On December 5, MyDaily met Gong Yoo at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, to discuss the Netflix series “The Trunk” and various topics.
“The Trunk” depicts two people bound by a one-year marriage contract and a mysterious trunk.
Regarding his character Jeong-won and relationship with In-ji (played by Seo Hyun-jin), Gong Yoo explained: “Sometimes you meet someone and think, “This person could be my match,” and that connection can turn into love or a deep friendship. Jeong-won must have felt this way about In-ji. There’s a key scene that shows when their bond begins, and I think it’s crucial. Despite dealing with his own difficulties, Jeong-won must have thought, “This person is as pitiful as me,” and they became each other’s only comfort. That sense of connection and complex emotions probably brought them together.”
The show’s use of contractual marriage as a central theme has sparked controversy, with some linking it to issues such as prostitution. On this, Gong Yoo firmly stated: “I don’t even want to use that terminology. From my perspective, it was shocking to see this controversy arise. While I anticipated differing opinions, I think the negative outlook is only a fraction of the total. When the series launched simultaneously in over 190 countries, various reactions poured in. Even within the national media, opinions are divided. Many people approach the issues involved in the work from different points of view. If everyone interpreted it negatively it would be a problem, but that’s not the case. I do not ignore the negative perspective but consider it as one of many interpretations.”
He continued: “After completing this project, I reflected on love and relationships. I revisited my past and reflected on what to do to move forward. Love has no single correct answer; takes many forms. “The Trunk” does not state “This is what love looks like,” but instead asks, “What kind of love do you believe in?” If the viewers coincide with my feelings, I consider it a success.”
In a personal note, Gong Yoo said: “I don’t think marriage is a given. I’m about 45, but I don’t see a definitive answer. It’s a personal choice for everyone.” As for parenting, she shared: “It’s the same. When I was in my 20s and 30s, I wanted to have a child quickly. I had this vague fantasy of being a young father with a child close to my age. But things didn’t work out. I failed completely. (Laughs) Like marriage, having children is a choice. On a deeper level, I often wonder what kind of world I could show my child. This uncertainty makes everything more difficult.”
He added: “Children have no choice: they are born from the will of two people who love each other. But the world they are born into may not be as beautiful as expected. I may be thinking too much, but I spend a lot of time struggling with such thoughts. This is not an easy decision due to these concerns.”
Source: Daum
