'Trunk': Gong Yoo and Seo Hyun Jin's Complicated Marriage Unveiled

'Trunk' features the intriguing pairing of Gong Yoo and Seo Hyun Jin as a couple bound by a one-year contractual marriage. What secrets lie between these two characters?

On the morning of the 26th, the production presentation for the Netflix original series 'Trunk' took place at the Majestic Ballroom of the Raum Art Center in Gangnam, Seoul. The event was attended by the lead actors Seo Hyun Jin, Gong Yoo, Jung Yoon Ha, Jo Yi Gun, Kim Dong Won, and director Kim Gyu Tae.

Based on a novel, 'Trunk' tells a mysterious and romantic tale of a secret marriage service revealed by a trunk that appears by a lakeside, focusing on the unusual marriage story of two individuals: No In Ji (played by Seo Hyun Jin) and Han Jung Won (played by Gong Yoo). The series is a collaboration between director Kim Gyu Tae, known for 'Our Blues' and 'It's Okay, That's Love', and writer Park Eun Young, who penned 'Hwarang'. Together, they aim to deliver a bold and stylish mystery romance.

Director Kim Gyu Tae shared, "I didn’t initiate this project; I received a proposal. When I first read the script, I found it perplexing yet intriguing. It was clearly entertaining but also strange, fresh, and literary. The characters' psychology and relationships were not easily decipherable, which piqued my curiosity and drew me into the work. I felt a unique charm that promised to be enjoyable. When I learned that Seo Hyun Jin and Gong Yoo were interested, I thought, 'Of course, I have to do this.' I was excited about the synergy between the two actors."

In the series, Seo Hyun Jin portrays No In Ji, who finds herself alone due to her marriage, while Gong Yoo plays Han Jung Won, who becomes profoundly lonely after tying the knot. The narrative will intricately explore their individual secrets and losses as they seek to fill their emotional voids. The depth of relationships and emotions surrounding the 'one-year contractual marriage' is anticipated to be vividly depicted through the performances of these trusted actors.

Seo Hyun Jin explained her choice to join the project, saying, "The director mentioned that he didn’t immediately grasp the emotions involved, which resonated with me. The script has a lot of subtext and space for interpretation, and I wanted to explore how different expressions could change the narrative."

Gong Yoo added, "I was drawn to the original concept and how it presented love and relationships from a different angle. I believe there will be various interpretations based on viewers' perspectives. Most importantly, it felt like an opportunity to work with Seo Hyun Jin, whom I admired from 'Oh Hae Young Again'." Seo Hyun Jin chimed in, "I was also excited to work with the 'Goblin' star."

Seo Hyun Jin gained immense popularity from the 2016 tvN drama 'Oh Hae Young Again', while Gong Yoo created a sensation with the 2017 hit 'Goblin', which surpassed 20% in viewership ratings.

Describing her character, Seo Hyun Jin said, "I see her as a character similar to a hermit crab, hiding her soft inner self behind a hard exterior. To portray her well, I focused solely on the script and placed my trust in my seniors and the director. I was fortunate to work with talented actors and a skilled director, so I thought, 'Let’s trust each other and do our best.'"

Gong Yoo reflected on his character, stating, "When I choose a role, I instinctively connect with characters that share similarities with me. This time, I felt a strong connection with Han Jung Won. Initially, I found him to be a pitiful character. He has a significant trauma from an incident in his childhood, leading him to live in isolation, trapped in his own world. He struggles with insomnia and is haunted by nightmares, leading to a lonely and emotionally unstable life. It’s even more tragic that he seems unaware of his own condition, which evokes a deeper sense of empathy."

According to director Kim Gyu Tae, Gong Yoo and Seo Hyun Jin were his top casting choices. "I was incredibly happy and exceeded my expectations. I feel fortunate as a director. Both actors are exceptional in their craft, and they possess great appeal in every aspect. During filming, they continuously supported and encouraged each other to express genuine emotions, creating a beautiful harmony. They truly are a lovely couple and remarkable actors."

Kim Gyu Tae praised Seo Hyun Jin's unique performance, stating, "'Trunk' has a peculiar rhythm, and as a director, I found inspiration in her expressions and acting, which helped define the tone and manner of the piece. In Ji's character was particularly challenging, and even I found myself questioning the duality of her actions. There are many scenes that reach extreme emotional heights, and I felt a sense of transcendence during those moments."

He continued, "I wondered if she could maintain such a high level of immersion and energy. It was impressive. In Ji had a monotonous aspect, but Seo Hyun Jin brought depth and variety to her performance, which made it enjoyable. There were unexpected elements that emerged, which I appreciated."

Regarding Gong Yoo, he expressed curiosity about how the actor would portray a character with such emotional deficiencies. "I was surprised by how he transformed the character from the script to the screen. Gong Yoo possesses a certain purity, and he fully immersed himself in the role while enjoying the process. Their acting styles complemented each other naturally, creating a realistic portrayal. This authenticity showcased the skills of seasoned actors."

The atmosphere was light-hearted, with Gong Yoo joking, "Why are you laughing? It feels like the production team is mocking us while the director speaks!" The director responded, "I understand why they call you Gong Yoo; you truly are a master of romance."

When asked about intimate scenes, director Kim Gyu Tae explained, "In the context of love between a man and a woman, intimate scenes were necessary to express the characters' emotional arcs. They were not used as mere sensational elements but were filmed at an appropriate level for the narrative."

Gong Yoo remarked, "I didn’t have any particular worries or concerns about the intimate scenes," while Seo Hyun Jin added, "If it’s necessary for character development, I trust the director to manage it appropriately. I didn’t see it as a significant issue."

Gong Yoo humorously noted that he was more concerned about a scene where he showers alone, which was hastily arranged. Seo Hyun Jin revealed, "He mentioned wanting to shoot it again."

Gong Yoo shared, "I had to eat a lot of greens in a rush for two weeks. When you watch the drama, you’ll see that the filming is quite beautiful. There are many fresh angles that I hadn’t seen before, thanks to the director and the cinematographer’s efforts. I think the shower scene features some cuts that haven’t been shown before. Anyway, that was a bit of TMI."

He added, "Here’s another TMI: during the shower scene, it may look like I’m completely naked, but I’m not!" Seo Hyun Jin playfully scolded him, saying, "Why are you trying to ruin the viewers' imagination?" Gong Yoo replied, "Let’s pretend I didn’t say that."

On their chemistry, Gong Yoo expressed, "I enjoyed 'Oh Hae Young Again' so much that I wanted to see Seo Hyun Jin’s performance up close. Although we belong to the same agency, we don’t see each other often, but that didn’t matter. I was curious about her and wanted to witness her acting firsthand. During our interviews with international media, I felt more assured about our chemistry as I realized we shared similar thoughts. It felt like we were on the same wavelength, which is why I believe I could work on 'Trunk' with Seo Hyun Jin."

Seo Hyun Jin added, "We didn’t have to force a connection; it just clicked. Whenever I had a question, he or the director would provide insights from Jung Won’s perspective, which helped me understand better."

In closing, director Kim Gyu Tae encouraged viewers to watch 'Trunk' while waiting for 'Squid Game 2'.

'Trunk' is set to premiere on Netflix on the 29th, available in over 190 countries worldwide.