Trigger (2025)

Just good concept

The drama started good but ended badly. I think the only people who really knew how to use a gun were the first guy and the fat student, while the rest clearly didn’t. The ahjumma and ahjussi were just unnecessary character additions with guns. Their flashbacks were boring and pointless, and they didn’t even use the guns properly—they just held them.

I also didn’t like the second guy because he kept preaching instead of shooting. He was just an idiot. Park Gyu-jin was also disappointing; he got swayed by some cheesy line like, “I don’t know what you’re going through, but it’s not too late, tell me the story.” Honestly, that was one of the worst parts of the drama. If this were an American series, the characters wouldn’t be affected by words like that—they’d be written as real psychopaths or sociopaths.

Only Lee Do actually fought against the people with guns. The rest of the police did basically nothing, which made me go, wtf. The gangster subplot wasn’t really needed either. While watching, I just wanted the depressed characters to actually go wild and shoot everyone. Who cares about the gangster story? Episode 5 was especially boring, with too many flashbacks and pointless chit-chat.

Episodes 9 and 10 were really bad. I expected an epic one-on-one fight between Lee Do and Moon Baek, but it never happened. The ending was also disappointing because they didn’t show the real chaos. Instead, we only got quick flashes, barely a second long. We couldn’t even see people shooting each other or the aftermath with the dead bodies. It felt censored and unsatisfying.

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It Got Lost in the Sauce by the End

To be blunt, this show was a bit of a letdown, especially since the first two or three episodes were very strong imo. The concept of exploring how people react when pushed to their limits when they all of a sudden had accessibility to guns, was super interesting. I understand that Kim Young-kwang’s character, Moon Baek, was meant to be a major villain and an agent of chaos, but at some point, it just stopped making sense. Suddenly he’s an arms dealer running a massive underground operation? It felt completely out of left field. The idea had potential but the execution of the show was lackluster by the end. By the end of it the show got a little lost in the sauce wanting to focus more on shock value by using excessive shootings and action scenes, than creating a coherent story.

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good concept but Lazy Writing, Shallow story and antagonist

I really appreciate that fact that this series touch upon gun issues and especially mental health which are related. But I found the writing is quite lazy. The actors were amazing especially the mc and how hot KYK was but beside that. The ending is lame, the villain has no depth or they didn't show much of his backstory and seems like he is a real psychopath and all he wants is revenge and see this world go down with him but the director still wants to make him look cool and philosophical. I think what I want to see in a series with such a controversial topic is a more in depth story. I like all the mental or trigger cases but the parts of the mc and the antagonist are just meh. The general storyline is so formulated. Also in some parts I had to throw my logic out of the window, I just laughed.

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THOUGHT PROVOKING BUT NO EXPLOSIVE CLIMAX

This drama is dark and timely thriller that raises sharp questions about morality and order. The fact that the government and police officers did not do something making this show too unrealistic. However, the core idea remains powerful and thought provoking.

Nam Gil delivers a layered, restrained performance, while Young Kwang brings chilling presence as his ideological rival. Their dynamic is compelling and anchors much of the series, though a few supporting characters don't leave the same impact. Visually, the cinematography is gritty and atmospheric, perfectly matching the unsettling tone and raised the tension of the story.

The writing blends suspense with social commentary, offering moral complexity and food for thought. However, the drama never builds toward a shocking climax or breaktthrough moment, staying on a consistent tone from beginning to end. Something feels missing, leaving the experience less satisfying than it could have been.

The soundtrack is subtle but effective, supporting the mood without demanding attention. Overall, it's not perfect, but still a tense that explore morality, chaos, and order in a gripping way.

Plot 7.5/10
Acting and Characters 6.5/10
Cinematography 8/10
Writing 5/10
Pacing 6/10
OST/Score 8/10

Overall 6.5/10

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Could have been much better with strong execution

A thought provoking narrative about guns and violence, revenge of the past - Trigger is a good concept with a so-so execution.

The story follows Kim Nam Gil as officer Lee Do, who is investigating the culprits of bringing/smuggling guns in the country. The drama had a good theme - psychological impact of violence, the dangers of unchecked gun violence, and the societal factors that can lead to unrest.

