User reviews

Based on a novel, this is a dark psychological drama/thriller exploring complex themes of relationships, marriage and love. It also centers on themes of past traumas, psychological manipulations and complexities of different relationships. It's a powerful well-acted storyline that unwraps slowly but ever so steadily.

Thankfully, It's not a typical "Kdrama" series that you can find plenty of on Netflix and other streaming platforms lately but you wouldn't find Gong Yoo on one of those anyways.

The acting is quite solid especially from the main characters portraying their past emotional traumas and the slow healing they both go through finding each other again (as this was not their first encounter) and possibly lasting love from something that started as an unwanted, bizarre and disturbing contract marriage. But most marriages are contracts is one of themes the show explores and what binds two people together.

I haven't read the novel and I am sure this is not completely true to the book as others before it haven't been but on its own merit, this is a beautifully and well crafted production including the music scores and absolutely worth the watch.

I was hooked on the mystery vibes, but then it did turn into a pretty steady love story. It is in fact the story of several loves - In-ji's doomed love for Seo Do Ha, Jeong-won's love for Seo-yoon, Seo-yoon and her husband, Om Tae-seong's obsessive love for In-ji, and Jeong-won's unexpected love for In-ji. And vice-versa, in some of the cases.

The main story was a little surprising and a little unconvincing for me in the beginning, I am missing a timeline to understand how long it took Jeong-won to get over his obsession for his ex, which is paralyzing as shown in the first episode. There are quite a few things that don't make sense emotionally here, I am not given enough to believe it, there are connections that are a bit underdeveloped, such as Ji-o's apparent affection for his wife, which clearly doesn't serve him other than materially, and he seems to be a pretty material person, and by his own admission with a pretty mean streak. In-ji's past relationship with Do Ha is not revealed sufficiently for me to understand her heartbreak, or his actions, although I think we get quite a lot in episode 7. Better late than never.

I disliked the house, it felt very inhospitable and I don't understand why somebody would make (or keep) that as a home. Maybe getting stuck in your traumatic past. I didn't care for In-ji's style, I actually disliked the actress' face, I think the hairstyle that they chose does not do her any favours, it only makes her look old and gaunt, but maybe that's a matter of preference. I found her more appealing when her hair was more natural. It's an interesting pairing for sure, and not an obvious attraction. But this is a mature story and I liked that about it, despite what I said above. I guess I would have preferred more developed characters, because the mystery as such turned out to be pretty bland. It is slowly revealed piece by piece, but maybe the most shocking thing in this drama for me was Seo-yoon and Jeong-won's unhealthy attachment to her. And how a few weeks (is it weeks?) with a chill woman dismantles that whole relationship. It's a pretty tough sell, but I went with it because it felt satisfying to watch. What I didn't like, again, is the fact that they did employ the exhausting k-drama trope of them having met previously and it was sort of fate, right?

Also, how on earth did they find out about Ji-o? I wish they hadn't really. I felt sympathy for that guy, I don't know why.

"The Trunk," a Korean TV series featuring veteran actor Gong Yoo and actress Seo Hyun Jin, had me hooked right from its announcement. The electrifying chemistry between the leads was something I didn't expect. Although they both have quiet personalities, they understood each other remarkably well. Netflix did a fantastic job by releasing all eight episodes at once. The series had a gloomy vibe, but to my surprise, it was very comforting. The screenwriting was top-notch, and I binge-watched the entire series in one go. This is one of those standout series that Netflix releases every year. It felt like a perfect year-end K-drama. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope you have a great day!

Many people find this drama slow and not worth watching but I was totally invested. It does a decent job in portraying dark sides of human and marriage while exposing the characters' vulnerability; none of the characters is 100% 'good', I'd say, they are all jaded and broken in their own ways. With a tinge of exaggeration, the drama realistically shows how complicated and heart wrenching relationships can be. 10/10 for acting skills and the cinematography; I am not a fan of the intimate scenes though. Hope it gets more recognition; even though it may not be as good as the novel(?) according to some reviews, it's worth the time if you prefer the dark, depressing drama type.

