The Trunk (2024)

Gag. Couldn't finish it fast enough

Some series are so bad I just stop watching them. Because this one was only 8 episodes I convinced myself to blaze through it in the hope that something good would happen. Nope. Train wreck. The uncensored sex scene didn't add anything cuz if I wanted that I know where to find it. The timeline bouncing around was a distraction. I feel like the writer has had a difficult life and this series represented some kind of catharsis. No likeable characters. Few happy moments. I guess there is an audience for this kind of show but it ain't me. Someone commented that it should have been a movie. I guess the powers that be recognized it sucked so it was limited to 8 episodes. One episode would have been plenty.

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Underdeveloped Story... should you watch now, skip or watch later?

I watched the drama in one sitting and often skipped due to unnecessary scenes.

Plot: I feel that the story is underdeveloped. It is complex but lacks depth. The story lacks a central conflict driving the narrative. There were plot holes, and the investigation of the death story was not seamlessly done. I always think it was added to complicate the story, but it's unnecessary. Indeed, the characters must be built out of circumstances that happened to each character, but the female lead character was full of twists, trying to make her life appear miserable and broken, and to me, ended up with a question - what happened?

What's good about the story: They were able to stitch a good story about the cause of divorce between HJ and LS.

Romance: I think it was sufficient; it was nicely done, and it did not feel like the story was trying so hard to build the romance. It was ok.

The title: It seems they made the title as if the trunk is the driver of the mystery, but it was disappointing... Is it just me? The trunk could even be omitted.

The acting: I liked Seo Hyun-jin even from the other dramas she did. I knew she was a good actress. I know that Gong Yoo was one of the most popular actors in Korea, but I've not seen his works, apart from the old Coffee Prince. Maybe he is a good actor, but I did not feel him in this drama.

Recommendation: Watch later when you have no other drama to watch.

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Character study on control, companionship, and closure

A story about broken people who find healing through an unorthodox situation done well. Despite In Ji's cold seeming exterior, she's actually deeply empathetic and caring. Jeong Won is a similar type of person on the inside as well, but he's been hurting for so long with his abusive family situation, both from his father and his ex-wife, that the contract marriage is what showed him what peace is like with a person that doesn't want to hurt him. It's wonderful seeing them gaining the strength to be a catalyst of positive change for the other person as they grew closer. Seo Yeon also holds her own pain that causes her psychologically manipulate and hurt Jeong Won to punish him. She is able to move on as well through her own journey with her contract marriage partner. The unhinged stalker is sadly realistic in his unrelenting harassment and escalating violence. Regardless of legal intervention, there is no enforcement that protects his victims against him. Jeong Won inviting him into the house where In Ji now lives and to sit down with them, was the most clueless man thing that he could do. Even well meaning men don't understand the severity of the danger for women. Ji Oh didn't get as much development as the other three characters, but he too was suffering from guilt from not stepping in when his colleague was murdered by stalker guy. He clearly didn't have any assassin skills, his boss did him dirty to ask him to be the one to do it. I like that both In Ji and Jeong Won moved on from the houses that was the husks with painful memories and lived their own lives for a good while before reuniting.

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I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed.

Maybe I should have watched Dune: Prophecy.I don't know.

I absolutely adored the aesthetic of the show. The house, the lake, and the colors. I thought the aesthetic was the most creative part of this series.
I was ready to rate this 6 stars because the visually is beautiful and the music is amazing, but as I kept watching, the story lacked too much to retain my interest.
A dark tale of grief, mental health and loneliness. The concept was really good but the execution just didn't do it for me. Maybe my expectations were too high. But nothing can change the fact that this was a very unsatisfying series. There were parts I enjoyed ( but it wasn't enough to keep me on the edge of my seat) but there were parts which were simply put- so bland.
5 stars - because of the artists & the beauty.
It's always hard for me to give a low score, but... I guess I can't give more.

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Well-acted, beautifully directed story that fell apart due to poor writing execution

SUMMARY:

Strengths:
- There are some really subtly romantic scenes and moments + some really spicy scenes that had emotional weight
- Despite all the mental illness, the ML/FL/2FL/2ML dynamic was more refreshing and mature in its presentation than you'd fine in other dramas
- Gong Yoo.
- Stunning visual storytelling -- beautiful framing, colors, sets, lighting.
- The background and groundwork of the emotional arcs of the characters were interesting and well thought-out
- Explored the ideas of marriage and what it means to society in a thoughtful way
- Music was PERFECT

Weaknesses:
- Plot fell apart by the end, characters emotional journeys were rushed or sloppily handled and in the end unsatisfactory
- Some uneven acting at times (though not anything truly awful)
- Some use of silly cliche tropes that had no place in a mature drama like this
- The romance ended up feeling somewhat flat overall, and inconsistent, as sometimes I felt little chemistry and other times a lot
- The thriller plotline was not well integrated, and didn't really hold interest or have a strong place in the story

