New Delhi:
trunkNetflix’s latest psychological thriller is an adaptation of Kim Ryo-ryong’s 2015 novel of the same name. While the series remains largely faithful to the novel, it brings its own stylistic flair and some necessary deviations to fit into the medium of television. The main premise—Han Jeong-won, a man suffering from a tortured past and a broken marriage, who enters into a contract marriage with the mysterious Noh In-ji—remains intact, but the way the narrative unfolds changes. The story, along with the pace, differs from the book in many ways. The novel, like the show, focuses on themes of emotional trauma, psychological manipulation, and the complex nature of human relationships.
trunk It’s a maze of dark emotions, broken relationships, and unresolved traumas. At its center is Han Jeong-won, played by Gong Yoo, a man struggling with the ghosts of his past, including his parents’ violent history and betrayal by his ex-wife Lee Seo-yeon, who Portrayed by Jung Yoon-ha. When Jeong-won is forced into a contract marriage with Noh In-ji, a mysterious woman who was appointed as his “wife” for a year, he enters into a volatile relationship that Forces him to confront not only his past, but also the delicate threads that bind his present reality.
From the very beginning, trunk plays with its audience, leading them to believe that the titular trunk will be central to the story, but its role is far more symbolic. Although it rarely appears physically, the trunk is a metaphor for the baggage the characters carry – their repressed memories, their broken relationships, and their inability to escape their past. It’s a ghost, always lurking in the background, a reminder of the complexities the characters refuse to face. The trunk represents the emotional prison in which they all seem to be trapped, an ornate cage that seems to tighten with every turn in the story.
Gong Yoo’s performance as Han Jeong-won is nothing short of mesmerizing. He brings a raw vulnerability to the role of a man haunted by the guilt of his past and his present, unsatisfactory life. His character’s emotional arc is filled with nuance, as Jeong-won oscillates between desperation for love and the cold detachment his circumstances demand. Gong’s mastery of his character’s internal conflicts allows him to portray a man at war with himself, stuck in a cycle of finding comfort in the wrong places.
In contrast to him, Seo Hyun-jin’s Noh In-ji is a fascinating, complex character. On the surface, In-ji appears aloof, a professional wife who makes little emotional investment in her clients. But as the show progresses, Seo Hyun-jin peels back the layers of In-ji’s personality, revealing a woman shaped by her own dark past. She is flexible and vulnerable at the same time, and Seo does an excellent job of capturing the oscillation between those two extremes. The evolution of her relationship with Jeong-won, from strangers to something far more complex, is compelling to watch, even as it challenges both of them to confront the truths they’d prefer to bury. do.
However, the real standout is Jang Eun-ha, who plays Jeong-won’s ex-wife Lee Seo-yeon. Seo-yeon is the embodiment of a woman who is manipulative, constantly toying with Jeong-won’s emotions and pushing him to the brink of mental collapse. Jang Eun-ha plays her with a shuddering coolness, capable of inspiring both fear and fascination. Her ability to oscillate between cruelty and insecurity makes Seo-yeon one of the series’ most fascinating – and frustrating – characters. Seo-yeon is a woman who craves control, and the way Eun-ha portrays her descent as a woman desperate to reclaim her power from a domineering spouse is both horrifying and tragic.
visually, trunk It is nothing short of spectacular. Director Kim Kyu-tae’s use of lighting, location, and composition enhances the emotional colors of the series. The cinematography adds a dreamlike, almost surreal quality to the story, with often gloomy, claustrophobic interiors contrasting with occasional bursts of light that hint at possible escape or redemption. The juxtaposition of Jeong-won’s crumbling, old house with the characters’ dark secrets creates an atmosphere that is both beautiful and suffocating.
The show’s soundtrack, composed by Choi Seong-gwon and Kim Ji-soo, further adds to the tension. Music plays an important role in establishing the emotional tone of the series. At first, it reflects Jeong-won’s restlessness, with dissonant guitar riffs and the eerie sound of a tinkling chandelier echoing through his empty house. As Jeong-won and In-ji’s relationship begins to change, the music becomes softer and more melodic, indicating the gradual opening of their emotional walls. The change in music mirrors the emotional development of the characters, adding another layer to the storytelling and elevating the series from simply a thriller to a psychological exploration of human need and fragility.
Despite his many powers, trunk Falters in some areas. The speed is deliberate, which can be both an asset and a hindrance. While the slow build allows for rich character development, it may test the patience of some viewers, especially those expecting a more traditional thriller. The non-linear narrative structure also requires careful attention, as the story weaves between past and present, sometimes obscuring clarity in favor of emotional depth.
Additionally, while the title suggests a murder mystery at the center of the plot, the trunk itself becomes more of a puzzle than a tangible plot device. While this ambiguity adds to the show’s thematic complexity, it may leave some viewers feeling unsatisfied with the lack of resolution around this central object.
At the end, trunk It is largely successful, particularly due to the exceptional performances of Gong Yoo, Seo Hyun-jin and Jang Eun-ha, as well as its stunning cinematography and evocative soundtrack. Although it is not the traditional thriller that audiences would expect, it is a deeply psychological drama that explores the complexities of human relationships, trauma, and the dire consequences of an unresolved past. This is a show that demands patience and attention but provides audiences with an emotionally charged, thought-provoking experience.
