The Trunk (2024)

It was just Ehhhhhh

So the story of this drama is quite different from the cliche rom-coms, yet it just wasn't fulfilling. The contractual marriage plot did not make any sense and the obsessive ex-wife of the male lead was just a bad character with good acting. The plot just did not make a lot of sense, with many loopholes. It was just a high-budget drama with a not-so-likable plot. Casting I would say is the only thing that stood out in this drama as all the actors did justice to their roles. Other than that it was just ehhhh.

To anyone wondering whether to start it or not, I would say this drama is something that you can pass on. There are much better shows you can watch in the meantime.

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O drama começou com uma proposta bastante promissora

, misturando suspense, mistério e romance com uma abordagem mais madura. A premissa sobre uma agência de casamentos arranjados e os segredos obscuros por trás dela parecia intrigante, mas o drama não conseguiu sustentar essa ideia ao longo dos episódios.

Embora o início tenha um ritmo interessante, a narrativa logo se perde. O enredo é repleto de furos, e os plots que poderiam trazer grandes reviravoltas acabam sendo mal explorados. O evento principal da trama, que deveria ser o ponto alto, não tem uma resolução satisfatória, o que deixa uma sensação de algo inacabado. O final em aberto só aumenta a frustração, parecendo mais uma falta de planejamento do que uma escolha criativa.

Os personagens começam bem, com camadas e conflitos que chamam atenção, mas o desenvolvimento deles é decepcionante. In Ji e Jeong Won, os protagonistas, têm uma química palpável no início, mas quando finalmente ficam juntos, até isso perde força. Seo Yeon, a ex-esposa, tinha tudo para ser uma antagonista fascinante, mas suas motivações são confusas, e suas ações não fazem sentido, prejudicando o impacto que ela poderia ter tido na história.

As cenas “+18”, que poderiam adicionar intensidade à trama, acabaram parecendo desnecessárias. Em vez de enriquecer a narrativa, essas cenas desviaram o foco e não contribuíram para o desenvolvimento dos personagens ou da história.

Apesar disso, há pontos positivos, como as atuações sólidas dos protagonistas e a direção visual, que soube criar uma atmosfera misteriosa e envolvente no início. Infelizmente, isso não foi o suficiente para compensar os problemas do roteiro.

Conclusão - esse tinha tudo para ser um grande drama, mas se perdeu no caminho. A falta de resolução para os mistérios, o final em aberto e o desperdício do potencial dos personagens resultaram em uma experiência decepcionante. Assisti sem muita expectativa, mas pelo elenco, estava esperando mais, e terminei com a sensação de que poderia ter sido muito melhor. É um drama que começou forte, mas acabou frustrando, especialmente para quem gosta de histórias bem amarradas e com desfechos satisfatórios.

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the trunk só que o trunk nem é tão importante assim

primeira coisa que nos brilha aos olhos é o design super frio e minimalista. toda a narrativa e a interação entre os personagens complementam a esse tom. o ponto alto do drama é certamente o cast com suas performances excepcionais, mas que por muitas vezes são limitadas pelas direções repetitivas que é levado. até certo momento, the trunk tenta desesperadamente fugir das fórmulas de um k-drama clássico, mas se perde nas conclusões e empurra emoções exageradas até cansar os espectadores, não consegue resolver seus dilemas e os sustentar até o final. o suspense morre no meio do caminho e o romance não chega nem a nascer de fato. apesar disso, ver gong yoo e seo hyunjin contracenarem, mesmo que numa obra morna, foi um dos pontos altos da temporada de k-dramas de 2024.

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Poderia ter sido melhor

Primeiramente pra dizer que só assisti o drama por causa do gong yoo e terminei só por causa dele também
Não sei se não tava no clima de ver esse drama em específico ou se foi porque não gostei dele mesmo, achei parado, parecido com enredo de série americana, já houve dramas que trataram de vingança e suspense muito bem mas esse não rolou.
Inclusive não tivemos respostas do tipo: como a amiga dela morreu? Por qual motivo? Foi por causa do stalker? E como o bonitão lá se apaixonou pela ex esposa do jeong won? Pq sinceramente eu não vi nada nela, nem mostrava o relacionamento deles (além do íntimo e que ele era pau mandado dela)
Apesar da história boa e que poderia prender, achei confuso, pontas soltas, incluindo o relacionamento do amigo dele, era pra mostrar o motivo de pedir o divórcio entre tantos? Não entendi, pra que mostrar se não aprofunda?
Gostei da química do casal, é uma dinâmica interessante, você vê ela bem mecânica sem nem dar um sorriso mas as ações falavam mais alto e estava sempre mostrando que se importava com ele. Enfim, não tenho muito pra falar não

