Latest news with #KimYoung-kwang
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kim young-kwang takes on a double life as Moon-baek in 'Trigger'; shares reflections on gun violence
Kim Young-kwang plays Moon-baek In the gripping action thriller Trigger, Kim Young-kwang plays Moon-baek, a man who seems fun and lighthearted at first-a quirky, almost childish companion-but soon reveals a dark and complex side. The story kicks off with the chaos unleashed by illegal firearms hitting the streets. Moon-baek starts off friendly and even helpful to the main character, police officer Lee Do (played by Kim Nam-gil ). But as the story twists and turns, Moon-baek's true identity and intentions come out. Kim Young-kwang was drawn to this role because of its fresh, dual-layered character and found it fun to act out both the goofy and threatening sides of Moon-baek. This split identity was important in a story heavy with social themes. To balance the dark mood, Moon-baek's character brings some light-hearted moments. He wanted audiences to find Moon-baek entertaining so they could catch a breath amid the tension. Yet, once the guns come into play, Moon-baek's belief that firearms make the world equal is chilling-and Kim Young-kwang deliberately avoided justifying this dangerous idea in his acting. Action-packed charisma with a strong anti-gun message Despite his outstanding gunman scenes, including a standout moment where his towering 190cm frame unleashes a volley of BB pellets, Kim Young-kwang firmly opposes gun use off-screen. A self-declared "no guns" advocate, he said in interviews that if he ever received a gun, he would immediately report it instead of using it himself. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo He trained with a former special forces instructor to get his moves right but kept his real stance clear: guns are too dangerous to handle casually. Moon-baek's free-shooting style in the series was pure acting-and Kim Young-kwang's real-life stance is one of strict gun control. Moon-baek's increasingly flashy style in the later episodes also tells a story. As this terminally ill character struggles with his fate, his makeup grows wearier but his clothes become more dazzling-hiding pain behind glamour. Kim Young-kwang even let his real gray hair show to add authenticity. Stories of pain and a trigger for reflection Trigger is also notable for highlighting the lives of society's most vulnerable: a law student, a victim of school violence, an overworked nurse, a grieving father, and others pushed to the edge. Each episode underscores how desperation can lead to dangerous choices-but the show's message is clear: No matter the pain, guns are not the answer. Kim Young-kwang echoed this through Moon-baek, emphasizing that violence isn't justified by hardship. The finale leaves viewers with a powerful ethical question as Lee Do chooses responsibility over guns, highlighting how firearm access can awaken human violence. Kim Young-kwang appreciated the show ending with this thought-provoking message over simple action thrills, and he hopes for a sequel to explore these themes further. Beyond Trigger After the success of Trigger , Kim Young-kwang is diving into a variety of roles-romance, comedy, even fantasy. He looks forward to projects like the KBS drama Eunsoo's Good Day in September and the movie First Ride in October, plus an upcoming series Recharge Me. Known for his love of romance genres, he lightheartedly said romantic scenes always make him smile. He also dreams of fantasy roles involving elaborate makeup and motion capture, inspired by movies like Planet of the Apes. Trigger holds a special place for him beyond acting: during filming, he adopted two cats named Moon-i and Baek-i, after his character. He cherishes these memories and imagines spending his remaining time traveling with them if life were short-showcasing a tender side behind the tough character. Kim Young-kwang's portrayal of Moon-baek in Trigger blends thrilling action, complex morality, and social commentary , wrapped up in style and heartfelt humanity. It's a must-watch series that's as entertaining as it is thought-provoking.
Time of India
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Eunsoo's Good Day: Lee Young-ae's Dramatic Return to Korean Television on September 20
Lee Young-ae and Kim Young-kwang The upcoming Korean drama ' Eunsoo's Good Day ' centers on an ordinary day turning chaotic due to a mysterious bag. It features top actress Lee Young-ae in her return to television after 26 years, alongside Kim Young-kwang and Park Yong-woo. Directed by Song Hyun-wook, known for detailed storytelling, and written by Jeon Young-shin, acclaimed for realistic narratives, the series premieres on September 20. The plot follows Kang Eun-soo, a parent facing family crises, who discovers a drug-filled bag and forms an unlikely alliance with art teacher Lee Kyung. Supporting actors include Bae Soo-bin, Jo Yeon-hee, and Hwang Jae-yeol. This mini-series is positioned as a major release for the latter half of the year, focusing on themes of survival, hidden identities, and moral dilemmas. Production highlights the unique actor pairings and narrative depth, aiming to deliver intense immersion beyond standard thrillers. Lee Young-ae's Long-Awaited Return Lee Young-ae makes her KBS drama comeback after 26 years since 'Invitation' in 1999. In 'Eunsoo's Good Day,' she portrays Kang Eun-soo, a mother dealing with her husband's worsening illness and financial collapse. Her discovery of a suspicious bag leads to extreme measures for survival. Lee Young-ae is expected to showcase her signature depth in portraying characters under pressure. The drama explores the breakdown of normal life and the choices made in desperation. According to Soompi industry reports, such high-profile comebacks can increase viewership by up to 20 percent through nostalgia and star appeal. Dynamic Duo: Lee Young-ae and Kim Young-kwang The pairing of Lee Young-ae and Kim Young-kwang brings fresh energy to the series. Kim Young-kwang plays Lee Kyung, an art teacher with an appealing exterior but concealed secrets, including false identities. Their characters shift from a parent-teacher dynamic to reluctant partners in a high-risk venture. Kim Young-kwang, recognized for roles in 'The Villain's Biography,' 'Call It Love,' 'Somebody,' and 'On Your Wedding Day,' takes on this multifaceted role to heighten the drama's tension. The production team notes that this combination will create unprecedented narrative shocks. As per Sacnilk data on K-drama trends, veteran-newer actor pairings have boosted ratings by an average of 15 percent in recent productions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Were So Beautiful Before; Now Look At Them; Number 10 Will Shock You Reportingly Undo Themes and Anticipation for the Premiere 'Eunsoo's Good Day' delves into family protection, hidden facets of personality, and the consequences of desperate decisions. It stands out for its blend of crime thriller elements with character-driven storytelling. The series is set to air on KBS2 at 9:20 PM KST on September 20, with expectations of strong audience engagement due to its cast and creative team. Industry analyses suggest it could achieve high ratings, drawing from patterns in similar genre-blending shows.
UPI
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- UPI
Watch: 'Trigger' trailer teases 'chaos,' 'action' in Korean series
Netflix is teasing "Trigger," which arrives on the streamer July 25. Photo courtesy of Son Ik-chung/Netflix July 10 (UPI) -- Netflix is teasing the South Korean action-thriller series Trigger, starring Kim Nam-gil and Kim Young-kwang. The trailer released Thursday features gunfights, violence and mysterious illegal weapons shipments. Trigger imagines a gun-free South Korea, where Lee Do (Kim Nam-gil) is trying to put an end to the chaos that erupts after illegal weapons begin flooding into the country. Moon Baek (Kim Young-kwang), meanwhile, is an enigma, and his motives are not quite clear. The series arrives on the streamer July 25.
