“We Are All Trying Here”: Why Netflix's Translations May Fall Short
Sometimes, literal translations better capture the critical themes of a story.
Posted May 11, 2026 | Reviewed by Gary Drevitch
I teach students that literal linguistic translations can sometimes be unsatisfactory. A popular example of this in psychology is how the English word “blue” is used to describe low mood (“I feel blue”). A dictionary translation of “blue” into other languages to convey sadness will likely result in confusion. Instead, linguistic translations that prioritize conceptual or functional equivalence are warranted.
This benefit of the non-literal but conceptually and functionally comparable translation also applies in the world of Korean dramas (K-dramas), such as when show titles are translated from Korean to English. For example, Netflix’s “When Life Gives You Tangerines” was originally titled “폭싹 속았수다” (pok-ssak so-gat-su-da); this roughly translates to, “You have given a good effort.” Suffice to say, “When Life Gives You Tangerines” is arguably a more globally appealing translation than its more literal counterpart.
There are times, though, when the pendulum swings the other way; when not doing a literal translation results in some disconnect with core themes of a project like a K-drama series.
My family and I are currently in the middle of watching the JTBC series available on Netflix for global audiences, “We Are All Trying Here” (currently on episode 8). This show centers the story of Dong-man Hwang, an aspiring movie director and writer in his forties who has not yet tasted success.
The Korean title is “모두가 자신의 무가치함과 싸우고 있다” (moduga jasin-ui mugachihamgwa ssaugo itda). I know the title is a mouthful – Koreans have been shortening it to 모자무싸 (mo-ja-mu-ssa), taking the first syllable of the major words – and the literally translated title would be, “We Are All Fighting Our Own Worthlessness.” As I reflect on the story depicted in the drama series, I am struck by how the global audience-friendly translation of “We Are All Trying Here” misses the target on some major emphases that emerges from the show.
At the most basic level, the English translation does not reflect the reality that the struggles depicted in the drama series are often within the person. “We Are All Trying Here” makes it sound like the struggle is all-around; but the Korean title is clear: the conflict is intrapersonal.
Setting aside its cliché phrasing, would “We Are All Fighting Our Own Battles” be a better translation? This alternative fails to answer the question: Battles against what ? The Korean title clearly names it: the war is against the worthlessness that we feel so desperately within ourselves.
Feeling worthless is a common and painful human experience. Psychology has lots to say about the harm of our worth being questioned. Indeed, many theories posit their own perspectives on what might trigger thoughts of worthlessness and suggest remedies to counter them. To borrow a word from the Korean drama's title, these psychological perspectives offer thoughts on how we might fight our own feelings of worthlessness.
In “We are All Trying Here,” I was struck by how the story has connecting points to classic psychological theories in portraying the struggle against worthlessness:
These are only a sampling of the many moments in the drama series in which the fight against one's own worthlessness can be interpreted using classic psychological theories.
What is notable is that the solution presented in the series for effectively combating our own sense of diminished self-worth is not an introspective one. Instead, the remedy is clearly identified as relationships : Meaningful interpersonal connections provide healing moments for Dong-man, and indeed, the many other compelling characters. There is healing in discovering, or stumbling upon, others who are also fighting their own worthlessness. Through empathy, sharing each other’s pain, and ultimately joining in others’ fight against worthlessness, the characters begin to counter the pain of worthlessness.
As I continue watching this K-drama series full of psychological insights, I am eager to see how the psychology of worthlessness continues to be depicted and then offset. And I hope that those who consume the series from outside of the Korean context can see how zooming in on the literal translation of the Korean title is a valuable exercise in fully grasping the deep messages about intrapersonal and interpersonal health that this series aims to convey.
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Paul Youngbin Kim, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology at Seattle Pacific University.
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This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.