The Trunk

The show had perfect pacing!! It did such a great job discussing trauma and toxic relationships. This is what I wanted to see for Mr.Plankton. I see that many new directors of this genre are doing abnormal camera shots and music which is great because it's good to see something new. Though I disagreed with some of the characters, especially the original wife, I sympathized with everyone. I loved how the writers addressed being apart of the LGTBQ in a non cliché way(I even think the female lead friend liked her). It made the movie feel real. I thought the first wife would kill herself, but I'm was glad she stuck through. This was really a solid 8.5. This genre is hard to execute well, but the director in my opinion did a good take on it. I loved that the leads were not the typical lovey-dovey couple — that would be unrealistic. Everything about this drama was raw and real, not forced at all in my opinion.

Reading other reviews, I understand why people would think it was dull or drawn-out, but I think it's because they went in with high hopes. I went in knowing nothing, and I guess I was in the perfect mood for this drama.

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Lofi vibe of slow pace actually refreshing

Overall I loved this show, different from what we are used to in other kdramas. Yes the pace is slow but I kinda found it relaxing
Not all storytelling needs to have the same pace or be full of stimuli, or have lots of stuff going on.

Intriguing plot and character arcs, stunning acting, smart use of symbology (trunk, chandelier, house, slippers).

The only thing I found out of place was the explicit nudity (for me it was unnecessary) and the ending, which could have been more impactful. That bit I agree with the mainstream opinion that it was boring.

A one time watch, but worth it!

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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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Started strong and fell off midway

Acting was excellent. I saw that this was based on a novel which leads me to believe they shoved too much of the plot into 8 long episodes instead of the usual 16. This leads the show to have a strange pace that increased the further into the show I went. By the end, I started skipping forward in a rush to combat losing interest but wanting to know how it ends. The story is interesting but was not delivered in a way that compelled the viewer to care about certain things - like the murder that takes place. By the end of the show, I felt puzzled and wondered how the main divorced couple even ended up together as they seem like such an unlikely couple. There is definitely a hint of mystery and desire to root for the new wife and husband yet i'm not sure if it's because I liked their characters or because I want to save them from the shitty characters (ex wife, stalker, ex husband of FL) in the show.

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It could have been only 6 episodes

The trunk had a good premise when I first heard about it, but going through these 8 episodes was definitely tiring. Like going around circles every time. The acting did kind of the impossible job to keep this show moving forward, even if it seems like there's no direction at all.

One of the scenes that were kind of cringey for me was the fight in the elevator between the 2 wives. Unnecessary and it's mostly there to show how one of them is worth of his love and the other isn't. I'm not even sure how he got to a relationship with his first wife, since she's this terrible monster. Didn't we miss something? How things happened the way it did? She's apparently just there to be a villain.

Some people mentioned the OST being so good as if that could save this show but honestly it was boring. Maybe 1 or 2 songs are likeable but that's it.

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The series wasn’t bad, but I can’t say it was a good work. As a viewer, it had no meaning or concept for me. The story lacked engagement, and I only agreed to finish it because it had few episodes. The actors and the skills they needed to portray their roles, as well as the connection that should be established with the characters, were handled well. The OST and the music were beautiful and pleasant to listen to, and they were often played at appropriate moments. The relationships in this series were extremely hollow, aimless, and harmful. The characters were selfish and irrational. Humans are not flawless, and I did not expect that from these characters, but at the very least I expected some degree of character development. The characters showed no personal growth; in the end, they simply surrendered to their habits and destructive behaviors and accepted them.

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The Trunk is lost.

Bittersweet, chaotic, and at times confusing—that’s how the marriage dynamics and overall plot of The Trunk come across.

My initial reaction to The Trunk is mixed, leaning both positive and negative. On the brighter side, I appreciated the messy, emotionally charged relationships between the characters. The angst I was hoping for was definitely there. Marriage, as portrayed in the series, is meant to be sacred—a mutual commitment between a man and a woman. However, the story complicates this by intertwining it with greed, and as a result, the characters’ lives become just as tangled.