The action sequences and the character of Lee Do is praiseworthy, however the pacing was uneven, with many unnecessary subplots. The writing was fine, but certain characters were underdeveloped. While the series did build a gripping story, the antagonist and the ending were generic, rather than intriguing.

Overall, Trigger is a decent watch with strong concept and a good performance from Nam Gil, however is pulled down by uneven story pace and unsatisfactory ending.

My Rating : 6.5/10

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Trigger: Deep Themes, Plot Holes, and Great Acting

Trigger is another action–crime drama from the Korean entertainment industry, but this time it revolves around a central question: “Does a gun bring justice to the oppressed, or does it instead bring catastrophe to the world?” Personally, I really like the idea and the message the drama is trying to convey. However, I wouldn’t say the execution is flawless or anywhere near perfection, even though the concepts of “trigger” and “gun” were delivered quite clearly.
The main theme leans more toward the grey areas, making it a sensitive subject that requires depth and nuance in order not to end up on the wrong side. Unfortunately, the drama lacks that depth, with plot holes here and there that make certain parts feel questionable.
Lee Do is a police officer and a former elite soldier who once served in a conflict zone. After being forced into a life-or-death decision with a gun in his hand, he vowed never to pick up that weapon again. He also has a dark past since his whole family was killed by a shooter when he was a kid. While his overall character is fine, he doesn’t leave a strong impression on me. Like many other action-drama heroes, he’s portrayed as highly skilled, kind-hearted, and brave—but without much that makes him stand out.
Moon Baek, on the other hand, is a character with a tragic and twisted past. Abandoned by his mother, he ended up in a child organ-trafficking ring before being recruited as a teenager into a foreign gang involved in illegal arms trading. He later returns to his homeland with the mission of making guns accessible to everyone, exploiting the oppressed and desperate to create chaos. I actually enjoy villains who go all out without remorse, especially when they’re smart—and I must admit, he’s also a hot villain.
As for the acting, everyone from the leads to the supporting cast—delivered excellent performances. Kim Nam Gil is undeniably a brilliant actor, particularly in action roles, though here I felt his performance left me wanting a bit more. Kim Young Kwang, however, stood out. This is only the second drama of his I’ve watched, but I really liked the strong, nuanced aura he gave to Moon Baek.
Overall, the drama is still enjoyable despite its flaws and moments of illogical storytelling. Since I’m more of an emotional viewer, my ratings and impressions lean on how much I feel during and after watching. I empathized with many characters and was impressed by the acting, which helped me sit through it all. It’s definitely not a solid masterpiece, but it’s still worth a watch.

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Trigger: My Weekend with Kim Nam Gil, Kim Young Kwang & Too Many Guns

DISCLAIMER:
This review isn’t my usual style. These are basically my raw notes, scribbled down while watching and cleaned up just enough for you to read. I’m not a professional critic, just a fan with a keyboard and too many opinions. I’m focusing on the story, not the camera angles or production budget. If you want a deep technical breakdown, wait for my friend @Zo****.
And don’t worry, no major spoilers here, unless you count my frustrations as spoilers.

The second I saw the posters for Trigger, I knew I was in. Then I found out all episodes dropped at once? Done. That was 380 minutes of my life… gone. But what’s life if not collecting bad decisions? And honestly, Kim Nam Gil and Kim Young Kwang, with no female lead to pull the usual tropes? Say less. We’ve been starving for action dramas this year. Sure, we got Mercy for None, but those six episodes were more “mercy-less” than merciful. And no, I will not start a fight with Netflix today.

If you’re an old-school TV fan, think Breaking Bad for the moral dilemmas and Narcos for the deep dive into the dark world of illegal guns. Trigger walks that same tightrope between psychology and total chaos. It’s a fascinating look at what happens when weapons flood the streets and ordinary lives get turned upside down.This drama opens a can of worms,and doesn’t bother closing it. I binge watched it in one weekend, pen and paper in hand like I was studying for the Korean SATs. Brutal. And at the end? I had more questions than answers. Does Netflix owe us a second season? The ending sure hinted at it, but waiting for K-drama sequels is like waiting for Kingdom Season 3: possibly lethal.

