Some shows take weeks to find their audience. Others explode straight out of the gate. Netflix’s latest South Korean drama has done the latter – and with an 18+ age rating, it’s not holding back.
A thriller that hits hard
Released on Friday 25 July, On the Trigger shot into Netflix’s global top 10 within just 48 hours. By Sunday 27 July, it had already climbed to sixth place, proving that audiences worldwide can’t resist a sharp, high-stakes thriller.
The premise is chillingly simple. South Korea, we’re told, is one of the safest countries in the world because guns are banned. But that sense of security shatters when anonymous packages containing fully automatic weapons start arriving at random homes across the country. Suddenly, ordinary people have the power to kill at their fingertips – and each must decide what to do with it.
From there, director Kwon Oh-seung spins a tense, morally complex web. As bodies begin to fall, detective Lee Do races to uncover not just who is behind the distribution, but what drives people to pull the trigger in the first place.
Familiar faces from Squid Game
Netflix describes the series as an exploration of what might happen if class tensions, justice system failures, and mental health struggles collided with the sudden availability of deadly weapons. Bringing this unsettling vision to life is a stellar cast featuring some familiar names. Kim Joong-hee and Lee Suk – both recognisable from Squid Game – share the screen with Gil Hae-yeon, known for her role in Netflix’s The Silent Sea.
More Korean dramas on the way
This release follows hot on the heels of Squid Game season three, which arrived in late June to massive anticipation. And Netflix isn’t slowing down. Alongside On the Trigger, the platform also dropped The Winning Shot, a lighthearted blend of sports and comedy. Coming on 2 August is The Way of the Law, centred on a prickly lawyer whose personality is as challenging as his caseload.
With its mix of social commentary, gripping suspense and powerhouse performances, On the Trigger has all the hallmarks of a binge-worthy hit – just maybe not one to watch before bed.
