K-drama Recapalogue Review: The gripping series that blurs the line between true crime and investigative TV (and erm… drama)
It took me three—or was it four?—tries to get into Unmasked, and I’m very glad I persevered. The story drops us into the world of Trigger, a long-running investigative reporting programme led by veteran PD Soryong and his sharp-eyed lead investigator-presenter. Around them is a crew of producers, cameramen, researchers, writers, and fact-checkers, each with a role to play in unearthing the stories the justice system has left behind.
Real Crimes, Real Drama
What makes Unmasked immediately compelling is its foundation in reality. It draws from chilling real-life cases: a cult and mass suicide, the kidnapping and murder of an elementary school student with echoes of Edmund Kemper, a tragic building collapse, the infamous Nth Room cyberstalking case, and the unsolved 1990s death of Kim Sung-jae from the K-pop duo Deux—a case that remains unsolved to this day.
Meet Soryong: The Hero of Trigger
Here we follow Soryong, who leads the long-running investigative TV programme Trigger. The show has been on air for over a decade, led by various producers through the years, and is one of the network’s most popular series. It takes on cases that the police and prosecutors have failed to solve—or, more accurately, have been unable to pursue further. There’s a certain dark humour in the scenes where police detectives quietly ask Soryong to dig deeper into these cases, not because they lack the skill, but because they are bound by the limits of a system that often buries inconvenient investigations to protect those in power. Corruption and kickbacks from influential figures tie the hands of their superiors, leaving Trigger to step in where official justice cannot.
Do’s Downfall—and Unexpected Rise
Then there’s Do, who originally worked as a PD in the drama department. Unfortunately, he had to endure a boss who was not just unbearable, but outright demeaning—to the point of absurdity. In one particularly ridiculous scene, they’re in the washroom when, as the boss is busy talking (down) to him, he touches Do’s face with fingers after doing his “business”. Eww. Do’s reaction? He was so pissed off (pun unintended) that he pissed—yes, literally—all over the boss. It’s a grotesque yet darkly hilarious moment, capturing the drama’s sharp, almost absurd sense of humour.
Because of that incident, Do had to be transferred out of the drama department. He actually requested a move to the animal programme, claiming that he hated people and would rather work with animals. Which is, in itself, quite hilarious—because, of course, it’s still people running the show, not the animals! But instead, he was assigned to Trigger, likely with an intention that he’d get so frustrated that he will leave the station on his own.
Giho: Ambition, Growth, and Grumbles
Then we have Giho. He’s been part of the Trigger team for some time, but still hasn’t secured the full-time position he dreams of. He tries relentlessly to come up with ideas for the programme, hoping to finally land a story so good that he’ll be given the chance to produce and direct it. Watching Giho’s character development is particularly interesting: he evolves from an entitled, grumbling “why-him-and-not-me” type into a more mature, responsible team player who moves beyond his me-first attitude.
Daeyong & Nahee: Heart and Backbone of the Team
We also have Daeyong and Nahee. Daeyong is the manager of the entire Trigger team, and he plays a crucial role in keeping the programme alive. Then there’s Nahee—my favourite character. She has the most motherly presence on the team and serves as the programme’s writer. She’s probably the only true friend Soryong can rely on. Her kindness shines through especially when she takes in a baby who survived a building collapse, a victim from one of their investigations, born amidst the disaster and orphaned by the catastrophe. Nahee’s huge heart makes her not only the emotional anchor of the team but also one of the most endearing characters in the drama.
Truth in the Shadows, Justice in the Spotlight
What sets Unmasked apart is not just its gripping narratives, but how it threads these real-life horrors into a drama that feels both disturbingly close and yet full of heart. It’s a show that doesn’t just stop at exposing society’s darkest corners, but also shines a light on the resilience and moral conflicts of the people who choose to confront them. Ultimately, the show’s power lies not just in its exposure of crime, but also in its exploration of the human cost of seeking truth.
And this is just the beginning. In the next few articles, I’ll be diving deeper into the uncomfortable themes the show raises—from the unsettling misuse of religious symbols, to the blind spots in our own morality, and the heart-breaking choices made by those who couldn’t escape their own shadows.
Stay tuned