“‘Contract marriage’ might seem provocative, but in The Trunk, it serves as a medium to find the truth within the false,” said director Kim Kyu-tae at a press conference in Seoul on Nov. 26. Main cast members Seo Hyun-jin, Gong Yoo, Jung Yun-ha, Jo I-geon, and Kim Dong-won also shared insights about their roles.
Adapted from the novel, the mystery romance drama The Trunk explores a marriage service revealed through a trunk floating by a lakeside, unveiling an unusual marriage story between two individuals burdened by secrets.
Kim explained that while the series involves an external mystery, like a murder case, its focus is on psychological intrigue. “The key point is to follow the characters’ emotional journey and feel both fun and emotional resonance through their story of salvation,” he added.
Seo Hyun-jin, who plays Noh In-ji, described her character as “like a hermit crab, hiding a soft side under a tough exterior, carrying emotional burdens.” She appreciated “The Trunk” for its subtlety, with emotions conveyed through space and nuance rather than directly stated.
Gong Yoo, who plays Han Jeong-won, a man isolated by loneliness, said, “I immediately felt pity for Jeong-won, scarred by childhood trauma, living a lonely life, and plagued by nightmares.” He added, “What made him even more pitiful was that he doesn’t fully recognize his struggles, which deepened my compassion for him.” Gong Yoo also addressed Jeong-won’s emotional shifts, explaining, “Emotions don’t always follow logic; they sometimes spiral and lead you to unexpected places, which the series portrays beautifully.”
Jung Yun-ha, who plays Lee Seo-yeon, said, “Seo-yeon is a woman wanting love, but marriage complicates this for her,” adding, “I focused on portraying Seo-yeon’s human side, making her relatable and showing her emotions with depth, rather than just focusing on her extreme actions.”
Jo I-geon, who plays Yoon Ji-oh, shared, “Ji-oh is portrayed as perfect in the script, which felt different from me. I struggled with portraying his sense of knowing everything, but the senior actors and director were very supportive and guided me.” He also recommended, “The music and white noise were impressive. I think it would be even more enjoyable if you turn up the volume a bit while watching.”
Kim Dong-won, who plays Eom Tae-seong, added, “Eom Tae-seong’s enigmatic nature was difficult to capture, so I focused more on his behavior than overanalyzing him.” He also mentioned, “To fully grasp the charm of the drama, you’ll need to watch it not just once, but many times.”
Regarding contract marriage, Seo Hyun-jin explained, “I think ‘The Trunk’ isn’t meant to challenge marriage values. It’s about exploring emotions in relationships—the good and the hidden ones. The ‘contract marriage’ is just a narrative device.”
“The Trunk” will be released on Netflix on Nov. 29.
