Gong Yoo shared his candid thoughts on the intimate scenes and polarizing reception of Netflix’s The Trunk during an interview on the morning of December 5th.
The Trunk is a mystery romance series that kicks off with the discovery of a floating trunk near a lakeshore, unveiling a secretive marriage service and the unusual relationship between its two leads. Gong Yoo stars as Han Jeong Won, a music producer haunted by anxiety and loneliness rooted in past trauma. Still longing for his ex-wife, Seo Yeon (Jung Yun Ha), he unexpectedly meets his second wife, No In Ji (Seo Hyun Jin), through a contract-based spouse service—arranged by Seo Yeon herself.
When asked why he decided to take on the project, Gong Yoo explained, “I’m an actor who’s curious about exploring different stories. I want to continue portraying diverse characters, and I tend to feel less drawn to similar narratives. In that sense, this was a fresh perspective on love, which piqued my curiosity. Jeong Won is a deeply wounded individual, and sometimes, when I delved into his character, I found myself reflecting on my own inner depths. I think that’s why I felt drawn to him—perhaps even a sense of compassion.”
However, The Trunk has received mixed reactions from viewers, with some criticizing its somber tone and complex characters. Addressing this, Gong Yoo said, “I made the decision to do this project quickly after reading the script. Even then, I was aware it would garner strong reactions on both ends of the spectrum.” He went on, “I wasn’t bothered by what some might see as negative aspects, which is why I agreed to it so quickly. At the end of the day, it’s a fictional story with extreme elements meant to convey a specific narrative.”
When asked to elaborate on what he resonated with in the “extreme elements,” he reflected, “After finishing the project, I found myself reflecting on myself—on love and relationships, looking back on my own past. I thought about what I should do.”
Gong Yoo emphasized that the show’s aim isn’t to dictate a specific definition of love but to spark thought. “There’s no right answer to love—it takes many forms. Rather than suggesting ‘This is what love is,’ I hope viewers ask themselves, ‘What does love mean to me?’ It gave me a chance to reflect on what makes a good relationship, and if viewers—especially those who enjoyed the series—can walk away thinking about that too, I’d be truly grateful.”
The actor also addressed the stark contrast between his intimate scenes with No In Ji (Seo Hyun Jin) and those involving Seo Yeon (Jung Yun Ha) and Yoon Ji Oh (Jo Yi Geon). While Seo Yeon’s scenes conveyed a raw, unrestrained intensity, his scenes with No In Ji were more subdued and emotional. Gong Yoo shared, “From my perspective, the approach made sense. Seo Yeon and In Ji are completely different characters, and Seo Yeon’s intensity needed to be fully conveyed. On the other hand, In Ji’s scenes required an emotional connection, which I think the director captured well. It was appropriate for the story and the characters.”
He wrapped up with a playful remark, joking, “Should I have shown even more?”—a comment that had everyone in the room laughing.
The Trunk is now streaming on Netflix.
>> Gong Yoo Opens Up About Shocking Reactions to ‘The Trunk’ in Korea
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