Suspense dramas are not my favorite but I watched this one because it was also tagged as being a romance drama. It didn't really hit the mark for either genre for me. I thought the editing was rather poor. The first episode does not provide a very good foundation for what is going on an it took the next couple episodes for me to really get the gist of things. Also, while the flashbacks usually indicated how far back in time they were going, the flash forwards were generally not tagged and you had to glean from the context that the scene was happening in the future.

I also found the ending to be very unsatisfying...both the ending of the romance thread as well as the suspense thread...for the latter, some of the earlier flash-forward scenes provides misleading information about the fate of the villain that was intended to point you in the wrong direction as to who ultimately deals with the villain. That is just lazy/sloppy writing.

But on the bright side, I thought the acting was great. Seo Hyeon-jin and Jung Yun-Ha completely sold the animosity toward one another that their characters felt. And Gong Yoo brought to life how broken and submissive Han Jeong-won started and then how he was slowly rebuilt with the help of No In-ja.

Overall, I am glad I watched it but was also very glad it was only 8 episodes.

Best watched a second time (for me) - the nuances, the subtle transformations, cast, music, direction are superb. The use & change in the music's tempo's ascendancy/descendancy underscores the script development so, so well.

Gong Woo's performance of the character's growth is absolutely masterful. Seo Hyun-Ji is, yet again and always, excellent and, new to me, Jung Yun Ha is sensational. The complete ensemble perform extremely well, each adding another jigsaw piece with, perhaps, just a few bits of oddity in the script/plot - but ... overlook these for the essentials. But, then again, on reflection, are there? 💓 it.

The storyline's use of the trunk intrigues and, on reflection, encapsulates the story's development and characters brilliantly. In all, congrats to the whole 'crew'. Photography, art direction, costumes, locations - all wonderfully knitted together.

I'll watch again (and again 😆😁?).

Trunk is a story that doesn't have much to do with the highlighted, painted so misteriously trunk but it's basically a "manual" for couples to make their lives as miserable as possible. These people really love to torture themselves unnecessarily.

A couple can't use the most effective method called "communicating", instead resort to bizzare ways to test how much they still love each other by the service of a shady matchmaking company. And a matchmaking company that is surprised the couples they match may actually fall for one another and breach a contract? Who knew?

Throw in a psycho with not so clear relation to the protagonists but somehow knows everyone and dips his nose into everyone's business very conveniently.

Not sure about the story but 6 stars for hiring the still fresh in memory Squid Game recruiter Gong Yoo and some good acting by him given the nonsense he has to work with. The main beatch totally gets on people's nerves, she did well.

Seo Hyun Jin isn't ready to be a serious mean girl yet. Visuals are good, ending just meh. Again, happy ending could be us but let's wait until second chance encounter to be together because we haven't depressed ourselves enough.

I usually vote a series down for one of three reasons: 1) the ending isn't convincing and satisfying 2) the plot isn't logical and believable 3) one of the main characters is evil or just plain annoying andI lose all interest in him or her. The majority of K-dramas, lately, have fallen into one of these categories.

This time it's door no. 2.

I guess THE TRUNK works as a sophisticated, understated thriller, but I couldn't warm to the FL, played by Seo Hyun-Jin. She's an enigma, wrapped in a mystery - a reserved, cryptic presence, who seldom smiles and never laughs. Mistress of the blank stare, she gives herself away by small gestures, or the way her face freezes, mask-like, when she's guarded or frightened. Han Jeong-won, played by Gong Yoo, is like a needy puppy, blurting out his thoughts and emotions from time to time.

The details are what makes this series remarkable-the haunting, beauty of Han Jeong-won's opulent, but glacial, residence, the unusual score, and the terse, nuanced dialogues that insinuate more than they elucidate.

If you have the patience to unwrap each exquisitely conceived puzzle piece, you'll eventually suss out the situation. But by episode 3, I realized that I just didn't care. Why? Because the premise is so ridiculous. While the characters are well-delineated, the plot is contrived and unconvincing-especially the ending.