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A very different tale than usual melancholic dark dramas. Acting was so perfect, well you don't expect anything less from these actors.
Cinematography and directing was an art. The mystery around murder itself was handled very gracefully. Usually when there is non-linear story telling, it tends to overdo itself and we keep jumping the time to lose focus on the main aspect of the story. This wasn't the case here and you don't lose the anticipation and grip of main story flow. Characters being consistent, plot being equally paced, it gives sense of a well made and thought drama.
The story of healing of the characters from their past is done well but you only end up sympathising with them as the backdrop of these dark past is so bizarre you hardly co-relate. Nevertheless, it felt natural in this plot dimension itself.
A worthwhile watch, a fresh concept and equally fresh execution.

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Beautiful Portrayal

Ever since I heard of a Gong Yoo-Seo Hyun Jin pair up, I have been looking forward to The Trunk. I was cautious since most dramas I have watched this year have been mediocre, to say the least. But the K-drama gods came through this time around and I was not in the slightest disappointed. After watching, the first episode, I considered not going to work to watch the whole show in one sitting which I didn't do, but wished I had done so I could have finished this faster.

Gong Yoo and Seo Hyun Jin's portrayals of two very broken people was heartbreakingly and miserably beautiful. I loved the acting, their chemistry, the main support character's roles and the OST. While watching , I did not cry, but I felt like I was holding my breath, anxiously awaiting where the journey would take, not only the main leads, but also me. However, in the last 30 minutes or so, I began to crack me and in the last 5 or so minutes, my tears would not stop.

My main complaint would be that the flashbacks were a bit confusing in the beginning. Although once you got used to these, it was easier to discern at what point they were by noting which characters and locations appeared on the screen, I also wonder if this almost seamless, confusing element was done in this way on purpose to drive the point home. As the past merges with the present to show how the events that took place in the past have an impact on the present and even the future if this issues are not addressed properly. My second complaint is that Yoon Ah and Hyeon Cheol's parts felt unnecessary.

Still, I thoroughly enjoyed this and hope GY and SHJ meet again in another beautiful drama. 9.5/10

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Ok but isn't that a bit of a drastic decision to make over a cancelled wedding?!

