Netflix’s new K-drama The Trunk held a highly anticipated press conference last Tuesday, with its stellar cast and director discussing their roles and the unique elements of the series. Present at the event were Gong Yoo, Seo Hyun-jin, Jung Yun-ha, Jo Yi-geon, Kim Dong-won, and director Kim Kyu-tae. Together, they unveiled insights into their characters and the compelling storylines that shape the show.

The Trunk, directed by Kim Kyu-tae (It’s Okay, That’s Love and Our Blues), is based on the 2015 novel of the same name by Kim Ryeo-ryeong. The story delves into the complexities of love, loss, and healing through a mysterious and poignant lens. Set against the backdrop of NM, a company specializing in fixed-term contract marriages, the drama unravels when a mysterious trunk is discovered in a lake during the fifth contractual marriage of Jung-won (starring Gong Yoo) and In-ji (starring Seo Hyun-jin).

Gong Yoo plays Jung-won, a music producer whose life has been marked by emotional voids and lingering trauma. “This drama takes a different approach to discussing love and relationships. Its storyline can be interpreted differently based on perspective, which attracted me. It was also a great opportunity to act alongside Seo Hyun-jin.” Gong Yoo shared. 

Seo Hyun-jin portrays Noh In-ji, an employee at NM who, despite her aversion to marriage, has completed four contractual assignments. “In-ji is a challenging character because the script provides minimal direction, leaving her personality open to interpretation,” Seo explained.

Director Kim Kyu-tae showered praise on Gong Yoo, admiring his immersive and natural acting style. “He is an actor who enjoys himself on set and completely immerses himself in his character. His tone is so real, not excessive, and that’s why he’s Gong Yoo,” he remarked.

The director was equally impressed with Seo Hyun-jin, acknowledging her dedication and ability to bring depth to her role. “In-ji is a complex character with dualistic actions and psychology. Seo Hyun-jin added dimensions to her character that were not in the script. Her work ethic and energy amazed me.” The director further commented the main cast chemistry on set, "Their connection on set exceeded expectations. They were considerate and supportive of each other, creating a harmony that made them a lovely couple both on and off the screen.”

The drama also introduces intriguing supporting roles that add layers to the narrative. Jung Yun-ha plays Seo-yeon, Jung-won’s ex-wife, whose manipulative tendencies create tension. Jo Yi-geon portrays Seo-yeon’s current husband, Yoon Ji-o, while Kim Dong-won’s mysterious character as Eom Tae-seong hovers around In-ji, adding an air of suspense.

Fans of The Trunk are drawn to its mix of romance, psychological drama, and mystery. The poignant romance between Jung-won and In-ji, as they navigate sorrow and loneliness, leads to a narrative of healing and redemption. Meanwhile, the unfolding mystery surrounding the trunk ties together secretive marriages, hidden desires, and complex relationships. The fans  couldn’t help but marvel at the pair's on-screen chemistry, with their two-shot moments fueling excitement for the show.

Catch The Trunk now streaming on Netflix.

Netflix has announced the production of The Trunk, a mystery series starring Korean A-listers Seo Hyun-jin and Gong Yoo. The story revolves around a whirlwind of unforeseen events and secrets that follow after a mystifying trunk is found in the depths of a lake. 

Director Choi Hang-yong, Writer Park Eun-Kyo, Lee Mu-Saeng, Kim Sun-young, Gong Yoo, Bae Doona, Lee Joon, Lee Sungwook and Executive Producer Jung Woosung

On 22 December, the cast of Netflix's upcoming sci-fi, mystery-thriller film, 'The Silent Sea', attended the online media conference, together with Director Choi Hang-yong, Writer Park Eun-Kyo and Executive Producer Jung Woosung.

The set of the media conference was supposed to be the surface of the moon. The cast members arriving at the conference were 'landing on the moon', an extremely apt concept with 'The Silent Sea'.

The cast members expressed their excitement meeting one another again since their last shoot and also mentioned how the set of the media conference allowed them to recall the memories they had filming 'The Silent Sea'.

Director of 'The Silent Sea', Director Choi Hang-yong

Director Choi infomed that the series, 'The Silent Sea', is actually based on his graduation work. Adapted from Director Choi's short film, which garnered attention at the 2014 Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival, he has expanded the story from it being focused on outer space originally, to now depicting the story on Earth and mankind.

"I wanted to create something true to my passion, that is physically on the moon," shared the talented and ambitious Director Choi.

Writer of 'The Silent Sea', Writer Park Eun-kyo

Writer Park Eun-kyo shared that a lot of research was done for the show and it was a long time in the making. As there are not many similar genres of such projects produced domestically yet, the writer added that it was a fun topic to explore and create.

Bae Doona, plays Song Jian in The Silent Sea

The A-list actress, Bae Doona, plays Song Jian, a well-known astrobiologist and ethologist, who took up the special mission to the moon to learn the truth behind an accident that happened 5 years ago.

When asked why she took up the role of Song Jian, the actress replied, "Korean sci-fi is a big challenge, I read the script and it was great so I took up the challenge.". Bae Doona also commented that 'The Silent Sea' will create food for thought and touch on social issues, which will be able to intrigue viewers.

When asked about the spacesuits that the cast members had to put on throughout the filming of the series, the actress revealed that the spacesuits weighed a significant 8.5kg (without the helmet and life support). 

Bae Doona revealed that the team tried their best for the suit to be as light as possible, but it was still heavy and it was also almost difficult to breathe in the helmet, which allowed her and the other cast members to feel like they were really on the moon.

