Though the Monk Cannot Cut His Own Hair, the Hair to Be Cut Is His Own: Self-Salvation via the Other in Kim Young-min's 'What It Means to See'

The recently concluded drama 'Everyone is Fighting Their Own Worthlessness' captivated audiences by portraying characters locked in a constant battle with their own sense of inadequacy. This internal conflict, the series suggests, is not an anomaly but a fundamental aspect of human existence.

Humans are inherently driven to imagine a better version of themselves, a product of evolutionary programming that discourages complacency. Unlike a perfect deity or an inanimate object, humans possess the unique capacity for self-reflection and the desire for self-improvement. This ongoing struggle with perceived worthlessness is, therefore, a universal human experience.

However, the drama's central characters, aspiring filmmaker Hwang Dong-man and Byun Eun-a, are presented as individuals whose fights are particularly arduous. Both characters bear the heavy stigma of being deemed worthless, a label that has deeply impacted their lives and intensifies their personal struggles. Hwang Dong-man, for instance, has grappled with this feeling for two decades, highlighting the enduring nature of such internal battles.