 |
| ▲ Lee Do, played by Kim Nam-gil is featured in this still from "Trigger," provided by Netflix. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, July 29 (Yonhap) -- Actor Kim Nam-gil said he found the premise of "Trigger" fascinating: guns spreading in a technically gun-free South Korea, a country where, ironically, most men are professionally trained to use firearms due to mandatory military service.
The premise, he thought, could spark important conversations about a subject that doesn't seem "too far-fetched," but rather surprisingly plausible.
"It was a great premise. Some might find the idea of many men being able to handle a gun unbelievable, but in our country, it is a reality because of military duty," Kim said at an interview with local reporters on Tuesday.
"That is why exploring what might happen if guns were suddenly made available felt so fresh and interesting," he said.
Netflix's new Korean original series, released last Friday, centers on the uneasy alliance between Lee Do (Kim), a former sniper now working as a police officer, and the mysterious Moon-baek (Kim Young-kwang).
In the show, the unlikely pair embarks on a dangerous mission to stop the widespread chaos unleashed by the sudden influx of illegal guns.
Lee Do struggles with the morality of using a gun, constantly questioning if it is right to harm one person to save another. Kim noted that his character actively seeks alternatives to firearms whenever possible.
Reflecting on the theme, he shared his own honest and evolving thoughts on guns.
"When I was younger and emotionally immature, I admit there were moments of anger where I felt the impulse to use a gun as an outlet, if one were available," he said.
"But now, I can't help but feel that if peace can only be achieved by killing someone, that's a kind of peace we should avoid altogether," he said.
 |
| ▲ Actor Kim Nam-gil is seen in this image provided by Netflix. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Coincidentally, the series' release was marked by a tragic real-life incident in which a father in Incheon, west of Seoul, allegedly shot and killed his son during his birthday party.
"While our show has fantastical elements, I always felt it was also very plausible. Nevertheless, I was deeply shocked when I heard about the incident," the actor said.
The 45-year-old, who made his debut in a 1999 TV series, is known for his broad acting spectrum, spanning various genres from historical dramas and melodramas to thrillers.
The actor said he chose "Trigger" because he believed it could provide fodder for thought and discussion, if not outright debate, describing the 10-episode series as "a compelling piece of work with a strong narrative."
"I'm drawn to projects with a strong message, which can be expanded into a larger theme that challenges people's perceptions," he said. "Moreover, that kind of dialogue can ultimately inspire a whole new project, fostering a virtuous cycle in the content industry."
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved
