Drama was a 10 / 10 up to Episode 10

Unfortunately really detested the ending from Episode 11 onwards.

i was thoroughly enjoying it up to Episode 10. story had a great plot, twists were interesting, even a budding romance with supporting characters. Episode 11 started off okay but then went off track before finally collapsing into one big disappointing mess.

I overlooked the silly behaviour of the FL Hee Joo, as she was still in her 20s very emotional and controlled by an abusive mother. And hated the scene fillers with repetitive memories of previous events and day dreams etc.

But the ending did not make sense in anyway. to me it was illogical and absurd.

I’m begging screenwriters, if a story cannot fill the desired number of episodes please don’t pad it out with nonsense. For this reason I gave the drama an 8.

Park Jae Yoon should also have been given much more credit for the fantastic role he played as the villain.

Yoo Yeon Seok was brilliant and he gets better with age. So up to episode 11 he stayed in character but Episode 12 destroyed his character. I read in a review that he thought he was getting too old to play romantic leads. I disagree but the script will need to have a decent plot and the production a mature portrayal of romance right to the end.

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Romance stuck in 20th century

Romance of the adult leads was stuck in 20th century. Romance, dating and flirting in 2024 has moved on from stilted and childish characters portrayed in this drama. This is most annoying when the characters are 30+. The younger versions of the leads had more passion and chemistry. Overbearing parents / elders are becoming cliche. I liked ji won’s mum’s character so much more relatable. Even the costumes of the characters seemed dowdy and not really in keeping with Seoul fashion.
the secondary storyline didn’t become clear until last two episodes and felt flat and uninteresting.

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Enjoyable but not noteworthy

Another childhood friend turn romance years later. Understandable given they went separate ways for studying and work. Both went to western society for career. Bae Seok Ryu even lived with a partner whilst there. Apparently Choi Seung Hyo didn’t have any romantic relationships - as if!!! However when it came to romance between the two friends, it was portrayed as innocent. Therein lies my pet hate - why are writers in 2020s not realistic in telling the truth about romance of young people today?

The writers went so far as to say thoughts of sex was bad, crude and unhealthy. The kissing scene didn’t even seem mutual and was awkward. I don’t expect K drama will ever have a 50 Shades of Grey but come on romance needs to be more than cliches.

This show also had my second pet hate a violent mother (let’s hit our child all because we love her!!!). Stop the madness and use words and anger instead.

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A woman’s life inKorean society is tough

I enjoyed watching this movie as I thought it seemed to portray accurately a woman’s life in South Korea.

Despite having a degree and successful career prior to marriage, respect from family, friends and strangers was difficult to achieve once she became a mother. while not every mother would go through this extreme experience, the struggle to be recognised and respected, I imagine, would be common to most.

Even the love of a husband cannot substitute for respect whether that be self respect or from others.

Given the patriarchal culture with overbearing and demeaning behaviour from in-laws it is understandable why Korea’s birth rate and marriages is so low.

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Selfish adults using and abusing children and youths

I am tired of this ongoing theme where adults abuse and use children and young people for their selfish purposes.
This theme is persistently used across many genres and therefore it overuse undermines the story and concept of each drama, which is a shame as I think this drama is truly meant to focus on this theme. Therefore the gravitas of the bad behaviour by adults may seem normal and acceptable, which it is not.

I think the story of young trainees being abused is more than true and maybe worse given the number of suicides by young entertainers.

Ryeon acting was brilliant and I cried and smiled along with him. Also Lee Jin Woo and Yoon Sang Hyun acting also were both very good in their roles showing a range of human emotion.

The music was very good and cinematography also great.

I won’t watch this show again I’m finding it tough to watch it to the end.

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Drama is a blend of genres

The Trunk is absolutely fantastic!!

This drama blends genres such as - mystery, psychological thriller and romance into a beautiful story that tugs at one’s emotions. The cinematography was mesmerising and creative,

This is an adult drama without the high level of blood, gore or horror usually associated with Korean drama and the violence portrayed was shown more subtlety. Sex scenes were not OTT as in western culture but tasteful and in keeping with the theme and culture of Korea.

This type of drama is so rarely done in Korea. The acting was superb with the right balance of chemistry and reservation between lead actors Gong Yoo and Seo Hyung Jin for each scene they were in together. Their
romance appeared natural, with natural affection and moving. while Jung Un Ha and Jo Yi Gun sizzled.

Jung Un Ha and Kim Dong Won gave me goosebumps and at times I wasn’t sure who were bad and who wasn’t.

I kept hoping the real bad people would all be bought to justice.

My only gripes were:
1. the lack of credible detail in the back story for Yoon Ji O and Eom Tae Song to explain why they behaved as they did. and

2. The Trunk got a bit confusing what with vivid dreams and a mix of timelines that were not always clearly delineated.

I recommend that it needs to be watched carefully and over 1-3 days at most.

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