Watch if:
- You can easily get lost in visuals and ascetics (cinematography/directing/music/sets)
- Have a fat crush on Gong Yoo,
- Are interested in the topic of marriage and what it means to society today
- Enjoy romance with a slight thriller element
- Aren't as picky about the plots or character arcs being perfect, you're in it for some entertainment and to enjoy the ride
- Enjoy merely exploring emotions and what is underneath various mental illnesses or addictions or personality types

Skip if:
- A realistic emotional journey of a character is really important to you in a story
- You feel unsatisfied if the plot doesn't come together well in the end
- Don't like open endings
- You are looking for a squees and butterflies crack drama type of romance
- Not really into thriller or depressing themes like abuse -- OR really into thriller elements (as I don't think they were well executed here)
- You don't wanna see boobies on screen (there is one nude scene, though I feel it was used well as a way to highlight the mindset and emotional state of one of the main characters. Did not feel egregious).

DETAILED BREAKDOWN:

--Story: 5/10

This drama fell prey to a fatal flaw common to k drama romance/thrillers. Despite the writer framing the story as if they were tied together, the thriller/murder plotline was almost wholly unrelated to the relationship and characters emotional plot arcs. But the writer played out the drama as if they were inexorably intertwined. In fact, the writer could have taken the entire thriller plotline out, and not only would it not AT ALL have changed that main relationship or character plot-lines, it would have actually made the story BETTER.

What does this mean for the show? It means that when the plot-lines for the character arcs (for the FL it's fully grieving her fiance abandoning her, for the ML its coming to terms with his mother's suicide) naturally progress and resolve, instead of being able to move forward with their new emotional states and understanding the world, and move their relationship to some sort of new place because of it, the characters revert back and get stuck in the very same emotional states they should be past now. All because the thriller plot arc has not yet resolved, even though the tie to their emotional arcs is flimsy at best.

So we get silly tropes like noble idiocy and a FL who suddenly throws her entire emotional journey out the window to act exactly like she had at the very beginning of the show, before any growth had happened. And we get one of the main side characters going to prison instead of getting any sort of satisfactory emotional end to his character, all because SOMEONE needed to have killed the stalker. And that's where the show ends.

This all played out as a final third that fell so emotionally flat I stopped really caring about the characters. I was gonna write this review immediately after but genuinely forgot the show even existed for a week. It didn't leave an impact on me because of the way the writer mishandled the story. Which is truly a shame.



--Acting: 9/10

Gong Yoo's Jeong Won was so human, and I loved how he did not try and overplay him as an unrealistic suave ML character to make him appealing, but instead he tried to show the parts of JW that made him lovable, even if those parts were also what contributed to his weaknesses and flaws. Gong Yoo always brings such a great vulnerability and groundedness to his characters. He really was the heart of this show.

Seo Hyun Jin had some great moments, and is clearly talented, but I often found her portrayal too robotic in trying to show the withdrawn, coldness of No In Ji. I wanted to see more subtle moments of the fire and pain just underneath the surface, which we got sometimes but were blaringly absent at others. Without those I felt detached from her character, and really only felt her show her underlying humanity in scenes with Gong Yoo, I think because he brought out more warmth in her from his acting style. And really, their chemistry works mostly because Gong Yoo completely sold being madly in love w her. She often seemed indifferent to him, and again, without those little micro-expressions and tells that show she actually cares deeply but is hiding it. She also never seemed to really get a handle on her character, but I chalk that up in a big part to the inconsistent writing. By the end of the story she has not grown at all, which derailed the impact of the whole show. And I can't help. but think a different actress may have been able to bring it all together better despite the flawed writing.

Jung Yun Ha did a good job of keeping ex-wife Lee Seo Yeon from becoming a cliche psychopath crazy bitch character, she always kept the character grounded in deeply buried pain and sadness. I fully bought that she believed everything she was saying, and was deluding herself as much as everyone else. I felt enough sympathy for her to be able to enjoy her story arc, even if I still did not like her or approve of what she did. I also felt she was too ignored in the last few eps (because of the boring stalker plotline) and they wrapped her character up too quickly and sloppily. But the actress managed it well and her performance also stood out to me.

The other actors did fine in their roles, though no one stood out to me as going above and beyond. But no one was bad enough that it took me out of the drama. Overall the ensemble was well cast and performed well.

--Visual/Directing: 10/10

Truly gorgeous sets, framing, lighting, etc. I am glad I watched this show just for the beauty of the visual storytelling. I think it elevated the writing well above where it could have been in less deft hands. Truly a talented team working on this aspect of the show.

--Music: 10/10

Love the OST, really love the score and use of horror/industrial music. Flawless soundtrack overall.

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It's decent

The trunk is a mix of psychological, mystery, and melodrama. It deals with various complex themes such as mental health, loneliness, complex human relationship, and the meaning of love and marriage.

