul for 'Space-out Competition' ahead of new drama premiere 'We're All Trying Here'

08 Apr 2026, 15:58 by K-Soul · allkpop

An unusual collaboration is already drawing attention ahead of its premiere, as JTBC’s upcoming drama is set to meet viewers through a unique “space-out competition.”

JTBC has partnered with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to host the 2026 Gwanghwamun Space-Out Competition, titled “We're All Trying Here,” on April 14 at Gwanghwamun Yukjo Madang.

Now in its 12th year, the Space-Out Competition is a long-running event that proposes “doing nothing” as a form of sport for modern individuals overwhelmed by constant stimulation and the spread of smart devices. The event has previously been held in major cities around the world—including Beijing, Rotterdam, Taipei, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Melbourne—expanding its message globally.

This year’s edition holds special significance as it is co-organized by Woopsyang Company, which has led the event since 2014, and JTBC’s upcoming weekend drama 'We're All Trying Here.' The collaboration aims to further deepen the meaning behind the event.

The competition encourages a “collective pause” for people who feel anxious about stopping while others continue moving forward. It is designed to help participants break free from a modern societal mindset that deems all actions outside of production and consumption as “worthless.” This message aligns closely with the drama’s theme of offering a “green light in life” to those halted by anxiety and feelings of worthlessness.

Gwanghwamun Yukjo Madang, the venue for the event, is a symbolic landmark in South Korea typically reserved for national events. Recently hosting BTS’s comeback performance, the location is often described as the heart of K-culture. Holding a “collective pause” in such a bustling urban center highlights the urgent need for rest in a society driven by efficiency and success, while offering citizens a refreshing sense of release.

The competition itself will last 90 minutes, during which participants must do nothing while maintaining the most stable heart rate. The venue will also feature four themed zones where visitors can experience the drama in advance. These include an “Entrance Zone,” where participants symbolically destroy their sense of worthlessness to receive entry; a “Photo Zone” recreating protagonist Hwang Dong Man’s room; a “Worthlessness Exchange” offering official merchandise; and a “Space-Out Lounge” where visitors can relax while watching teaser videos.

Adding to the excitement, key cast members from 'We're All Trying Here' are expected to attend the event in person. They will participate in the competition and explore the exhibition spaces, experiencing firsthand the drama’s theme of “the aesthetics of worthlessness” while building anticipation for its premiere.

Set to air its first episode on April 18, JTBC’s new Saturday-Sunday drama 'We're All Trying Here' (directed by Cha Young Hoon, written by Park Hae Young) follows the journey of a man driven to madness by envy and jealousy as he struggles to find peace among more successful peers.

The drama features a strong ensemble cast of 13 actors, including Koo Kyo Hwan, Go Youn Jung, and Oh Jung Se, who will portray the pain and anxiety carried by each character with nuance and depth.

Koo Kyo Hwan plays Hwang Dong Man, a man who once dreamed of filmmaking alongside his peers. While those around him go on to debut successfully as producers, PDs, and directors, he remains stuck as a “hopeful,” unable to escape the label. He struggles to suppress his own sense of worthlessness.

Reflecting on the script, Koo Kyo Hwan remarked, “It felt like my personal diary had been leaked.” He added, “By the time I finished reading it, it felt like I had secretly read everyone’s diary,” praising writer Park Hae Young’s sharp insight into exposing the inner truths people often wish to hide.

Oh Jung Se takes on the role of Park Kyung Se, a successful film director and member of an elite group of eight prominent filmmakers, having directed five films. Describing his character, Oh Jung Se said, “He’s an adult who hasn’t fully grown yet—still in the process of growing. Though he appears successful, he constantly strives to prove his worth, whether to climb higher or to avoid falling.” He added, “Every line of dialogue felt so precious that I wanted to deliver it exactly as written. That pressure pushed me, and I aimed to capture about 98 percent of it.”

Go Youn Jung plays Byun Eun Ah, a planning PD known in the industry as the “axe PD” for her sharp script evaluations. Despite her professional reputation, she hides a deep internal struggle with trauma. Under extreme stress or emotional overload, her distress manifests physically in the form of nosebleeds—a red warning signal of her inner turmoil.

Explaining her character, Go Youn Jung said, “She constantly imposes strict standards on herself, repeatedly asking, ‘Am I a person of value?’ Rather than expressing her emotions outwardly, she suppresses them, engaging in a quiet but intense internal battle.”

One of the most anticipated aspects of the drama is the relationship between Hwang Dong Man and Byun Eun Ah. Go Youn Jung shared, “They comfort each other while also soothing themselves, which makes their connection feel deeper and more genuine,” raising expectations for a “mutual salvation” narrative in which the two transform each other’s perceived worthlessness into something meaningful.

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