On the morning of the 26th, a production presentation for Netflix’s new original series ‘Trunk’ (written by Park Eun-young / directed by Kim Gyu-tae) was held at the Raum Art Center’s Majestic Ballroom located in Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Directors Seo Hyun-jin, Gong Yoo, Jeong Yun-ha, Jo Gun, Kim Dong-won, and Kim Gyu-tae attended the event.
‘Trunk’ is a series that deals with a secret marriage service that begins to be revealed due to a trunk floating on the lakeside and the strange marriage story of a man and a woman placed within it. It is based on the novel of the same name by author Kim Ryeo-ryeong.
In the play, Seo Hyun-jin plays the role of an elderly person who is an employee of NM, a fixed-term marriage matching company, and gets into a fixed-term marriage with Han Jeong-won (played by Gong Yoo). Gong Yoo is a senior citizen through the fixed-term spouse service applied for by his ex-wife Lee Seo-yeon (played by Jeong Yoon-ha), whom he still misses. I played the role of Han Jeong-won, who met Ji.
On this day, director Kim Gyu-tae said about being in charge of directing ‘Trunk’, “I worked on this work from the beginning of planning, and honestly, I was a little embarrassed when I first received the script.” He added, “It was definitely very fun, strange, fresh, novel, and literary, but the play He raised expectations by explaining, “The psychology and relationships of the characters were not easy to see through, and I myself fell in love with the work from the curiosity of ‘What is this?’ It was a work with such a unique charm.”
Regarding the reason for appearing in ‘Trunk’, Seo Hyun-jin said, “The director said that the emotions could not be felt all at once, but I liked that part. It was not written directly and there was a lot of blank space. I thought it would change a lot depending on who was doing it, so I wanted to try it.” Even saying that.
Regarding this, Gong Yoo said, “I liked the planning intention of the original work,” and “I thought it would be a work that tells the story of love and relationships in a different way.” He raised expectations by saying, “I thought it would be an interesting work with various interpretations depending on one’s perspective.”
When asked what effort she put into portraying an elderly person in the play, Seo Hyun-jin said, “I met actors and directors who are good at acting and directing, so I thought, ‘Let’s trust and do a good job.'” She expressed her special feelings about the actors and director Kim Gyu-tae. It gave us a glimpse of trust.
Gong Yoo said about Han Jeong-won, who he played, “When I choose a work, I think about how similar the character is to me, and it seems there is a character that I instinctively connect with.” “I felt it,” he explained, raising expectations about what kind of character he would appear in the play.
Meanwhile, director Kim Gyu-tae also talked about the bed scene that appears in the play. Director Kim said, “In any case, (the play) is about telling a realistic story with unrealistic settings, and in the setting of love between a man and a woman, a bed scene was necessary to explain the characters and situation.” He drew attention by saying, “But I didn’t use it in a provocative way, and I used it to the extent that it was necessary for the work.”
Meanwhile, ‘Trunk’ will be released on Netflix on the 29th.
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What are the key themes explored in the Korean drama ‘Trunk’?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and ‘Trunk’ Expert
Editor: Good morning, and welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Jisoo Han, a cultural analyst and expert in modern Korean cinema and television. Jisoo, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Han: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to discuss ‘Trunk’ with you.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. The production presentation for ‘Trunk’ took place very recently, and it’s already generating a lot of buzz. What are your initial thoughts on the show and its unique premise?
Dr. Han: I find the premise of ‘Trunk’ incredibly fascinating. The idea of a secret marriage service revealed through a mysterious trunk is not only intriguing but also opens up layers of emotional depth and character exploration. The fusion of mystery with poignant themes of love and loss is something that Korean dramas excel at.
Editor: Absolutely! The show’s central characters, played by Seo Hyun-jin and Gong Yoo, are said to have complex relationships that evolve throughout the series. How do you think their dynamic will resonate with audiences?
Dr. Han: Seo Hyun-jin’s character, working in a marriage matching company and taking part in a fixed-term marriage, suggests a social commentary on modern relationships. Gong Yoo’s role, filled with nostalgia and the lingering effects of past loves, adds an emotional weight that many viewers can relate to. Their interactions are likely to touch on universal themes of loneliness and longing, making them relatable to a wide audience.
Editor: Director Kim Gyu-tae mentioned being a bit apprehensive when he first read the script but was drawn in by its fresh and literary qualities. How important do you think a director’s approach is in bringing such unique scripts to life?
Dr. Han: A director’s vision is crucial, especially for a script that plays with unconventional storytelling. Kim Gyu-tae’s ability to balance the strange and the relatable will be essential in keeping the audience engaged. His background in creating psychological dramas can definitely add layers to the character dynamics and the overall narrative.
Editor: Seo Hyun-jin expressed her excitement about the script’s emotional subtleties and ambiguous spaces. Why do you think this approach resonates with our contemporary audience?
Dr. Han: In this era of instant emotional gratification, audiences appreciate narratives that require contemplation and personal interpretation. Seo Hyun-jin acknowledges that the spaces left unfilled encourage viewers to engage with the characters’ feelings and motivations more deeply. This form of storytelling fosters a sense of connection, as the audience must navigate their own feelings along with the characters.
Editor: Gong Yoo also talked about liking the planning intention behind ‘Trunk.’ What does this reveal about the production’s overall vision?
Dr. Han: This suggests that the creators are intent on offering something more than just a typical romantic storyline. They aim to weave a narrative that challenges viewers to think critically about relationships and societal norms surrounding marriage and companionship. It’s a bold move that can elevate the series into a meaningful commentary on modern love.
Editor: With such unique storytelling and a stellar cast, what do you think ‘Trunk’ needs to do to capture the hearts of viewers when it premieres?
Dr. Han: It will need to maintain a delicate balance between its intriguing plot and the emotional journeys of the characters. Strong performances, particularly from seasoned actors like Gong Yoo and Seo Hyun-jin, will be essential. If they can evoke genuine emotions and connect deeply with the audience, ‘Trunk’ has the potential to become a memorable series in the crowded landscape of K-drama.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Han, for sharing your insights on ‘Trunk.’ It’s certainly shaping up to be an exciting addition to Netflix’s lineup. We look forward to seeing how it unfolds!
Dr. Han: Thank you for having me! I can’t wait to see the series and discuss it further with everyone once it airs.