Pros
- Acting and cinematography are amazing
- Premise and initial character settings are interesting
- Chemistry is good
- I like the closure on FL & ML, they're both healing and they might find each other again if fate allows. It's a fitting resolution

Cons
- Mystery plot is not giving, it feels unnecessary and ruin the overall plot imo. The way it concluded was also unsatisfying
- Story feels underdeveloped
- Supporting casts feels underutilised and even the ex-wife got bland towards the end. I would prefer if she became the main "villain" until the end
- Pacing can be off at times

Honestly, it's a pretty decent show and I enjoyed watching it... but it does feel underwhelming. It doesn't leave much of an impression and I think I'll forget about it easily.

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not a bad attempt

Some attempts to blend psychological thriller and romantic melodrama. It's a show that delves into the darker side of human emotions, exploring themes of love, obsession, betrayal, and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy.

The story centers around Han Jeong-won, a man haunted by his past and his toxic relationship with his ex-wife, Lee Seo-yeon. In a desperate attempt to escape her clutches, he agrees to a one-year contract marriage with Noh In-ji. As their lives intertwine, a mysterious trunk becomes the catalyst for a web of secrets, lies, and dangerous obsessions.

It's less about a traditional mystery or a guaranteed happy ending, and more about how troubled individuals confront their past traumas and strive for healing. It is a good journey.

The show features a cast of complex characters:

- Han Jeong-won: A tortured soul, haunted by his past and desperately seeking redemption.
- Noh In-ji: A woman with a guarded heart, who slowly opens up to Jeong-won's warmth and kindness.
- Lee Seo-yeon: A manipulative and controlling woman, obsessed with Jeong-won and willing to do anything to keep him under her thumb.

It's not your typical love story. The relationship between Jeong-won and In-ji develops slowly, with a focus on their emotional connection and personal growth. However, the undercurrent of suspense and the looming threat of Seo-yeon's obsession keep the tension high.

I think that the visuals are very on point, with its dark and moody cinematography and haunting soundtrack. Good uses symbolism and imagery to create a sense of unease and mystery. However, the show's pacing can be too slow at times, with some episodes feeling drawn out and lacking in significant plot development.

Pros
- Strong Performances: Gong Yoo and Seo Hyun-jin deliver compelling and nuanced portrayals of their complex characters.
- Intriguing Plot: Enough twist to keep up some momentum
- Stunning Visuals: The show just looks good.
- Thought-Provoking Themes: Love, obsession, and the human condition, prompting viewers to reflect on their own emotions and relationships.
- Unique Soundtrack: Adds to the suspenseful and emotional tone of the show.

Cons
- Inconsistent Pacing: The deliberate pacing can drag at times, with some episodes feeling slow and lacking significant plot development.
- Anticlimactic Ending: The payoff just didn't feel like enough to me.
- Uneven Character Development: Some characters, such as the supporting cast, feel underutilized and underdeveloped, while others, like the main leads, receive disproportionate attention.

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been craving for a romance with a little bit of darkness and this gave me that

for the name and synopsis the show didn't have much to do with the trunk. the poster conveys the essence of the show more than the title.
the first half was very good, the narration changes from the two past situations to the present mystery kept me on the edge of the seat. from the second half onwards the mystery lost its appeal cause we knew what it was.
i liked the character, our cold fl and traumatized co-dependent ml and a insane and evil side characters. their romance might be a pure one, maybe not even love, just affection coming out of a deep place of trauma and loneliness but it was still a good watch.

the cinematography made the show and the way the house was used was great.

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Wow! It should win the 'WORST DRAMA IN "2024" award!!!

I think that only " The School Nurse Files" and "The Witch's Diner" were the ugliest drama that I saw togheter with this one.
The drama is super overdramatic, exaggerated reactions. OST composed of only two tracks played an infinite number of times over the course of 8 episodes. Characters without personalities. Rising scenes that have no logical thread and it is never explained when they happen (2, 5 years ago, present, future). Nothing is understood. At the end of the drama things become clearer, but the narrative is aberrant. Too bad for the cast. Excellent actors but also confused about their characters. Don't waste your time looking at it.

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SLOW-PACED SLOW-BURN, double slow

This drama was not made for binge-watching. It’s neither light nor fast-paced, and it requires patience. The story unfolds at a deliberate pace, with a slow-burn romance that takes its time to develop. Each episode runs for about an hour.

What worked for me:
— Choice of music: The drama does a great job of creating a mysterious vibe through the BGM. I also liked the opening theme.
— Character development: I appreciated the character development throughout the series, which added depth and made the relationships and conflicts more engaging.
— The ex-wife: I absolutely hated her. She was incredibly manipulative, selfish, and controlling, and it was infuriating to watch her. However, this strong frustration I felt toward her shows just how well her character was written and portrayed. Despite being highly unlikeable, her presence heightened the tension and made the dynamics between the leads more interesting.

Drawbacks:
— Pacing: The pacing was too slow at times, which made some parts of the story drag unnecessarily.
— Anticlimactic: For all the suspense and buildup, the reveal of the killer felt anticlimactic and didn’t deliver the punch I was expecting.
— Nudity: I have nothing against it, but I couldn’t help wondering if it was truly necessary and whether it added any depth to the characters.

Do I want to watch it again? No.

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