I truly loved the cast—Seo Hyun-jin, Gong Yoo, Jung Yun-ha, Jo Yi-geon, and Kim Dong-won. The five of them delivered powerful performances, bringing out the emotional weight of one-sided love, obsession, and romance. They gave me the depth and intensity I was looking for. However, even with such a strong cast, the drama itself fell short in some areas. The biggest issue for me was the plot’s overwhelming messiness.

While I understand that the story aimed to explore complex and layered relationships, there were simply too many subplots. Because of this, the drama struggled to clearly define its main focus. Was it about marriage? Obsession? Crime? Even the crime aspect felt disconnected from the characters, making it seem unnecessary. For me, these elements didn’t fully come together, and I found it difficult to grasp how the “trunk” itself tied into all the complications. Everything felt oddly contained despite the chaos.

The drama only truly gained momentum in its final two episodes. That’s when I finally felt the emotional intensity I had been waiting for—through strong dialogue and satisfying confrontations. Unfortunately, those moments came too late, as I wish that same level of engagement had been sustained throughout the entire series.

Still, it was a worthwhile watch. While the plot may have disappointed me at times, I stayed for the actors—and they delivered what the story could not.

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Came for Gong Yoo and Seo Hyun Jin, then left with Jo Yi Geon

The gist of the story would have you go 'Okay, that sounds interesting...' and that is what happened to me. Then I got more enthusiastic after seeing Gong Yoo (Silenced) and Seo Hyun Jin (Why Her?) in the cast. The first episode's opening moments got me hooked and at its end, I was feeling for Jeong Won (Gong Yoo) the most.

IMO the writer and its director struggled with the backstories. The presentation just did not flow seamlessly which made my experience with the series quite unsettling and unfulfilling. Like how episode 2 opened with a totally new character and you're thrown in the past grasping at straws to make sense of it all.

Then there is Yun Ji Oh (Jo Yi Geon/ Cho I Geon) who was forgotten in limbo land for most of the episodes. He was, for most of the time, the a$$holic man candy who was quickly shoved into a hero position to save every one.

Then there's the abusive father. His hospital bed scenes were so unnecessary. It would have been more effective had he been in his virile and vile self, in Jeong Won's and Seo Yeon's (Jung Yun Ha) flashbacks.

The acting I enjoyed. No surprise there. It's what carried me through to the last episode. I just will specially mention that as much as No In-Ji raged to protect Jeong Won, it was her soft moments that I find special. I melted every time No In-ji smiled. But I still enjoyed her several displays of physicality.

The music is enjoyable too. Now where is that rock music available?

Unfortunately, there is little chance I will rewatch The Trunk. But I will look out for a spin off. I am curious about Yun Jin Oh. His transition from keeper to husband-for-hire for one. Also, he was tagged by the writer as cruel. To me he was the most straightforward character amongst the lot. He knew what/who he liked and he expressed it. He also was loyal to the very end. There's very few people in the world like that and I am intrigued how he came to be and why he is so devoted to the crazy selfish bish.

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Old School Cool with a Few Bumps in the Road

The Good: Finally, Grown-Ups!

Honestly, it feels like forever since we've had K-dramas featuring actors who can actually, you know, act! For a while there, it was all perfectly sculpted noses and pretty faces, but not much in the way of actual talent or personality. (I could name names, but my therapist says I should work on my anger issues.) "Trunk" was a breath of fresh air, a shining example of "old is gold." The seasoned actors here brought such maturity and screen presence, it was like a masterclass.

The whole vibe of this drama was just chef's kiss. The color tones, the mood, the melancholic sounds and sights, the camera angles, and the OST — all perfectly executed. Even though it was marketed as a mystery, it never gave off that creepy, eerie feeling. The director clearly has an eye for design, going for that edgy mid-century style in Han Jeong-won's houses and the entire production set. And don't even get me started on the cars – they practically screamed "wealthy ML," and they were on point.

