My initial dive into Korean drama with "Trigger" was certainly impactful, but Ep 2 proved a more measured continuation after the first's shock. The initial jolt had settled, leaving a compelling, if more predictable, rhythm.
Detective Lee Do (Kim Nam-gil) diligently pieces together the apartment shooting's perplexing aftermath. While the gun violence continued, it lacked the element of surprise. Instead, the focus was on a society grappling with this terrifying new normal, handled with a certain dynamism.
The heart-breaking high school bullying motif, common in K-dramas, felt stark here, prompting discussions about its disturbing prevalence. It added a layer to the societal critique, though it wasn't a new revelation.
Moon Baek's (Kim Young-kwang) machinations continue to intrigue. His cool, calculating nature hinted at a grander, sinister agenda, and his interactions with Lee Do grew charged. This slow reveal of his influence drove the plot, even without immediate new revelations.
Minor realism quibbles aside, the episode maintained its taut, psychological grip. It leaned into the insidious spread of fear and moral quandaries, consistently engaging, even if the genuine surprise had receded.
6/5/10 but I remain keen to see these unsettling echoes play out!