Gave this an 8 rating because the basic concept of a "marriage service" agency and a FL who plays the wife is not new. Saw another one of these K-Dramas with the same concept, albeit a different script, that was much better. This script was very slow going but if you can stick with it, the ML gives off a strangely calming appeal when he warms up to the FL who is also usually a quiet type person. He is calming amongst all his emotional problems, turmoil with his x-wife and drug problems. He makes you wish you could just handle your own problems so calming as he begins to rely and fell comfortable with the FL and finally begins to realize what a trap he was in with his x-wife (thanks to the FL new contract wife). The music is nice which helps set the mood in the background for the love story. Ending just Ok, not all that satisfying IMO.

I liked the kind of harsh aesthetics of this show and the cold characters, as it depicts the trauma of the protagonists very well. For me, the chemistry between the lead couple worked and the slow building mystery as well. I would have liked to know more about the marriage agency and how it works, as it is an important plot device but not explained very well.

Unfortunately, after a capturing beginning, the mystery plot is resolved in a boring and lazy way. The build-up to the Whodunnit and the ending in general is very weak and unsatisfying. More focus on the plot to complement the great visuals better would have helped a lot.

The Trunk, a recent Korean Netflix series, attempts to weave psychological depth and mystery into its narrative, focusing on themes of trauma, relationships, and intrigue. However, while its premise holds promise, the execution leaves much to be desired.

Strengths

1. Ambitious Premise: The concept of a mysterious marriage agency intertwined with personal secrets sets up a foundation for engaging psychological and emotional exploration.

2. Themes of Trauma: The storyline, particularly with Seo-yeon's unresolved grief and Han Jeong-won's struggles, opens avenues for examining human complexity and coping mechanisms.

3. Cinematography: The visual style and atmospheric tone of the series complement its mysterious theme, immersing viewers into its world.

Weaknesses

1. Pacing Issues: The slow narrative progression hinders the momentum, with several episodes feeling drawn out and lacking impactful moments. The genre-blending approach between psychological drama and mystery dilutes the tension, making it difficult for viewers to remain engaged.

2. Characterization: Most characters lack charm or emotional depth, failing to create strong connections with the audience. Their motivations and actions often appear underdeveloped, limiting their relatability.

3. Underwhelming Script: Despite its psychological underpinnings, the dialogues and plot twists lack the emotional resonance and intellectual insight needed to elevate the series. Key moments fall flat, leaving scenes devoid of intensity.

4. Unclear Agency Role: The concept of the secret marriage agency remains poorly explained. Its legality, purpose, and goals are ambiguous, which detracts from the intrigue. The agency feels like a plot device rather than a fully realized entity.

5. Missed Opportunities for Emotional Impact: The series introduces heavy themes like personal trauma and relationship complexity but fails to delve deeply enough to leave a lasting impression.

Constructive Feedback

To improve future projects:

1. Focus on Pacing and Engagement: Introduce tighter scripting and pacing to maintain intrigue and ensure each scene contributes meaningfully to the plot.

2. Develop Relatable Characters: Build multidimensional characters with compelling backstories and motivations to foster stronger emotional connections.

3. Clarify Core Elements: Concepts like the marriage agency should be clearly defined, enhancing the believability and immersive quality of the story.

4. Invest in Writing: Elevate dialogue and narrative arcs to match the psychological depth the series aims to portray.

5. Balance Mystery and Logic: Mystery elements should intrigue rather than confuse. Provide viewers with enough clarity to follow the storyline while keeping the suspense alive.

Overall Impression

While The Trunk has an intriguing premise and moments of potential, its execution lacks the charm, intensity, and coherence needed to captivate its audience. With more refined storytelling and stronger character development, it could have been a standout psychological thriller. As it stands, the series struggles to balance its ambitions, leaving many viewers dissatisfied.

Rating: 2/10.

The storyline was interesting, kept me binge watching the whole series in 2 days.

However, the main actress had a pokerface throughout the whole series. I think, I only saw her making a facial expression 3 times, in the whole 8 episodes. I get she had to be stoic and serious but d*mn..... I feel like anyone could've played that role. I mean, you'd just have to stand there with no expression on your face.

The other actors were amazing though. The main actor did a wonderful job.

It's got a lot of twists and turns, and it keeps you on your toes, but the main actress lack of, well... acting, just threw me off.

To be honest I haven't read the book that this series are said to come from, so my review is only about the series as separate from a book.

