Netflix series The Trunk presents an innovative approach to love, featuring a compelling mystery melodrama that explores unique emotional landscapes and relationships.
The recent production conference for The Trunk was held in Gangnam, Seoul, attended by the director Kim Kyu-tae and the main cast, including Seo Hyun Jin, Gong Yoo, Jung Yoon-ha and more. The series is a thrilling exploration of a secret marriage service that slowly unravels after the discovery of a mysterious trunk by a lakeside. The trunk holds the key to the hidden marriage of a man and a woman, whose strange and unpredictable connection takes center stage.
Seo Hyun-jin plays Noh In-ji, a character who faces emotional isolation after her marriage. She expressed that her choice to take on the role was motivated by the challenge of conveying complex emotions that are not easily defined. “I liked the part where I couldn’t easily understand the emotions involved. The script didn’t spell everything out, and the lines were long with significant blank spaces, which made me curious about how to express them in a new way,” Seo said. The ambiguity in her character’s emotional journey intrigued her and became a driving force in her approach to the role.
Gong Yoo, who portrays Han Jeong-won, a man who enters into a temporary marriage with an older man, discussed the emotional depth and nuance of his character. He was drawn to the story’s exploration of love and relationships in a fresh way. “I liked the original work’s planning intention. I think it will be a piece that tells a story about love and relationships from a different perspective. The variety of interpretations depending on each viewer’s perspective will make it even more interesting,” Gong explained. He also shared a personal connection to the role, noting that the character of Han Jeong-won reminded him of his past work in the popular drama Another Miss Oh, expressing, “It felt like a chance to meet ‘Oh Hae-young,’ whom I liked more than anything.” This comment brought a sense of excitement to the production conference, with MC Park Kyung-rim playfully remarking, “It’s like the meeting of Oh Hae-young and Goblin.”
The rest of the cast, including Jung Yoon-ha, Jo I-gun, and Kim Dong-won, also expressed their gratitude for being selected to join the project, emphasizing the warmth and camaraderie on set. Their genuine appreciation for the opportunity added to the positive atmosphere during the conference.
The series centers on the theme of “temporary marriage,” a concept that may seem provocative at first but serves as an essential narrative device. Director Kim Kyu-tae elaborated on the significance of this plot element, explaining that it acts as a medium to explore the notion of finding true love within a seemingly fake relationship. In particular, the evolving relationship between Noh In-ji and Han Jeong-won is key to the story’s emotional core.
“The temporary marriage serves as a tool for exploring the theme of love. In particular, the connection between In-ji and Jeong-won becomes the starting point of their emotional journey,” Kim said. He emphasized that the psychological and emotional dynamics between the characters, rather than the external mysteries of the case, would be the focal point for the audience. “Rather than focusing on the mystery of a murder or crime, the drama explores the psychological mystery of the characters. The melodramatic emotional line between In-ji and Jeong-won is the heart of the series, and I hope the viewers will follow that emotional development,” he added.
Seo Hyun-jin also reflected on the unique challenges of working on Trunk, expressing how she worked hard to differentiate her portrayal of In-ji from typical melodrama roles. “I wanted to make sure my portrayal stood out from the usual melodrama tropes. I focused on the script, and I trusted my co-stars and the director to help me bring the character to life in a way that felt authentic,” she explained. Seo also expressed her trust in Gong Yoo and Director Kim, noting, “I met a senior who is not only great at acting but also a skilled director. So I decided to throw everything away and follow their lead, letting the process unfold naturally. I was curious about what kind of results we would get from this collaboration.”
Gong Yoo also discussed his personal connection to his character, Han Jeong-won. He revealed that he chose the role because he saw a reflection of himself in the character. “I think there’s something about the character that resonates with me. There’s a part of me that connects with Jeong-won, especially because of how similar his emotional journey is to my own experiences. When I first met Han Jeong-won, I felt sorry for him, and my initial pity turned into a deeper understanding of the character,” he said. Gong Yoo’s performance is expected to bring a unique depth to the character, as he blends vulnerability with strength.
Director Kim expressed his admiration for both Seo Hyun-jin and Gong Yoo’s performances. “Seo Hyun-jin reached a level of reception with her portrayal that was beyond my expectations. There were moments when I thought, ‘Can she really exude that level of energy?’ She was able to transform the character into something multidimensional and dynamic. Her performance made the character so much more than what was written on the page,” Kim said.
He also praised Gong Yoo, who, despite initial doubts about whether he would be right for the role, ultimately brought a unique essence to Han Jeong-won. “At first, I wondered if Gong Yoo would suit the character of Jeong-won, but after seeing his performance, I realized that he had completely transformed into the character. His acting is pure, and he immersed himself in the role, bringing a fresh take on the character without overplaying it. He really became Jeong-won,” Kim added.
The Trunk promises to offer a unique mix of mystery, romance, and emotional complexity, with a focus on the psychological and emotional journeys of its characters. The series will premiere on Netflix on the 29th, and fans can expect a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of love, identity, and the search for true connection.
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