The Bad: Where'd the Episodes Go?

K-dramas are known for being quick and easy binges, but I honestly think "Trunk" could've used a few more episodes, say 10 or even 12. The story had so much potential to be developed and expanded. But then again, if you look at Gong Yoo's drama history, he does seem to pick projects with shorter episode counts. And like practically everyone else, I wasn't thrilled with the ending. But let's be real, with only 8 episodes, what were we even expecting?

One thing that felt a bit underdeveloped was the ML's career as a producer. Unless you were paying super close attention, you might have missed what he actually does. Him just showing up at the studio and lounging on the sofa while his assistants do all the work didn't really sell his "boss" status. His actual "boss," O Hyeon-cheol, seemed to represent him more on the career front. I would've loved to see at least a scene or two where he was actually immersed in his production role.

The Ugly: Mystery? What Mystery?

Okay, full disclosure: I'm not usually a fan of the mystery genre. So the fact that I actually enjoyed this drama means one thing: there was no real mystery. The whole time, you feel like the director is building up to some big, twisted reveal, but then... crickets. If you're a hardcore mystery fan who loves shocking twists, turns, and maybe a dash of psychotic elements, you'll probably snooze through this one.

Overall: A Mature Romance with Good Looks

My personal take? I went into "Trunk" looking for a mature romance and some solid acting, and that's exactly what I got. Plus, they threw in some great visuals and top-notch production. So yeah, I'm pretty satisfied.
What are your thoughts? Did "Trunk" hit the mark for you, or were you left wanting more?

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Heavy Stuff

It should be said from the very beginning that this film presents a very different point of view on marriage, from the common perception. This is for those who took very, very hard blows from life, and it won't speak too much to those who were speared. One needs to go through some hellish experiences to fully understand this series' philosophy on marriage, and relate to its characters and events.
Personally, I very much enjoy fairy tales-like love stories, but once in a while I come across these heavy stories which remind me of my own stuff. They give me the opportunity to contemplate my own path so far, and a sense of self-satisfaction knowing I somehow managed to get through hardships, move on and retain my sanity, at least to some degree. 😁 It's a hard film to watch, even if you "have been there", as the saying goes.
Except for the music, I liked everything about this film. Although it was as unbearable as the experiences presented, it was for a purpose: it had to add to the arduousness of the events.
The story was good, and believe it or not, real. Such twisted people do exist, and they put others through hell. I can even state that this being a film, it quite embellished facts and the whole atmosphere.
The acting was perfect, each artist stirring up emotions according to the nature of their respective characters. Although the series is filled with sadness, grief, desperation, anger, frustration, injustice, helplessness, still the characters are very much embellished and idealized. If we take No In Ji for example, which represents the type of strong person who rescues themselves and heals others in the process, it's evident that she possess so many more qualities than a real person in real life. I mean, who can possibly be so level-headed and so self-controlled when they have to deal with life-threatening situations and so much heartbreak? And more than this, she even gives her all to heal and rescue a wreck (Han Jeong Won). And is this even possible? I mean, how immature must one be to not know that we cannot actually heal and save anyone, unless they want to do it themselves? Luckily, Han Jeong Won provided that ideal situation when somebody was actually willing to save themselves and accept help in the process. Now, this being given, it isn't impossible (for No In Ji to save him), but there's bound to be some mistakes in the process, some setbacks. Yet, we only see the steps forward, the advancement on the path to salvation. This is why I say that everything was embellished. Real people are more fragile, less ideal than No In Ji. Her behaviour was very classy, always speaking only what was important, refusing to wallow in gossip or pointless conversations, answering only to the questions which carried sense or served a constructive purpose. This is another ideal behaviour. Let's be serious, who wouldn't slip out a few curses now and then, a few blamings here and there? 😁
I close my review with the hope that everybody has at least a peaceful life, if not happy. And if people cannot relate to this film, it's a good sign, it means my wish came true. ☮️

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