When you have South Korean actors Gong Yoo and Seo Hyun-jin team up for the first time, expectations are bound to soar. Netflix’s new series, The Trunk, features the duo in a psychological plot centred on the themes of a contract marriage and a murder that are absurdly interlinked.
Directed by Kim Gyu-tae of Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo fame and written by Park Eun-young (Hwarang), the show dives into psychological traumas, healing, and the complexities of relationships. However, despite the potential, the show struggles to leave a lasting impression.
The Trunk revolves around Noh In-ji (Seo Hyun-jin), a skilled executive at a matchmaking agency that specialises in ‘contract marriages’. Han Jung-won (Gong Yoo), on the other hand, is a celebrated music producer grappling with personal demons. The story kicks off with Jung-won reluctantly entering a contract marriage orchestrated by the agency.
While the staged marriage is a fascinating commentary on love and relationships, the plot thickens when a mysterious murder begins to overshadow the characters’ lives. The murder is tied to their respective past and threatens to linger and mess up their lives.
The undeniable saving grace of the K-drama is its cast. Gong Yoo and Seo Hyun-jin are phenomenal together, carrying the emotional weight of the series with their nuanced performances. Their chemistry is palpable, making their scenes together a highlight and a reason to stay invested. Gong Yoo captures Jung-won’s emotional struggles with a quiet intensity, while Seo Hyun-jin breathes life into In-ji’s resilience and vulnerability.
Their interactions add layers of authenticity to the series, grounding its more absurd moments. The complexity of their relationship is explored beautifully, and their shared screen time is nothing short of magnetic.
While the narrative attempts to take a nuanced take on marriage, linking it with a murder thriller, the execution feels disjointed. The two themes feel disconnected, as though the series cannot decide whether it wants to be a psychological thriller or a commentary on modern relationships. The murder subplot often feels like a tacked-on afterthought rather than an integral part of the narrative.
Watch the trailer of The Trunk here:
The absurdity of the premise grows on you, especially as the drama delves deeper into its characters’ psychological traumas. Director Kim Gyu-tae’s flair for stunning visuals and atmospheric storytelling is evident. However, even the impeccable cinematography cannot entirely mask the gaps in the narrative.
The Trunk has its moments of brilliance, thanks to Gong Yoo and Seo Hyun-jin’s performances. However, it is, at best, a mediocre watch.
Gong Yoo and Seo Hyun-jin truly deserve a better show to explore their acting prowess.
The Trunk consists of 8-episodes and is currently streaming on Netflix.
Source: The Trunk review: Gong Yoo, Seo Hyun-jin save this psychological drama
