[Herald Review] In play 'Trigger,' weary rifle retells Korea's turbulent history

Park Sung-hoon performs in the play "Trigger." (MBZCompany)

An old film prop warehouse in Paju unfolds an array of items of seemingly everything. A wooden case, in particular, stands out, atop a weathered piano and beside a Segovia guitar case. The wooden case houses a Type 99 Arisaka rifle from 1945 -- one of the last legacies left behind by the Japanese Army as the war came to a close.

The rifle, affectionately named Bbangya, becomes the unlikely protagonist in “Trigger” by award-winning playwright Kim Eun-sung. The play premiered in 2023 and received top honors at the 61st K-Theater Awards.

“If I tell you my story, can you grant me a wish?” the weary rifle asks, springing to life with a voice and a tale of its own.

The narrative of Bbangya begins with a surreal encounter with Nana, a drama writer past her prime who angles for a blockbuster script from Bbangya's story.

A scene from "Trigger" (MBZCompany)

The play unfolds along two intertwined narratives: the tumultuous life of Bbangya and the equally dramatic journey of Nana. Seamlessly shifting between these two stories, the stage becomes a space where history and present-day reality collide. Seven actors, except those playing Bbangya and Nana, each take on multiple roles to breathe life into the characters from both Bbangya’s tale and Nana’s world.

With Bbangya’s story, the audience is drawn deeper into a historical odyssey. The rifle’s journey mirrors its previous 17 owners -- including cold-blooded Japanese officer Kimura, Korean private Gil-nam, Chinese resistance fighter Seon-yeo, a Korean student soldier and a North Korean volunteer.

The stories in omnibus format are a poignant blend of melodrama and historical reflection. Each character is vivid, albeit at times cliched, with quick-paced dialogue that keeps the narrative breezy and engaging.

A scene from "Trigger" (MBZCompany)

Nana retells stories in her own words for a drama series. It is an endeavor that quickly leaves her torn between the urge to cater to the audience or to focus on what she has observed, a drier version the audience potentially favors less.

Nana's struggle invites a self-introspection on how we often consume history as another form of entertainment, separate from the lessons or values it teaches us to heed.

Actor Park Sung-hoon, known for his role in Netflix's "The Glory" and tvN's "Queen of Tears," is starring as Bbangya in the quad cast.

"Trigger" runs until Sept. 8.

By Hwang Dong-hee(hwangdh@heraldcorp.com)