Actor Gong Yoo portrays Han Jeong-won, a man whose childhood trauma has hindered his emotional growth into adulthood, in the Netflix drama "Trunk." Courtesy of Netflix
By KTimes
Time spares no one, not even actor Gong Yoo. Yet, unlike many who fear the visible marks of aging, Gong welcomes his wrinkles, finding charm in the natural progression of life.
During an interview at a cafe in Seoul on Dec. 5, Gong discussed his latest project, the Netflix’s series "Trunk." The show explores a bizarre marriage arrangement between two individuals, set against the backdrop of a mysterious floating trunk that unravels a secretive matchmaking service.
In the series, Gong plays Han Jeong-won, a man who marries but becomes deeply lonely. Forced into a contractual marriage due to his former wife, Lee Seo-yeon (played by Jeong Yoon-ha), Han navigates the complexities of love and relationships.
Gong shared that he was drawn to the series for its nuanced exploration of love, saying, "I believe even in romantic relationships, there are darker aspects. Many dramas and films portray love in a bright, glorified way, but I wanted to delve into its shadows."
He added, "I wanted to explore that side of relationships and act out those emotions. I was curious why the character Jeong-won is in so much pain."
Actor Gong Yoo / Courtesy of Netflix
Love as existence, not possession
While filming "Trunk", Gong reflected deeply on the nature of love, describing it as either “existential love” or “possessive love.”
He said, “Possessive love can ruin relationships. Under the name of love, it can harm both oneself and those around you. When you truly love someone, you constantly wrestle with petty emotions. Being composed and finding strength simply in the other person's presence — that’s what I think existential love is about.”
Actress Seo Hyun-jin stars alongside Gong as No In-ji, a woman who finds herself isolated by her matchmaking career.
Playing Jeong-won’s fifth husband, Gong expressed admiration for Seo Hyun-jin, saying, "I couldn’t imagine anyone else as No In-ji. Even after filming ended, I thought, ‘If not Seo Hyun-jin, who could have done it?’"
He described her as a relentless and meticulous actor, adding, “I finally understood why she doesn’t gain weigh — she works so intensely. Watching her perform on set was a real joy.”
Gong emphasized that "Trunk" is not a dual-protagonist story, but rather one that centers more on No In-ji’s journey.
Reflecting on his evolving priorities, he noted, "In the past, I might have wanted to be the title role, but as time passed, I realized that’s not what matters. Having experienced being the lead, I now focus on whether the story genuinely intrigues me. If I’m not curious about the story, being the title role holds no meaning."
Actor Gong Yoo says he is not averse to getting older. Courtesy of Netflix
Embracing time and wrinkles
Gong’s grounded outlook extends to his personal perspective on aging.
“I love the wrinkles on my face. They can become part of my mise-en-scene as an actor. I am not averse to aging,” he said.
Yet, he admitted to being momentarily surprised by changes, like developing double eyelids with age. “It was unfamiliar at first — an unexpected change from aging. I liked my eyes without double eyelids, so it felt awkward at first, but it’s not because I dislike aging.”
Released on Nov. 29, "Trunk" invites viewers into its mysterious world of unconventional love stories, adding another thought-provoking performance to Gong’s illustrious career.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.
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