THE BIG QUESTIONS:

What happens when regular people take “justice” into their own hands?
What happens when society pushes people so hard they finally snap?
Are the “bad guys” really bad, or just good people with no options left?
Why is it that no one listens to the bullied until they get hold of a gun?
Are medical professionals equipped to handle extreme cases of mental health?

THE CHARACTERS

Moon Baek: Robin Hood in Tailored Suits and a Killer Smile
Played by the ridiculously talented Kim Young Kwang, Moon Baek was… a red flag identifying as a green flag. He outshined the actual main lead, Lee Do. Period.
He’s the cheerful-but-deadly villain with a heartbreaking past, which he casually shared with Lee Do during one of their “dates.” (Yes, I’m calling them dates. Their bromance wasn’t on my bingo card, but here we are. The best duo of 2025.) His tattoos, artistic enough to hang in a gallery, are part intimidation tactic, part trauma cover-up. Gunshot scars, body trafficking scars, surgeries… Moon Baek is practically a walking medical miracle. But his real scars? Invisible. And those are what fuel his twisted mission to “empower” victims, just in the worst way possible. He doesn’t give guns to the wicked; he gives them to the righteous who’ve been wronged. Which makes you want to root for him… until you realize the terrifying consequences of letting him have his way. He thrives on the sheer thrill of watching “security personnel” scramble and sweat while bullets fly, an epic display of just how outmatched the authorities are.

Lee Do: The One-Man Army
A brilliant former special forces soldier, should have been the unstoppable hero of this story. He knows his guns, his tactics, and the psychology of his targets. Yet the security force sidelines him, treating him like a part-time consultant instead of the asset he is. After his high-stakes past, he’s now stuck behind a desk at a sleepy police station, a far cry from his days in special ops. To the National Intelligence Service, his solo stand during the police station attack wasn’t bravery, it was paperwork. Just him ticking off his “body count” target. As if heroism comes with a checklist. He’s a highly skilled operative, but bureaucracy has him on a tight leash, forcing him to act like a pencil pusher instead of the formidable force he once was. Lee Do needs a gun, a team that actually knows how to use guns, and probably a better ride too. (Consider this a humble request to HR on behalf of all viewers.)

LET'S RE-WRITE SOME WRONGS:

The writer-director Kwon Oh Seung (pulling double duty...suddenly things make sense) is relatively new, with only Trigger and Midnight under his belt. Still, he’s going places.
By “places,” I mean the Police Academy and the NIS offices, because he could use some consultancy on how real police responses work. In many instances , every officer on screen moved like there isn’t a truckload of guns and protestors waiting for them. (To be fair… there actually was a truck full of guns. No joke.) Epic fail.
Some storylines deserved more screen time. The school shooting scene? That could’ve been an entire episode. It was psychological, painful, and had real-world implications. But instead of exploring the aftermath, parents panicking, the community grieving, we got a quick candlelight vigil and Netflix’s “Insufficient funds” notification.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Trigger is a brilliant idea that needed more time and more depth. I love shows that peel back society’s layers, ask uncomfortable questions, and challenge our sense of morality. This one did all of that… but then wrapped it up too quickly.
If you’ve ever been pushed to your limit and wondered, “How far would I go?”, this drama is for you. It will make you question the black, the white, and the grey areas.
Violence-wise? Pretty mild. They even give you trigger warnings at the start of intense episodes. (Maybe I’ve watched darker shows, but I didn’t find it that bad. Do I need therapy? Probably.)

Favorite Quotes:

“If revenge ruins my life, is it worth it?”
Lee Do

“In a world where the strong devour the weak, it’s not your cheap sympathy that will protect them.”
Moon Baek

Writer's notes ✍️
In a funny twist, I ended up watching Kim Young Kwang’s 2021 movie Mission: Possible right after finishing Trigger. He is now the real main character, and the plot holes all over Trigger? Filled nicely in this movie. Review coming soon. Stay tuned!