I literally binged it in one day, the plot had me on my feet until the end...and the visuals... I mean OMG!

The mysterious story that unfolds is a very interesting one, far from the typical KDrama clichés, and the main and second leads' acting was superb! The characters that unfold episode by episode were adequately developed, thinking that it was only eight episodes.

Definitely recommend it if you are looking for a binge-worthy dark mystery drama. And I need to say it, Gong Yoo literally never disappoints!

This was a puzzling story-though not entirely what I expected.

While it's marketed as a suspense-filled mystery, The Trunk doesn't quite deliver the heart-pounding tension you might expect.

Instead, it takes a more measured, introspective approach, peeling back the layers of South Korea's dating and marriage culture.

At its core, the show unpacks the weight of societal expectations-how family pressures, traditional values, and personal identity intersect to shape relationships.

The show sheds light on how relationships are influenced by external pressures and traditions, making it no surprise that these factors contribute to the country's low birth rates.

The thriller elements felt muted or absent. Nopulse of a psychological thriller here. Yet there were moments that completely absorbed me.

Initially, I was hesitant to watch it, because I was reading about all the people freaking out about its mature tone. If nudity bothers you then you might not want to watch it, but it was so beautifully written, a wonderful story about two broken people finding each other, in a not so ideal situation.

This is a love story.... A story about learning to love yourself, that it's OK to give love in spite your brokenness and it's OK to let people love you in spite of your brokenness. It's about finding that one person, who will accept you and handle your past trauma with care. A person who doesn't shy away from the ugliness that can be life.

I applaud the actors for being willing to put them themselves out there, in a drama that doesn't fit the mold of your standard K-drama. It's only eight episodes, but I think that was just enough. Any more, and it would've felt drawn out, any less it would've felt incomplete.

I really loved it and I hope others give this drama chance.

A story where two flawed and broken people find happiness(not the usual kdrama happiness where everything is fluffy and cute and cringe). Korea has a thing for contract marriages this year we have seen many contract marriage dramas..

The trunk was an highly anticipated drama of 2024 and for all this anticipation it did disappoint me a little:( the drama was sooo...how do you call it?? It did not have that x factor which pinned me on my sofa to watch it.. I hope you got what i meant;) I was about to drop it but for Gong yoo i gave it another chance.

The performances by all the actors was above par they all did the best they could for what was provided to them. I love slow burn romances but this was a slow as a snail:/ I felt like the male lead is a baby with a lot of attachment issues in a big man's body and the female lead who is not ready to move on from her past.

The cinematography is commendable and the background score is also good. All of male leads cars are soooo god;] So if you like slow burn romance with dark themes go for it it is a good watch.

It's a slow story. Once you know the storyline which is the first episode itself. There is nothing new to look forward to. They did try to put few twists, but very lame ones. It's a boring ambient watch while you do other tasks.

Was dissatisfied on Gong Yo's behalf.

They have portrayed everything dull and dreary. Even the houses though expensive, all have doom written over them. Probably that's what the director envisioned.

The actors were probably made to act very unemotional, few were probably consciously made to express very Robotic, no expression, just like we imagine robots would express to an action.

Long stares into eachothers eyes belng completely still, aparent depression, slow talking, prople ignoring eachothers questions changing subjects or making personal attacks. Its all very rude, strange and psychotic.

This series has a slow tempo to the degree the term 'booring' is no longer a fitting description, its more like walking through insomnia, half awake half asleep.

If you can muster the wierdness and keep watching, youll find a compelling story of pain and opportunity but also a story filled with logical inconsistency. The story circles a wealthy husband that divorces his wife for the love of his wife.., yeah think about that one for a while.., ..he divorces her to go into a fake marriage with another person for a year, with the chance to regain the love of his wife. We get to follow them for a year.

Its kinda anoyying, stupid and I keep wondering whats wrong with this.

Netflix keeps claiming goals of diversity but there is only japaneese people in this flick. I bet the netflix dei-hires wonder how a non japaneese person can watch this and even feel represented at times..

If this would have been made in europe or the states half the cast would have been african, arab, latino and a few gay White people.

6/10.