New Korean Drama Takes Netflix by Storm, Hits No. 1 in Just Two Days

Netflix's new original series Trunk, released on the 29th of last month, is receiving an overwhelmingly positive global response. Within two days of its release, on December 1, it ranked #1 in Netflix Korea's TOP 10 series list. According to FlixPatrol on December 2, the series also claimed the #1 spot in Korea and Singapore and climbed to an impressive #8 globally.

Based on the novel of the same name by author Kim Ryeo-ryeong, this series revolves around the mystery of a blood-stained trunk found by a lakeside and the backdrop of a unique marriage service. Rated for mature audiences, the series consists of 8 episodes, all of which were released on the 29th of last month.

At the center of the story are music producer Han Jeong-won (Gong Yoo), who cannot forget his ex-wife Lee Seo-yeon (Jeong Yun-ha), and No In-ji (Seo Hyun-jin), an employee at the temporary marriage company NM. The plot unfolds when Lee Seo-yeon secretly applies for a temporary spouse service, leading to No In-ji becoming Han Jeong-won's wife.

Lead actor Gong Yoo shared his thoughts at the production press conference, stating, "I was drawn to the original concept and the unique way it explores stories of love and relationships. I think this series will offer various interpretations depending on the viewer's perspective. Most importantly, it felt like an opportunity to reunite with 'Oh Hae-young' (referring to Seo Hyun-jin)," eliciting laughter from the audience. In response, Seo Hyun-jin joked, "I'm just as excited to be acting alongside a god and Goblin."

The actors also candidly addressed the intimate scenes featured in the series. Seo Hyun-jin commented, "I believed such scenes wouldn't be included unless they were essential to the character. It wasn’t a major issue for me." Gong Yoo added humorously, "There was a solo shower scene for my character. I hadn’t been keeping in shape, so I ended up eating only greens for two weeks in a rush to prepare." Seo Hyun-jin quipped, "And he even said he wanted to shoot it again," leaving the room in laughter.

Director Kim Gyu-tae explained the inclusion of a bold intimate scene early in the series, stating, "It was necessary to authentically portray the characters and their emotional arcs through their love story. We made sure to shoot it in a way that felt appropriate and not overly provocative."

The exceptional performances by the lead actors are highlighted as one of the series’ greatest strengths. Gong Yoo and Seo Hyun-jin deliver convincing portrayals of characters grappling with emotional voids, capturing subtle shifts in their feelings with precision. Jeong Yoon-ha brings a hysterical character to life with explosive acting, while supporting cast members like Jo Yi-geon and Kim Dong-won add tension to the narrative with their strong presence.

Trunk blends the universal theme of marriage with a mystery thriller, offering a fresh and engaging storyline while posing profound questions about love and marriage. Despite its intricate plot, the outstanding performances, meticulous script, and sophisticated direction combine to garner praise from global audiences.

Korean netizens shared enthusiastic reactions to the series, praising its immersive storyline and outstanding performances. Comments included remarks such as, "The immersion is insane. You’ll end up watching it all in one sitting. The acting is great, and I was completely engrossed," and "Watched it all as soon as it came out." Many viewers shared how the series kept them up all night, with one saying, "Stayed up all night to binge all 8 episodes... Seo Hyun-jin's performance was absolutely phenomenal," and another adding, "It was so good, I stayed up all Friday night watching it."

Others noted the book-like quality of the story, with one viewer commenting, "Started at 7 PM and pulled an all-nighter. I haven’t read the original novel, but it felt like reading a whole book." Another fan recommended giving it a try, saying, "It’s seriously entertaining. Trust me, just watch up to episode 3, and you’ll be hooked, lol." Many expressed their admiration for the cast, describing the pairing of Gong Yoo and Seo Hyun-jin as "unbeatable."

While acknowledging that the series might not appeal to everyone, one viewer remarked, "It might not be for everyone, but I personally enjoyed it." Several agreed that the show becomes addictive after the initial episodes, with comments like, "Once you get past episodes 1 and 2, you’ll end up finishing it all," and "The level of immersion is just crazy." Overall, the show has received widespread praise for its gripping narrative and compelling performances.