Gong Yoo, plays Han Yunjae in The Silent Sea

Similar to Bae Doona, the A-list actor Gong Yoo, has also received much attention on his character as Han Yunjae. The actor plays the youngest captain of the Space and Aeronautics Administration's Expedition Team.

The actor revealed that he accepted the role as he wanted to challenge himself in the genre and series, and that he found no reason to not join this project of 'The Silent Sea'.

"I'm also interested in a dystopian world backdrop and it was refreshing,", commented Gong Yoo, who expressed his satisfaction of the series.

The actor also talked about the spacesuit and use of wires for the filming, stating that it restricted easy movement, as if there was really zero gravity.

Lee Joon, plays Ryu Taesuk in The Silent Sea

The versatile idol-actor, Lee Joon, plays the chief engineer and former Ministry of National Defense elite. Lee Joon also revealed that he is very interested in outer space and that one of his hobbies included looking up information and researching on the outer space matters.

He also candidly mentioned that behind-the-scenes, the cast members will be dancing on the filming set and having fun together.

Lee Joon also expressed his joy to be in many productions that are currently airing.

Kim Sun-young, plays Doctor Hong Gayoung in The Silent Sea

Kim Sun-young plays the vital role of Doctor Hong Gayoung, the genius team doctor who is responsible for the lives of her crew members on the mission to the moon.

The actress joked that she said "yes" to the role upon seeing Jung Woosung as the Executive Producer for the project. Kim Sun-young continued to express her respect for the Jung Woosung as an executive producer and actor himself, by sharing episodes on her prior interactions with him, showing his passion in his works.

Lee Mu-saeng, plays Gong Soohyuk in The Silent Sea

Lee Mu-saeng plays the role of Gong Soohyuk, the chief security officer for the expedition team and the older brother of Soochan. Strong yet silent, Soohyuk stays true to the mission while putting his life on the line.

A second teaser poster and a teaser trailer have been unveiled for sci-fi mystery thriller series The Silent Sea, which premieres 24 December on Netflix. The show is about an elite team who goes on a special mission to an abandoned research base on the moon in a dystopian 2075 where Earth has been devastated by resource depletion. The new ensemble teaser poster shows the elite team members tasked with a grave mission to reach the moon to find new means of mankind’s survival. Astrobiologist Song Jian (Bae Doona), team leader Han Yunjae (Gong Yoo), head engineer Ryu Taesuk (Lee Joon), team doctor Hong Gayoung (Kim Sun-young), head of security Gong Soohyuk (Lee Mu-saeng), and spacecraft pilot Kim Sun (Lee Sung-wook) look tense as they are about to enter uncharted territory. Meanwhile, the teaser trailer captures volatile situations the team members are thrown into. The spaceship carrying the elite team is forced to make an emergency landing on the moon due to technical issues, threatening the mission from the get-go. The team barely escapes as the ship tenuously hangs on a cliff, makes it across the desolate surface of the moon engulfed in endless silence, and finally reaches Balhae Lunar Research Station. The team must risk their lives to find the answer to mankind’s survival and complete their mission in this secret room-like research base. The Silent Sea is set to premiere on 24 December, only on Netflix.

After appearing in the hit television drama, ‘Goblin’, and the zombie blockbuster, ‘Train to Busan’, Gong Yoo has reached rock-star status with both a domestic South Korean audience and a growing international fan base. This month on CNN’s ‘Talk Asia’, host Anna Coren sits down with one of Asia’s most popular and in-demand actors in Seoul, to talk about life outside of acting, the roles that shot him to superstardom and why he’s a reluctant celebrity. In an in-depth and wide-ranging interview, Gong Yoo also reveals the moment that changed his life, explains why he’s not on social media, and answers perhaps his fans’ biggest question.

Highlights from the 30-minute interview: 

On becoming an actor 
“I never thought about becoming an actor. Even when I was applying for university, I didn't choose that major in order to become an actor. But after I got in, I hung out with friends who had dreams to become actors. As I studied with them, I became more interested in the art of expression. I started to think maybe I could become an actor, but I didn't have the confidence.”

On fame and attention 
“In the end, because of fame, ‘Gong Yoo’ exists. It's the driving force that keeps me going. But if there's something you gain, there's also something you can lose. I want to separate my life as an actor from my personal life because of the fame. But I know it may be hard for people to accept that.” “It's not about the money, it's not about honor. It's not important to me. I don't worry because of it. But it would be the fans who have been supporting me all this time, who have been with me since the beginning. Because of them, I have to improve as an actor, I have to be a strength to them.”

On his private life 
“As an actor, you have to face the public all the time. It's a job where it gives people fantasies but also creates prejudices. These prejudices are the scariest things. It makes people judge you on your personal life or your image - it can also affect the characters I play. Therefore, I try not to showcase my personal life too much. In some ways, I think I may not have the best personality to be an actor. It doesn't matter when I'm in character in front of cameras, but when they go off I feel embarrassed to expose my private life. I like being natural but I'm worried there may be misunderstandings so that's why I tend to come off a little shy.”

On the future 
“I think I find the planning a film quite interesting. I think it would be fun to individually and more professionally plan out a film, without being an actor. In Hollywood, where they have massive capital, actors get to produce a lot so I envy that. Normally a movie tells a message that the director wants to tell, not what the actor wants to tell. So I think it'll be great to produce a project that can get my own message out - with my favorite director and my favorite actor.”


Airtimes for 30-minute special: Malaysia at Channel 511
Thursday 25th May at 4.30PM (Pre-empted)
Friday 26th May at 11.30AM (Pre-empted)
Saturday 27th May at 12.30PM and 11.30PM (Premiere)
Saturday 10th June at 10.00AM
Saturday 17th June at 10.00AM