Kim Kyu Tae, director of Netflix’s The Trunk, couldn’t hide his admiration for the chemistry and dedication of lead actors Seo Hyun Jin and Gong Yoo.
In an interview held on December 3rd, Kim Kyu Tae reflected on the exceptional performances in the drama. Seo Hyun Jin plays No In Ji, a woman left alone because of marriage, while Gong Yoo portrays Han Jeong Won, a man trapped in loneliness after getting married. The two delivered nuanced portrayals that have been widely praised.
Speaking about working with the actors, Kim said, “They exceeded all my expectations. The power actors bring to a project is immense. Honestly, I wonder if the textures and emotions we achieved would have been possible without these two,” adding, “Their serious and affectionate approach to their roles, striving for maximum sincerity, was truly professional.”
Kim also highlighted their seamless preparation, saying, “Rehearsals were a breeze. They had already aligned everything before we started. Some actors have a tendency to focus on standing out themselves, but these two prioritized making their co-star’s performance shine.”
Kim shared that Seo Hyun Jin’s perfectionist nature became apparent while shaping her character, No In Ji. “Seo Hyun Jin always feels she could do better and pushes herself to improve further. Despite being praised for her acting, she wanted to explore other dimensions. Her intolerance for personal mistakes drives her to rehearse extensively and deliver perfection,” he said.
One scene that left Kim in awe was a montage where No In Ji’s anguish is conveyed. “While we were discussing how to portray certain gestures naturally, she demonstrated something herself that completely stunned me. It was an interpretation I hadn’t considered, and it gave me chills,” he shared.
Addressing the open-ended conclusion of The Trunk, which left some supporting characters’ arcs unresolved, Kim explained, “The focus had to remain on the protagonists. Expanding on other characters’ stories would have required more episodes. If it had been a 16- or 20-part series, we could have delved into those details.”
Kim further elaborated, “I wanted the story to be unsettling, not in terms of events but through psychological mystery. It’s about duality—both in relationships and emotions. Even the methods of expression were intended to reflect this duality. It’s unfamiliar and uncomfortable, but in a good way. I wanted viewers to question, ‘Where is this emotion coming from?’”
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