I would love to have a conversation with the scriptwriter of this show. I would love to know how they read THAT book and came to the conclusion to write...this show! lol
It's like if someone read Jane Eyre and ended up adapting it as a musical about learning the alphabet.☉_☉ That said, this is not a bad show or anything, it's just that the similarities to the source material are very slim, including the genre and I also wonder if this was meant to be this dark and elegant and highbrow from the start or if the show just changed themes as the high profile names started to get attached to it...you see, this show has every single cliche element of an average rom-com kdrama!
If I told you a show has:
1. Fake, contract marirage
2. Childhood connection
3. A crazy evil second female lead
4. A stalker with evil superpowers following the Fl around
5. A gloomy male lead with a tragic and sad backstory
6. A romance with a murder mystery subplot
7. Meddling auntie neighbour
8. Quirky tomboy best friend and baby-crazy, secret investigator friend
9. A small event in the FL's past leads her to some drastic career choices
What show would come to your mind?! 'Cause I think so many average Kdramas can come to mind...and the answer here is actually The Trunk. But then this show couldn't be further from your typical kdrama! It's so atmospheric, dark, and the production quality is off the chart!
...but I would say the plot is not as great as the rest of the show. For one, it's slightly melodramatic. If you squint, there are so many plotholes and a lot of choices and actions make no sense. And while I think the creators worked hard to preserve the essence of the novel's message, I think they lost a bit of its nuance in favor of adding flashy plotpoints like abusive parents and homophobia and actual love stories. That said, I like some of these additions and overall, the whole thing works and these details aren't really the main attraction of this show anyway. Because the main point is...
The Chemistry. Holy meow! First of, I think dramaland citizens generally over exaggerate the chemistry connection of actors on popular kdramas. Two actors will do the bare minimum but because the trope is a popular one, people will see natural chemistry where there is none! So many times, I see people just say two actors have chemistry because they're both the two most attractive people on screen in a show. That's not chemistry...that's buying into the show promotion bs, dearies! Actual chemistry means the actors seem to have this magnetic field between them, that even when there are so many others in a scene with them, it's like the two of them are swaying to the same wavelength. Their eye contact seems to hold secret conversations btween just the two and the actors just naturally play off of each other's acting choices. And that's the thing! You have to first be a good actor, to then make actual choices about your acting and then have an equally good actor play against you with their equally dynamic and responsive acting choices! It's...it's a big deal! Not everyone can do it! but my god...Gong Yoo and Seo Hyung Jin sure can! The best thing about this show was how the two of them managed to make the bare minimum plot work! You know a show is good when it gives you the illusion that you have just witnessed two soul mates reunite when the characters just barely had two positive interactions! That's sorcery! That's skill! That's admirable. And this show manages to do that so it's worth a watch for only just that if literally for nothing else.
Which, of course, it's not the only attraction of this show. Jung Yun Ha's acting is another part of this show that adds to its worth. I hope she wins some awards for this. She deserves the recognition. She was so good, she brought Seo Yeon to life and what an interesting character because she was so unhinged and disturbing in some ways but she was equally valid in other ways and I was so conflicted if I hated her for some of her actions or wanted to defend her for some of the other actions. To manage to capture both empathy and disgust, she sure showed some great skills. Granted, the character is very well-written too. Overall, the whole cast is really good but the four main ones stand out. This was my very first Gong Yoo show and guys...I get it. I GET IT! Who is this man?! How is he this charming?! How can someone so unconventionally attractive capture the viewers so quickly? He's too good! A bit dangerous! I wanna see more! lol
In addition to an amazing cast, the production, set design, lighting and special effects in this show were so good. This looks like a drama one would like to watch because it's a feast for the eyes...though in a drab way! There's no explosion of colors or textures. The whole thing is in earth tones and everything and everyone is so subdued but that's sort of the point here. So it's like...having a fancy dinner made of one ingredient! Well, maybe three ingredients.
Also this show is going to get the rare honor of having THE BEST soundtrack of any kdrama ever. It was so good, that 10/10 stars is actually for the music. I loved the music so much I sat through the credits just to listen to it more. Well-played, for a show with a music producer as a main character.
Rewatch: Yeah, no...
Negative: Why do Kdramas have weird pauses when they wanna make high quality dramas?! It doesn't make any sense why people pause so much in their conversations. Also...so many plotholes, so many unnecessary baits that lead nowhere, so many character moments that were abandoned halfway through...lol the script could have been better. hehe
Overall: This is a rare case of me enjying a show with a subpar plot as I usually care the most about plot but this show was too good in other aspects that the weaknesses of the plot are almost forgivable. This would have been a perfect 10 if the plot was a bit better. Highly recommend it though.

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Mature, Understated, but Beautiful

If you're looking for a romantic drama or a mystery/thriller drama, then look somewhere else. This felt more like a meditative exploration of what relationships can look like. I personally loved it. I loved that it was a wholly mature, no emotional melodrama BS that kdramas are known to dish out on popular demand. I wish they delved more into the backstory of NM agency instead of being this shrouded in mystery organisation. That would've added more depth to the story. Other than that, I loved the acting, the cinematography, the story, and most importantly, the framing of the story. Its not always that we see mature, muted, understated kdramas, and I truly think we need more of these.

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Masterpiece Drama in 2024

I really loved the story! It might not be super realistic, but the way each character has their own flaws makes it feel so relatable and human. Even though I’ve watched it once, every time I rewatch it, I always catch new details that make me want to keep coming back.

That said, I feel like Soyeon’s character is a bit of a weak spot. I just couldn’t find a good enough reason to excuse her behavior as an ex-wife or as a person. But then again, if they’d gone too deep into Soyeon’s perspective, it might’ve overshadowed the main storyline, which would’ve distracted viewers from the leads. So yeah, the gap in Soyeon’s backstory is kinda a double-edged sword.

All in all, I think this drama is super artistic with amazing acting. Sure, there are a lot of details that get left behind, but considering it’s only eight episodes, it makes sense.

