According to Netflix’s Tudum website on July 30, the original series Trigger ranked 4th in the Global Top 10 Non-English TV Shows for the fourth week of July (July 21–27).
Released on July 25, Trigger recorded 2.9 million views in just three days. (Netflix calculates views by dividing total watch hours by the show’s runtime.) The series made the Top 10 list in 20 countries, including South Korea.
Previously, in just 24 hours, Trigger has stunned audiences and critics alike, soaring to the top of Netflix Korea’s “Trending Now” list and outpacing major blockbusters—including the highly anticipated Squid Game 3.
Released on July 25 at 4 PM, Trigger quickly became the most-watched show in Korea by the next day, overtaking The Winning Try and Squid Game 3. The explosive success has sparked intense conversation online, with fans praising the show’s raw portrayal of chaos, morality, and the terrifying consequences of widespread gun access in a country where firearms are strictly banned.
Gunfire, Guilt, and Grit: Meet the Cast
Directed by Kwon Oh-seung (Midnight) and co-directed by Kim Jae-hoon, Trigger presents a gripping what-if scenario: “What if illegal guns were distributed randomly in South Korea.“
In a society already strained by rising social tensions, Trigger imagines how access to lethal weapons could shatter order—and what choices individuals might make under pressure. “I started with the question: how would people react if someone maliciously handed out guns in such a society?” said Director Kwon. “The action changes depending on who holds the weapon.”
Kim Nam-gil leads as Lee Do, a former sniper turned police officer, who picks up a weapon again not out of desire, but necessity. “Instead of flashy action, I aimed for restraint, in line with the character’s values,” said Kim Nam-gil.
Kim Young-kwang plays Moon Baek, Lee Do’s unpredictable partner whose carefree exterior masks a philosophical core. “The character’s transformation fascinated me. I changed my styling gradually as his journey intensified.”
Park Hoon, as the fixer Goo Jung-man, and Kil Hae-yeon, portraying grieving mother Oh Kyung-sook, add emotional depth to a show filled with high-stakes action and chilling realism. “The nightmare of guns arriving and the desperation of the people gave me chills,” Kil Hae-yoon said.
A Virus of Violence: Characters Drive the Action
What sets Trigger apart from typical action series is its focus on character psychology. The show makes it clear: it’s not just about pulling the trigger—it’s about why. “The people holding guns change every episode,” said Kim Nam-gil. “Understanding why they make that choice—that’s the real ‘trigger.’”
Kim Young-kwang added, “The guns spread like a virus. But whether or not someone pulls the trigger depends on their inner conflict.” Director Kwon emphasized the relatability of each scenario, with gun-holders portrayed as everyday people—not villains or extremists—making their decisions all the more unsettling.
A Runaway Hit: Reactions Pour In
Since its release, Trigger has generated a storm of viewer reactions:
- “So thrilling I can’t sleep.”
- “Kim Nam-gil is aging like fine wine.”
- “This is the best content I’ve seen recently.”
The series’ stark visuals, moral ambiguity, and raw emotion have struck a chord, turning Trigger into one of 2025’s most buzzed-about Korean dramas. With all 10 episodes now streaming, Trigger has firmly planted itself as a must-watch, proving that sometimes, the scariest weapon isn’t the gun—but the reason someone picks it up.
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