Actor Kim Nam-gil (45), known as an 'action master', has returned as a police officer this time.
The Netflix series 'Trigger' is an action thriller depicting the story of two men who take up arms for their own reasons amidst a backdrop of illegal firearms being delivered from unknown sources and constant gun incidents in South Korea, a country known for its gun control.
Directed and written by Kwon Oh-seung, who gained attention at the Fantasia International Film Festival with 'Midnight', Kim Nam-gil plays Lee Do, a current police officer who was once a military sniper in a dangerous conflict zone.
Regarding the recent Songdo shooting incident, Kim Nam-gil cautiously stated, "We did not foresee such a situation when we created this. I hope it can be viewed separately from the work."
He continued, "We imagined something that could happen in reality with a fantastical element in our country, and I was surprised that such an event actually occurred. In that sense, the timing is delicate."
He explained his reason for participating in this project, saying, "The concept was good. In our country, due to mandatory military service, half of the population can handle firearms, and firearms are illegal. If guns were to be opened in that situation, various conflicts and issues would arise, and I found the setting of how people would react to be fresh. I was also curious about the global response."
He added, "When I was younger, I sometimes wondered what it would be like if I had a gun, and I was exposed to guns a lot in games. I approached the number of bullets and firearms sensitively. That made me more scared, and the production team worked hard to ensure there was no viewer rejection."
When asked why he imagined having a gun in the past, he explained, "When I was younger, I wasn't fully developed as a person, so I thought that if I had a gun, I might have shot someone if I got a little emotional. Rather than thinking about punishing someone, I considered the power aspect of having a gun. At that time, I felt repressed and constrained, and I imagined it as an escape route."
He continued, "While working on this project, my values tend to change according to the story or message completed by the writer or director. I used to think it might be necessary to protect myself. It started in the U.S. to protect livestock and property. Then I resonated with Lee Do's thought of whether peace gained by killing someone is meaningful. Personally, I liked the ending of 'Trigger' because I thought it would be better to eliminate dangerous elements for future generations."
He also revealed the reason for using restrained action in 'Trigger'. He said, "Typically, when we think of gun action, it involves punishing villains or using it as a tool for revenge, but Lee Do enters to restrain and control someone's trigger. That's why we used restrained action, and instead of using guns, we focused on hand-to-hand action to convey the message of not treating violence lightly," he explained. "Hand-to-hand action is mainly for defense and does not lead to killing. The way a knife cuts depends on the area, but a gun inflicts fatal injuries. It is recognized as a tool that takes a person's life, so we tried to exclude that."
He continued, "Some people ask if we can't just punish them decisively, or how long we will be good. But I think that's Lee Do's philosophy. There is a determination not to repeat past mistakes or situations. When I think of myself, I think of something more instinctive, direct, and refreshing, so it feels like a long time since I've had a mild flavor. Some people wonder how it would have been if Lee Do's punishment had been clearer dramatically. Although Lee Do's actions may seem frustrating, it was restrained because of the message of this work."
Furthermore, he emphasized, "The part I found most difficult to understand was when I was working on the drama 'Those Who Read the Minds of Evil', when profiler Kwon Il-yong said, 'Hate the sin, but do not hate the sinner.' I wondered how that could make sense. I still don't fully understand it, but if there is no other way and one resorts to extremes to protect oneself, it could lead to a vicious cycle. Just like the police chief said to Lee Do, I liked the ending where Lee Do could return the grace and love he received. It was frustrating, but I thought it was right."
Regarding the title of 'action master', he said, "Action is all comfortable," but added, "I have become more fearful than before. In the past, I jumped in without knowing, but now I wonder if I can do it. The action I did as a child is different now. It has changed to action that incorporates know-how. I think action is part of acting. The character's emotions should also be beautiful. That's what I pursue. There are many actors who are better at action than I am. Each actor has their own strengths in action. I think I get to say that because I show a lot. I also want to try a noir romance with action."
Recently, Kim Nam-gil has mainly played righteous characters in dramas such as 'The Sound of the Thief's Sword' and 'Hot Blooded Priest'.
He stated, "It wasn't intentional. Rather than grandly doing it for justice, I think it's a basic value that people uphold while living. I can also be cowardly and hide in certain situations. Basically, I have a mindset that I should represent the weak in the areas I work in. So, as I expand the character from that perspective, I ended up playing a lot of righteous characters unintentionally. If I play a villain, it could change."
He recently celebrated the joy of his short film 'How to Open a Door' being officially invited to the Fantasia International Film Festival.
He said, "I didn't create the work with that intention. However, senior Jeon Do-yeon, after returning from Cannes, said that although the language and living environments are different, what we see and feel is the same. It's a work for independent youth, and that message is not limited to our country. That's why I think we were invited," while also adding, "I will come back with good works in the future."
In conclusion, Kim Nam-gil stated, "'Trigger' is a work with the power of storytelling, and I think it's good to have a work that can be discussed together. Even if there is a clear message, I believe there are stories to be expanded upon. So, I hope that other content can be influenced and develop into works that can emerge."
[Yang So-young, Star Today Reporter]
