Mirmirshasha

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.