And finally, flowers to the real MVP of this drama: composer Hwang Sun Jun, whose portfolio is longer than the Book of Psalms. Brilliant work, he gave this drama an edge in the best way. Some of his work can be found here: https://kisskh.at/people/76665-hwang-sang-jun

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Thrilling show that has some dystopian elements

From the get go the show caught my attention and i was never bored for each episode. Everything was done well from start to finish, and the development of the main character was wonderful.

They show you two sides of the same coin but how vastly different they both ended up in life. The Hero and The Villain. Both with similar backstories yet completely different till the end. Such a captivating story.

The ending had me crying too, it was so wholesome! I love how the main character served as a symbol of peace in the end. If Trigger ever gets a season 2, I will definitely be tuning in!

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Unconvinced by the writing but properly subjugated by Kim Young Kwang's character

This drama focus on an interesting question : what would happen if illegal guns were spreading in South Korea, one of the nation with the lowest gun per habitant rate ? I was pretty intrigued at first but at the end I found myself quite unconvinced in the hypothesis offered by the showrunner on how the situation would unfold in terms of collective impact. I think the writing did a great job when focusing on individuals in circumstances in which they would be brought to litteraly push the trigger of a gun obtained illegaly. However, the big picture for the overall country felt definitely less believable to me. The plot armor of the hero, who was really strong and smart, was also a bit too thick for my taste.

The acting was overall good for the main characters. Kim Na Gil was solid even if I wish he had a role that allowed him to emote more because he was quite "stone"-faced all along the series. Kim Young Kwang was incredible in this : all his scenes (except the ones in English which were unfortunately quite a fail), all his attitudes and costumes were just chef's kiss. He gives a lot of charming vibes and craziness to the overall series. The filmmaking was excellent with some very powerful imagery. The tension and urgency were palpable, making the series quite thrilling.

I would recommend this to people that are looking for a thriller exploring a very interesting hypothesis regarding the impact of guns on a population with very low firearms usage. The deep diving on the psychology of targeted specific people (when in possession of an illegal gun) was really frightening and captivating at the beginning. Unfortunately the way it devolved into a larger scheme was much more doubtful.

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Loved it to the moon and baek

Sorry, I had to use that phrase 🤭 But jokes aside, Trigger was a really pleasant addition to my list. The story itself isn’t super unique, but the main characters are what made this drama so good.

Honestly, the moment I saw that Kim Youngkwang had the villain role, I knew I had to watch it. And oh lord, he delivered!!! I don’t think anyone else could’ve portrayed Moon Baek better. He was so damn charming and had this Joker-like aura that instantly captivated me. At first, he was such a pookie that I thought, “Okay… how is this man gonna turn into a villain?” But the transition was so smooth. He’s definitely one of those relatable villains you can’t fully hate, because you can see where they’re coming from.

Abandoned as a baby, victim of human trafficking, tortured, even losing an eye in the process… Then an American gang dealing in weapons took him in, saw his “villain potential,” and gave him the opportunity to return to Korea, the country that had failed him. I’m not exactly sure if he was a narcissist or a sociopath, but his vision that “free weapons would let people take justice into their own hands” was chilling yet oddly logical from his perspective.

On the other hand, we have Lee Do who also had a brutal past, but chose the opposite path. And don’t we all love a capable cop who knows exactly what he’s doing? It was inspiring and heartwarming to see how much he genuinely cared about people.

Still, despite these two amazing characters, the drama felt incomplete. There was so much more that could’ve been told and shown. I’d happily watch a sequel, though I’m not sure if Moon Baek even survived. Honestly, even without a sequel, the drama could’ve been longer. At least 12 episodes would’ve given it more room to breathe.

Some moments didn’t make much sense to me. Like… how would a country like South Korea let millions of firearms be distributed like bread every day? How did Moon Baek just stroll around freely, even shooting Lee Do in the middle of a city square without anyone stopping him? There were a few of those head-scratch moments, you know what I mean.

But overall, the drama was engaging, had me seated the whole time, and was perfect for binge-watching with its 10 episodes averaging about 40 minutes each.

The core question it raises is compelling: Would you want guns to be legal? And if they were, would you want to own one?

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