Netflix K-Drama “The Trunk” Actress Reveals Weight Loss That Led To Shocking Spine-Exposing Scene

Netflix recently released its new Korean melodrama series, The Trunk, based on Kim Ryeo Ryeong‘s novel of the same name. Written by Park Eun Young and directed by Kim Kyu Tae, it stars Seo Hyun Jin, Gong Yoo, Jung Yun Ha, and Jung Yun Ha.

Noh In Ji (Seo Hyun Jin) works for contract marriage provider NM. The company provides its clients with a spouse for a fixed-term 1 year contract marriage. Noh In Ji has finished her 4th contract marriage. She meets Han Jeong Won (Gong Yoo) for her 5th contract marriage. Han Jeong Won works as a music producer. His life is filled with anxiety and loneliness due to the pain from his past. He still badly misses his ex-wife Seo Yeon, who applied for the spouse providing company NM for him. Han Jeong Won meets Noh In Ji from NM and he begins his second marriage with her. They get to know each other and used to each other as time passes. One day, a mysterious trunk is recovered from a lake. This leads them into a whirlwind of secrets behind the NM company.

— AsianWiki

Seo Hyun Jin has received praise for her portrayal of In Ji. She truly proved herself a versatile actress.

GY just had to throw the beer can out of the frame and HJ just had to be surprised, but he failed to aim it well and accidentally threw it at the chandelier. HJ was surprised for real, but she just continued acting. The director used this cut. 😧👏🏻#TheTrunk #GongYoo #SeoHyunJin pic.twitter.com/BJiltYjMqU

— cia🐰 | by.scene (@ciabyscene) December 2, 2024

The most epic scenes!!!

The way Hyunjin's acting to shows her emotions was superb. And I notice when Jeongwon calms down Inji by holding it tightly in its arms, he also kissed her eyes 🥹

Their performance kept me hooked 👏#SeoHyunJin #GongYoo #TheTrunk #TheTrunkEp8 pic.twitter.com/mVhm6x9Grg

— S E R E N D I P I T Y (@tropicasummer) December 8, 2024

Yet, one scene that especially stood out was where In Ji’s spine and neck bones are exposed.

It appeared to symbolize the character’s struggles and desperation. This triggered viewers to wonder if Seo Hyun Jin intentionally lost weight, truly immersing herself in the role. She revealed that she hadn’t intentionally lost weight, but at the time, she had lost about eleven pounds. She said she has gained weight and feels her appearance has improved.

I didn’t specifically lose weight for it. The kayaking scene and taking care of my older dog during that time made it even more physically demanding. I think I lost weight without trying, probably more than I realized. When I look at it now, I feel like I lost too much weight. But luckily, I think it fit the character. I think I lost about 4-5 kg. But now, I think I look better. I’ve gotten better since.

— Seo Hyun Jin

Co-star Gong Yoo even commented on the visually striking scene featuring her cervical spine. He admired Seo Hyun Jin and admitted it added intensity but also sexiness to her character. He was so impressed he asked for the scene to be featured in the trailer for The Trunk.

I now understand why she’s so thin and why she doesn’t gain weight. …I wasn’t in that scene, but when I went to the set to film mine, I was curious and asked the director to show me. That scene requires an enormous amount of emotional energy. When I saw it, I was like, ‘Wow, that’s intense.’

It wasn’t visually planned, and Hyun Jin didn’t intentionally lose weight for it. I’m not sure if this is the right expression, but when I saw it, I told the director, ‘Her cervical spine looks beautiful.’ I even found it sexy. Without any lines, she was able to express so much through just her image. I thought it was a beautiful and powerful scene. I even asked the director to make sure it was included in the trailer.

— Gong Yoo via Ten Asia

Read more about the K-Drama below.

Gong Yoo’s New K-Drama “The Trunk” Shocks With Multiple Sex Scenes