🔍 A Drama That Hits Too Close to Home
The timing couldn’t be more intense. Just as Korea reels from a tragic real-life shooting in Incheon, Netflix drops Trigger, a gun-crime action thriller set in a near-future Korea where illegal firearms arrive at people’s doors like everyday packages.
Premiering today at 4 PM KST, Trigger dares to ask: “What happens when anyone can pull the trigger?”
🔫 The Plot: Chaos, Morality, and Guns
In a world where gun ownership is banned, Trigger introduces a disturbing twist — illegal firearms are being delivered anonymously via parcel. Amid the chaos, two men with drastically different philosophies pick up arms. Kim Nam-gil plays Lee Do, a former sniper turned cop trying to disarm the nation, while Kim Young-kwang plays Moon Baek, a mysterious free spirit who collides with Lee Do on the frontlines of escalating violence.
Director Kwon Oh-seung explains, “The people who pick up guns in this series aren’t evil caricatures — they’re people we might meet on the street. That’s what makes it terrifying.”
🎭 Characters Driven by Personal Triggers
Every episode of Trigger unveils characters who pick up a gun for deeply personal reasons. The storyline weaves these motives together, asking tough questions about justice, pain, and the psychology of violence.
Kim Nam-gil shared, “This isn’t just about action. It’s a psychological drama about how far a person can fall — and what they’re willing to protect.”
🚨 Real-Life Tragedy Sparks Controversy
Just five days ago, a horrifying real-life shooting took place in Songdo, where a man fatally shot his son using a homemade gun. The incident shocked a nation unaccustomed to such violence — and made the release of Trigger feel even more unsettling.
In response, Netflix canceled a planned fan event, and the production team offered condolences during the press conference. Director Kwon stated, “This drama and the real-life event are separate matters. But I understand the timing is delicate.”
He added, “The show makes it clear that violence is not the answer. The characters may pick up guns, but the story leads the audience to ask, ‘Should they have?’”
🧠 Social Commentary or Too Soon?
While some might question whether Trigger glamorizes crime, the creators firmly deny any intent to romanticize violence. Instead, they aim to provoke thought and dialogue.
With its provocative premise and real-world parallels, Trigger arrives like a warning shot. Will audiences view it as a timely commentary — or an emotional misfire?
Only time, and the viewers, will tell.
Article Source: Yoon Hyo-jung, “총기사망사고 파장 속 ‘트리거’ 베일 벗는다,” News1, July 25, 2025.
Alt Text: Poster for Netflix drama “Trigger,” depicting a dramatic dark-toned scene with the series title.
Caption: Netflix K-drama Trigger teaser poster | Image embedded from @netflixkr
Image Source: Embedded from Netflix press server:
https://images.ctfassets.net/4cd45et68cgf/5XpxYxzA2jNkNxoROxV4GO/7538a746b5cb5f31b041ab2ada8e8b69/en_us_trigger_teaser_vertical_27x40_rgb_predate_1.jpg?w=1200
