“I realized why she is a top-tier actress.”
“I still find action acting quite enjoyable.”
With nearly 40 years of acting experience, the ‘Trigger’ team united around the renowned actress Kim Hye-soo, known for her undeniable talent.
On the 8th, a production presentation for Disney Plus's new original series ‘Trigger’ took place at the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. The event was attended by actors Kim Hye-soo, Jung Sung-il, Joo Jong-hyuk, and director Yoo Seon-dong. The event was hosted by broadcaster Park Kyung-rim.
‘Trigger’, the first highly anticipated project in Disney Plus's 2025 lineup, tells the story of relentless investigative reporters who aim to expose the wrongdoings of bad guys in this beautiful world. With the vibrant direction of Yoo Seon-dong, known for ‘The Uncanny Counter’, it is expected to captivate viewers completely.
During the photo time, the cast exuded a professional vibe fitting for the ‘Trigger’ team. Especially, the combination of Kim Hye-soo and the two male actors created an attractive visual that sparked interest even before the drama began.
Additionally, Director Yoo also drew attention with his tall, actor-like image at the event. Park Kyung-rim described him as “looking like a profiler on screen.” Jung Sung-il added, “Director Yoo is really great and a wonderful person personally. Isn’t he so cool? I thought he was an actor when I first saw him,” which brought laughter. Joo Jong-hyuk also expressed, “The director listened to my story attentively and showed great affection for my role, observing it delicately.”
This is Kim Hye-soo's second appearance in an OTT (Over-The-Top) drama since the Netflix original ‘The Silent Sea’ in 2022. Kim Hye-soo stated, “Trigger deals with serious social issues, but the overall tone and manner of the drama are delightful. That stood out to me, and the more I read the script, the more enjoyable it became. I thought the balance of wit, charm, authenticity, catharsis, and exhilaration was excellent,” explaining her reason for participating.
In ‘Trigger’, Kim Hye-soo plays the role of ‘Oh So-ryong’, the team leader, while Jung Sung-il plays ‘Han Do’, a parachute new recruit, and Joo Jong-hyuk plays ‘Kang Gi-ho’, a positive supporting director, all of whom are garnering attention for their highly synchronized characters.
Since there are no breaks for the investigative reporting program ‘Trigger’, the entire team is busy without a moment to spare.
First, ‘Oh So-ryong’, who grabs the collars of bad guys, is captured in a briefing scene, sparking curiosity. Her relentless pursuit of the truth, using any means necessary to expose the wrongdoings of bad guys, showcases the tenacity of an investigative reporter. Meanwhile, ‘Han Do’, who crash-lands into the Trigger team, is surrounded by cameras with a cynical expression, but gradually raises curiosity about the various incidents and accidents that will change him within the Trigger team. ‘Kang Gi-ho’, who is seen watching the monitor with a proud expression in the editing room, also shows his passionate dedication to the program, heightening interest.
Kim Hye-soo praised Jung Sung-il, saying, “I was very surprised when I first met him. I thought he would be cold because of his strong previous image, but it was a reversal. He is a serious yet delightful actor. I enjoyed acting with him and he was a synergistic actor.” She added, “He is a talented actor with an endless spectrum of facial expressions. I think viewers will feel a new impression of Jung Sung-il through this work.”
Regarding Joo Jong-hyuk, she said, “I thought he was a young actor, but I was surprised while acting. He is so kind and pure. However, he was different when acting. I wondered how he could express his performance so well that people could feel it. He is truly a diligent and skilled actor.”
In response, Jung Sung-il said, “She always treated me comfortably on set, and just being with her was overwhelming. That allowed me to keep up well. She was the best partner.” Joo Jong-hyuk expressed, “Both Kim Hye-soo and Jung Sung-il were my acting teachers. It felt like I was watching a performance as an audience member. I was grateful that they supported me with expressions that said they would accept whatever I did.”
Kim Hye-soo discussed her role as a PD, saying, “First, I consulted with people currently working in the field. It was very helpful,” adding, “I borrowed clothes that those people actually wear. A significant portion of the clothes in the drama is from current PDs.”
She continued, “I acted meticulously and constantly thought about how to convey the professional essence well. I considered how to maintain and present the balance and variations of authenticity and wit. I tried to find a sensory point in that regard.”
As she plays a powerful and assertive PD in the drama, Kim Hye-soo's action scenes are spread throughout. She mentioned about action acting, “I’m not at the level of going to an action school, but I managed to coordinate on set,” while also admitting, “There were some injuries along the way, but I didn’t notice them much while immersing myself in the acting. I did have a muscle tear.”
Kim Hye-soo added, “Strangely, when the camera starts rolling, actors seem to become physically strong. Experiencing action and working with my body while making this project is still quite enjoyable.” In relation to this, Jung Sung-il chimed in, “Kim Hye-soo is the fittest among us.”
The characters that further diversify the Trigger team are also expected to captivate viewers. Recently, actress Jang Hye-jin, who captured viewers with her role in the drama ‘The Retirement’, will showcase a distinct presence as the charismatic main writer ‘Hong Na-hee’ of the Trigger team. She is a character who delivers sharp critiques regardless of her position as CP or PD, and her performance perfectly embodies the character, significantly enhancing viewer immersion.
Additionally, Lee Hae-young, who plays the CP ‘Park Dae-yong’, serves as the big brother of the Trigger team with a strong sense of conviction. He is a character who calms the team members while pushing forward like a bulldozer, making it impossible to overlook Lee Hae-young's performance as he perfectly embodies the character.
Finally, Shin Jung-geun, an actor with a wide acting spectrum, draws attention as ‘Koo Hyung-tae’, the president of KNS Broadcasting. He is a figure at the top of the power hierarchy, always keeping a close eye on ‘Oh So-ryong’ and the Trigger team members, who cause disturbances both inside and outside the broadcasting station. His actions, which interfere with the Trigger team's reporting efforts and even declare the program's cancellation, raise curiosity about the hidden reasons behind them.
‘Trigger’ is the first work to be presented by Disney Plus this year. In this regard, Director Yoo stated, “We filmed it diligently and enjoyably. It’s my first drama, so there’s pressure, but I also feel honored. I believe Korean viewers will resonate with it, as the events are episodes that can be empathized with globally. I hope as many people as possible can relate to it and enjoy it,” leaving expectations high.
‘Trigger’ will be released on Disney Plus on the 15th, with a total of 12 episodes, airing two episodes each week.
[Ji Seung-hoon, Star Today Reporter]
