Gong Yoo, beloved for his nuanced performances, makes a much-anticipated return to Netflix with the mystery melodrama The Trunk, premiering this Friday, Nov 29. His last appearance on the platform was in the 2021 thriller The Silent Sea.
In The Trunk, Gong Yoo stars as Jung-won, a music producer who enters into a contractual marriage with In-ji, played by Seo Hyun-jin. In-ji works for NM, a company that arranges fixed-term marriages. The plot thickens when, during their fifth contract, a mysterious trunk is discovered in a lake, unraveling dark secrets and testing their relationship.
Photo Credit: https://www.nme.com/
The series is directed by Kim Kyu-tae, known for acclaimed works like It’s Okay, That’s Love (2014) and Our Blues (2022). Adapted from Kim Ryeo-ryeong’s 2015 novel, the story explores themes of love, trauma, and mystery from unique perspectives.
At a press conference in Seoul, Gong Yoo expressed his fascination with the drama’s unconventional approach. “This story isn’t just about romance; it’s a psychological exploration of love and relationships. Its interpretation depends on one’s perspective, which drew me to the role,” he shared.
Gong also reflected on portraying Jung-won, a man burdened by the scars of his past, particularly unresolved feelings for his ex-wife. “Jung-won is immature and haunted by trauma. I felt both sympathy and attachment to him, which made playing this character natural for me,” he said.
Seo Hyun-jin described her role as a challenge. “The script leaves much open to interpretation, so In-ji’s personality can change depending on how she’s portrayed,” she noted, adding to the excitement of taking on such a layered character.
With its gripping mix of romance, mystery, and psychological depth, The Trunk promises to be another hit for Gong Yoo and Netflix.
