A Quiet Climb in the Netizen Awards
In the 2025 Netizen Awards, actor Kim Namgil is turning heads with a surprise surge in the ‘Best Actor’ category. As of 5:39 PM on the 6th, he ranked 8th, earning 286 votes (3.7%).
Sure, he’s still trailing behind top contenders like Byun Wooseok (2,886 votes, 37.4%) and Rowoon (1,019 votes, 13.2%)—but fans are buzzing about a possible late-game comeback, fueled by the red-hot success of Kim’s latest series.
‘Trigger’ Pulls Global Viewers In
Netflix Korea’s original series ‘Trigger’, which dropped on July 25, is making serious global noise. According to Netflix’s own Tudum Top 10 rankings, the thriller landed at #2 in the Non-English global series category between July 28 and August 3. Even more impressively, it secured a Top 10 spot in 45 countries, including France, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore.
Set in a Korea suddenly flooded with illegal firearms, ‘Trigger’ follows two men forced to take up arms—each with a haunting reason why. Kim Namgil stars as Lee Do, a detective who returns to the line of fire in a desperate stand for justice. Let’s just say: he brings the heat.
Critics Can’t Get Enough
TIME magazine noted that if ‘Trigger’ had been made in the U.S., it might’ve been “just another action thriller.” But in South Korea—where strict gun control laws make firearms almost nonexistent—the story hits differently. The rare gun-centric premise in a Korean setting offers a fresh twist that international audiences are clearly loving.
On Rotten Tomatoes, critics handed ‘Trigger’ a perfect 100% score—praising not just the gripping storyline but also Kim’s deeply emotional performance paired with razor-sharp action scenes.
More Than Just Action
In a recent interview, Kim shared, “It wasn’t about flashy action for action’s sake. I focused on action that comes from a place of protection.” His character, Lee Do, understands the duality of guns—and that knowledge shapes every bullet dodged or fired.
Could Kim Shoot to the Top?
The success of ‘Trigger’ is clearly nudging Kim Namgil back into the limelight. With voting still open, there’s still time for fans to rally and push him further up the Netizen Awards leaderboard. After all, much like in ‘Trigger,’ every second—and every vote—counts.