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The soul in the trunk

I apologize for my English

It is not easy to “define” the genre of this series. And it is not easy to put into words the emotionality it left behind.
Because “The Trunk” is figurative, it represents the soul and the journey, arrival and departure. It represents short-term and long-term memory. It represents the expertise developed in the perilous ways of life. “The Trunk” is everyone's black hole into which we throw, voluntarily and involuntarily, what we call “junk” for our psyche. At the same time, it is the place where we store the “scents” and “sensations” that define being “alive.”
Few times do trailers deflect expectations so profoundly, and even fewer times is the product so memorable to the point of countering those unmet expectations.
However, viewing the series requires a fair amount of mental stability so that one does not passively endure the tidal wave of emotionalism, which is brutal, raw, cynical, and intimate for long stretches.
Once again, Korean scriptwriters, actors, and actresses are extremely skillful in portraying the dark side of the human soul. Depictions that are never grotesque but almost always “disturbing” because they are extremely real or realizable. The negative in the series is not utopian but sadly anchored in reality.
From the first moments, the rhythms are deep, psychically tribal, flanked by music and settings that support the “dark” and “noir” framework of the plot. High praise to the music, it enters directly into assonance with 21 grams and leads the mind to live the optical experience firsthand. Special mention to the architecture of the protagonist's house, initially I interpreted it as the bony cavities of birds. Large spaces of emptiness encompassed in “slender” but strong structures. This impression changed as the plot progressed. After the first few episodes, with the knowledge of the protagonist's “illusions,” the house's architecture became a representation of the encephalon, with its bright places and cramped spaces in which memories lurk. To then become, until the end of the series, the soul, the “the trunk” of the protagonists, but also the curse that each one hides inside. And it is on this last development that the architecture and interiors reach the pinnacle of visual representation. From the “hallucinogenic” chandelier to the spiral ramp/slide in the “Archimedes screw” imagery of the involution and evolution of the soul. Even the materiality of the walls, rough, and porous, marry the essence of beauty to perfection. The unpolished, the need to come to appreciate the essence only through consciously experiencing suffering.
And this catharsis, emblematic but not sensational, again, not utopian but realistic, envelops the protagonists, whom I identify in four characters. The main couple consists of Seo Hyun Jin (the wife, No In Ji) and Gong Yoo (the husband, Han Jeong Won). The second couple was composed of Jung Yun Ha (the first wife, Lee Seo Yeon, of Gong Yoo) and Jo Yi-geon (the husband, Yoon Ji-o, of Gong Yoo's first wife).
A masterful performance by Seo Hyun Jin, a soul troubled by the most intimate betrayal and the perpetuation of the most visceral social bullying. Wife by “contract,” detached, seemingly emptied of feelings and emotions. Polished beauty that unfolds becoming pure roughness, pure emotion, warm.
Gong Yoo confirms the acting prowess already appreciated on the big and small screen over the years. Here we find him in a mature, complete, confident acting guise. He enacts the “lost” and “hallucinated” soul of a son “psychologically raped” by his father, family, life, and everyone but especially himself. Fascinating his “chase” to rebirth, nothing superhuman, everything rough, harsh, bitter, true, and alive.
Special mention to Jung Yun Ha, the charming first wife of Han Jeong Won, intelligent, cunning, bewitching, a mantis in the body of a "Medusa". This chimerical image formed in my mind as the episodes passed. And as a "Medusa", she is the cause of her demise, her pain. It does not retreat in its treachery, its viciousness, its brutality of control and domination over everything and everyone.
Jo Yi-geon, victim and perpetrator, accomplice and protagonist, fits perfectly into this trio of characters. In the space, marginal to the trio, she best expresses her acting characteristics in staging the brutality of being used while experiencing the darkest love.
Interspersed with them is the avowed “villain,” Kim Dong Won (No In Ji's stalker Um Tae Seong), who cynical viciousness does not let on but portrays it without physical reins and with extreme reasoning. Ratiocination disarms the viewer because its brutality is not embellished but is naked, unadorned, and internal to those who perform adorable pastry gems.
“The Trunk” represents a psycho-social journey of destruction and rebirth, with this phoenix-like soul leading us in questioning ourselves about being protagonists of our own lives, with mercy and compassion for ourselves.
Finally, as sleet, hope and “forgiveness” appear.

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