The Trunk (Korean: 트렁크) is a 2024 South Korean mystery melodrama series on Netflix starring Seo Hyun-jin and Gong Yoo. Based on the novel by Kim Ryeo-ryeong and directed by Kim Kyu-tae, the drama follows two people brought together by a one-year marriage contract and a mysterious trunk that unravels hidden secrets. Blending romance, mystery, and emotional tension, The Trunk offers a gripping story about love, trust, and fate. It was released worldwide on November 29, 2024.
K-Drama Profile
- Drama Title (English): The Trunk
- Drama Title (Korean): 트렁크
- Revised Romanization: Teureongkeu
- Production: Project 318, GTist
- Genres: Mystery, melodrama
- Original Work: The Trunk by Kim Ryeo-ryeong
- Writer: Park Eun-young
- Director: Kim Kyu-tae
- Starring: Seo Hyun-jin, Gong Yoo
- Country: South Korea
- Language: Korean
- Episodes: 8
- Network: Netflix
- Release: November 29, 2024
Plot Synopsis
Noh In-ji works at NM (New Marriage) and feels very lonely, even though she has a one-year contract marriage. Han Jeong-won joins the same contract marriage to try to fix his past relationship. Everything changes when they discover a mysterious trunk in a lake, leading to a series of surprising events with the matchmaking service. This story mixes romance, mystery, and drama, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
Main Casts
Gong Yoo (as Han Jeong-won)
- Stage Name (English): Gong Yoo
- Stage Name (Korean): 공유
- Revised Romanization (Stage Name): Gongyu
- Birth Name (English): Gong Ji-cheol
- Birth Name (Korean): 공지철
- Revised Romanization (Birth Name): Gong Jicheol
- Birthdate: July 10, 1979
- Age: 46
- Birthplace: Busan, South Korea
- Nationality: South Korean
- Occupation: Actor
- Debut: 2001
- Agency: Management SOOP
- Website: Official website
Gong Yoo is a popular South Korean actor known for his work in both TV and film. He became famous for starring in hit dramas like Coffee Prince (2007), Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016–2017), and the global Netflix hit Squid Game (2021–2025). Gong Yoo has also appeared in well-known movies such as Silenced (2011), The Suspect (2013), Train to Busan (2016), and The Age of Shadows (2016). He is loved for his charm and strong, emotional performances.
Seo Hyun-jin (as Noh In-ji)
- Birth Name (English): Seo Hyun-jin
- Birth Name (Korean): 서현진
- Revised Romanization: Seo Hyeonjin
- Birthdate: February 27, 1985
- Age: 40
- Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
- Nationality: South Korean
- Occupations: Actress, singer
- Debut: 2001
- Agency: Management SOOP
- Height: 167 cm (5 ft 6 in)
- Website: Official website
Seo Hyun-jin is a South Korean actress and singer born on February 27, 1985. She started her career as the main vocalist of the girl group M.I.L.K. in 2001 and later began acting in 2006 with the musical The Sound of Music. Seo became widely known for her role as Oh Hae-young in the hit romantic comedy Another Miss Oh (2016). Since then, she has starred in many popular dramas, including Dr. Romantic, Temperature of Love, The Beauty Inside, You Are My Spring, and Why Her. She is loved for her natural acting and emotional performances.
Episodes (1~8)
Episode 1
Noh In-ji works as a contract spouse and is given a new client. At the same time, Han Jeong-won is having a hard time after his divorce from his ex-wife, Lee Seo-yeon. He just wants to get her back, but ends up in a second marriage he never wanted.
Episode 2
After her fiancé disappears just before their wedding, In-ji is left heartbroken. Later, she meets someone who feels like fate and starts working for a mysterious company. Five years later, she begins to uncover shocking truths about her new husband and his ex-wife.
Episode 3
Jeong-won slowly starts to open up to his new wife, In-ji. Seeing this change, his ex-wife Seo-yeon tries to break him emotionally. Meanwhile, a person from In-ji’s past suddenly reappears, uncovering new secrets and adding more tension to their lives.
Episode 4
As Jeong-won spends more time with In-ji, he starts to feel calm and at peace. But as his feelings for her deepen, he becomes torn and confused. Meanwhile, Seo-yeon finds it hard to handle a situation that’s now beyond her control.
Episode 5
When Jeong-won learns about Um Tae-sung, he tries to help In-ji, but she firmly refuses. At the same time, Seo-yeon receives a frightening warning from someone. Things get tense when Jeong-won’s current wife and ex-wife clash at a funeral.
Episode 6
Seo-yeon insists that In-ji and Jeong-won end their complicated relationship. In-ji secretly meets Seo-yeon and stands up to her. At the same time, a mysterious person is seen sneaking around Seo Do-ha’s villa, adding more suspense to the story.
Episode 7
Seeing bloodstains in the hallway, In-ji nervously opens the villa door. She doesn’t know what awaits her inside, but it could finally bring an end to a long and painful wait.
Episode 8
Jeong-won learns of Seo-yeon’s betrayal, bringing their long and painful past to a final turning point. Determined to end everything, In-ji goes alone into the darkness to face Tae-sung.
Drama OSTs
Perfume – by Kim Han-gyul
Savior (Hong Isaac Ver.) – by Hong Isaac
Savior (Kyuri Ver.) – by Kyuri
Shadow – by NIIZ
Ratings
The series has received mixed reviews from viewers:
- Letterboxd: 3.6 out of 5
- Watcha: 2.8 out of 5
Overall, some viewers enjoyed the story and performances, while others were more critical.
Netflix Viewership
The Trunk performed well on Netflix’s Top 10 charts, attracting millions of viewers worldwide.
- Nov 25 – Dec 1, 2024: Ranked 19th overall and 10th among non-English shows, with 17.3 million hours watched and 2 million views.
- Dec 2 – Dec 8, 2024: Climbed to 7th overall and 3rd non-English, with 34.4 million hours watched and 4.1 million views.
- Dec 9 – Dec 15, 2024: Ranked 18th overall and 8th non-English, with 15 million hours watched and 1.8 million views.
Total: 66.7 million hours watched and 7.9 million views.
The series’ strong rankings show it was popular and widely enjoyed by audiences around the world.
Watch The Truck on Netflix
