1. “Melodrama Masters” Seo Hyun-jin & Gong Yoo: A Dream Team Meeting!
Tension Drivers: Jung Yun-ha, Jo Yi-geon and Kim Dong-won
“The Trunk” depicts two people under one-year marriage contract and a mysterious trunk, combining mystery and melodrama. The collaboration of Seo Hyun-jin and Gong Yoo has already garnered attention, while the inclusion of “fresh” actors like Jung Yun-ha, Jo Yi-geon and Kim Dong-won further raises expectations.
Director Kim Kyu-tae shared at the press conference, “I joined out of curiosity about the synergy between Seo Hyun-jin and Gong Yoo.” Their distinct emotional depth promises to be a key highlight. Seo Hyun-jin transforms into Noh In-ji, a woman left alone because of marriage, while Gong Yoo plays Han Jeong-won, a man who feels extreme loneliness despite being married.
Adding tension to the plot are Jung Yun-ha as Lee Seo-yeon, a woman whose marriage reveals her warped desires; Jo Yi-geon as Yoon Ji-oh, a man who discovers true love after marriage; and Kim Dong-won as Eom Tae-seong, a suspicious man who suddenly appears in their lives. The interplay of real and fake, desire and longing, and the actors’ passionate performances promise a gripping narrative.
2. Secret Marriage and Mysterious Murder Case
“The Trunk”‘s Unique Blend of Mystery and Melodrama
Director Kim Kyu-tae described the series as primarily focused on melodrama and mystery. The plot intricately links a secret marriage and a mysterious murder case, creating a gripping narrative from start to finish. The story explores the healing and love between Noh In-ji and Han Jeong-won as they fill each other’s voids, while the discovery of a trunk by the lake and the ensuing investigation unravel layers of truth. The suspenseful tension keeps viewers engrossed.
Director Kim Kyu-tae noted that the series deviates from the original novel’s tone, expanding its melodramatic and mysterious aspects. He teased, “What secrets are hidden in the one-year contractual marriage governed by rules and manuals? What truths lie submerged with the trunk?”
3. Elevated Details: Art & Music Enhancing Emotional Depth
“The Trunk” is based on Kim Ryeo-ryeong’s novel of the same name, renowned for its bold themes and imaginative premise. Directed by Kim Kyu-tae (“Our Blues”, “It’s Okay, That’s Love”) and written by Park Eun-young (“Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth”), the series marks director Kim Kyu-tae’s first venture into series direction. Director Kim Kyu-tae described the project as embodying a “subtle yet bold style, with unique atmospheres and dualistic imagery”.
Special attention was paid to details, including art and music, to enhance the emotional depth of the melodrama and the immersion of the mystery. Director Kim revealed, “We focused on how to design key props like Jeong-won’s house, the trunk and the chandelier with bold tones.”
For music and sound, the team aimed for “a mix of eeriness, sensuality and audacity, with the use of white noise to amplify the mystery and tension”. The editing also plays with the boundaries of melodrama and mystery, maintaining a delicate balance. The cast praised the series’ artistic and musical elements, describing it as a “well-crafted mystery melodrama with rich and beautiful visuals”.
Netflix’s series “The Trunk” premiered worldwide on Nov 29th at 5 PM.
Source: Nate
