Unmasked – Your Show is About to Be Canceled

“Unmasked” (also known as “Trigger”) is a 2025 Hulu Original Korean drama series, with 16 episodes, and categorized as an Investigative Thriller, Crime, and Comedy.

SUMMARY: What kind of truths can be unmasked by a team of investigative journalists?

♦ I Accept the Challenge!

In “Unmasked”, Trigger is a team of investigative journalists and Oh So-Ryong is the team leader. They go after difficult-to-solve cases. Difficult? OK. More like impossible. But if she told her team the cases were impossible, they’d probably all quit. She is willing to literally risk her life to expose real-world pain and tragedy. The stories they report on are not for sensationalism. They are serious about the public knowing the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Oh So-Ryong is satisfied with the team members that haven’t quit working with her. Han Do showed up one day as a new member of the team. He didn’t ask to be assigned to Trigger and really does not want to work with them. He preferred working with animals because they were more “human” than humans. No matter. Oh So-Ryong took Han Do on an assignment with her and the investigative methods she used terrified him. He told her the methods she used were dangerous, risky and outdated. Why not try 21st-century technological methods to solve cases? That way they could stay alive!

Even though she’s the team leader Oh So-Ryong took his advice and the investigation was wrapped up nicely. They found the proof they needed, using 21st-century technological methods, but the Trigger investigation caused quite a stir. It was hard to get proof and expose the cult leaders because they had political connections. Nevertheless, they exposed a religious cult that had been growing poppy flowers (which is illegal in South Korea), manufacturing and selling an illegal street drug called “Halloween”. Oh So-Ryong got into a shouting match with the top boss of her company that ended in a challenge.

Trigger always airs each episode of the program without ads. That’s what makes them a trusted source. The head of the company says the show ratings are declining and they will only be allowed to stay on air if they run ads. Oh So-Ryong says absolutely not! So he challenges her. There is a complicated case and the boss tells her he can solve it before she does. If he solves it first, either Trigger starts airing with ads OR the show will be canceled. Oh So-Ryong accepts the challenge, but only because she has another case in mind, and intends to use her time to work on that. It’s a 20-year-old unsolved case and if she uncovers the truth, it will be a far more important revelation than the case her boss referred to in his challenge. After that, she’s certain the show won’t be canceled.

Meanwhile …

Oh So-Ryong is not happy with Han Do’s attitude and behavior. She tells him, whether he likes it or not, he’s part of the Trigger team and should start doing his job. Han Do has to work with, Kang Gi-Ho, the AP (Assistant Producer) on a “cat case”. Somebody is viciously killing cats and needs to be stopped. The police don’t want to look into it because … it’s just cats. But both Han Do and Kang Gi-Ho believe that a person capable of that kind of violence against defenseless animals might move on and humans might become their victims instead. The cat killings should not be dismissed as insignificant. It’s not a trivial investigation even though the police don’t want to spend time and energy following up on it.

Even though Han Do did not want to work with Trigger, he accepted the cases he was given, worked on them diligently, and submitted to Oh So-Ryong’s leadership. From corrupt cult leaders to cat killers to … who knows what their investigations would uncover. One thing was certain. Trigger’s goal was always to unmask and report the Truth to the public … WITHOUT ADS.

Main Characters:

• Oh So-Ryong (played by Kim Hye-Soo, “Under The Queen’s Umbrella”, “Juvenile Justice”, “Hyena”, “Dr. Romantic”, “The Face Reader”, “The Thieves” )
• Han Do (played by Jung Sung-Il, “Uprising”, “The Glory 1 and 2”)
• Kang Gi-Ho (played by Joo Jong-Hyuk, “Frankly Speaking”, “Extraordinary Attorney Woo”)

Where to Watch

Viewership and Rating:

• IMDb: 8.4 out of 10 stars
• My Drama List: 7.6 out of 10 stars

My personal rating is the same as IMDb.

The Trigger journalists investigated some fascinating cases. “Unmasked” has potential and several stories can be developed. In my opinion, there’s no reason why the series should not have more seasons. The entire cast worked well together but I am a very loyal fan of Kim Hye-Soo. Some of her K-dramas are still on my watchlist:

• Smugglers (2023)
• Signal (TV Series 2016)
• Coin Locker Girl (2015)

LINKS OF INTEREST:

Here’s your first look at Disney+’s upcoming K-drama, ‘Unmasked’ | NME

Streaming Review,  Light and Fun, ‘Unmasked’ Is a K-Drama That Fits Lead Actress Kim Hye-Soo’s Style to a Tee | ClickTheCity

‘Unmasked’ Review: Will The New Disney Plus Series Outshine The ‘Fiery Priest’ With These Gruesome Cases? | MSN

Kim Hyesoo and Jung Sungil make sure the truth is “Unmasked” | KAvenyou.com

TRAILER/TEASER:

Disney+ Singapore. “Unmasked.” YouTube, Video, 18 Dec. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2f9qoxs5mNY.

♦