The Trunk, Netflix’s latest Korean drama starring Gong Yoo and Seo Hyun Jin, is a masterful blend of mystery, romance, and psychological intrigue. With its slow-burn storytelling and shocking twists, this 8-episode series delivers an emotional rollercoaster that promises to leave viewers hooked.
The Trunk Overview
Name: The Trunk
Premiere date: November 29, 2024
Cast: Gong Yoo, Seo Hyun Jin, Jung Yun Ha, Jo I Geon, Kim Dong Won, Lee Jung Eun, Joo Min Kyung, Hong Woo Jin, Uhm Ji Won
Director: Kim Gyu Tae
Writer: Park Eun Young
Number of episodes: 8
Genre: Mystery, Psychological, Romance
Where to watch: Netflix
A Complex Plot of Love, Revenge, and Secrets
The story centers on Han Jeong Won (Gong Yoo), a wealthy but lonely music producer haunted by his dark past. Forced into a one-year contract marriage by his ex-wife, Lee Seo Yeon (Jung Yun Ha), as a form of punishment, Jeong Won’s life takes a turn when he meets Noh In Ji (Seo Hyun Jin), a professional wife-for-hire.
As Jeong Won and In Ji navigate their complicated relationship, their chemistry grows organically, veering away from the typical fairytale tropes of K-drama romances. However, their fragile bond faces threats from Seo Yeon and the secrets buried in Jeong Won’s mansion, culminating in the discovery of a mysterious trunk in a frozen lake.
For us, Gong Yoo and Seo Hyun Jin delivered the performance of their career in The Trunk and we can sense a few accolades coming on the way. The Train to Busan star is a veteran in the industry and his years of experience will show through his micro-expressions.
Gong Yoo became completely one with Han Jeong Won- from portraying his dark emotions, and a massive breakdown in the shower to slowly falling in love with the person he refused to eat with at first, he nailed each and every scene with utmost perfection.
Seo Hyun Jin as Noh In Ji is no less. Unlike Han Jeong Won, her character is stoic, sporting a prim and perfect smile, hiding her pain in a frozen lake. As the story proceeds, her complexity slowly starts coming to light, but the actress never lets you feel the jump.
The bonus is definitely Jung Yun Ha. She played Lee Seo Yeon- a somewhat villain character who is also battling demons of her own. The actress through the immaculate portrayal of her control freak, selfish character makes you feel so angry at times, but the next, you kind of take sympathy for her. It’s way more difficult to portray an antagonist role, and Jung Yun Ha showed her range. Honestly, in many ways, she reminded us of Lim Ji Yeon in The Glory.
The trio’s compelling performances elevate the series, making it a standout in the psychological romance genre.
The Wins and Challenges
Wins:
The slow-burn pacing builds tension beautifully, peeling back layers of mystery at just the right moments.
The characters are deeply flawed yet relatable, blurring the lines between heroes and anti-heroes.
The narrative’s non-linear structure adds intrigue, keeping viewers guessing until the very end.
The Trunk is a gripping drama filled with love, betrayal, and unexpected revelations. Its shocking ending and thought-provoking themes make it a perfect binge-watch for fans of dark, psychological tales. Whether you’re here for Gong Yoo’s stellar acting, Seo Hyun Jin’s layered portrayal, or the twisted love story, this series is a weekend treat you won’t regret.
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