‘The Trunk’: South Korean Murder Mystery which Exposes the Consequences of Patriarchal Gender Roles in Korean Society
Disclaimer: The following article contains spoilers for the Netflix K-Drama 'The Trunk'.
Trigger Warnings: Murder, Domestic Violence.
The new Netflix South Korea original series, The Trunk, is one of the country’s most anticipated TV series of the year. Led by Gong Yoo (Train to Busan, The Guardian and Squid Game), the TV series boasts an innovative departure from the well-established “whodunnit” murder mystery genre. While characters in the show know who the victim is, the audience is not granted this information. The mystery is twofold and viewers are set on a visually engaging saga set to determine both the victim and the killer.
The series begins when a dead body holding onto a luxury branded suitcase washes up on shore at a lake in Seoul, South Korea. Soon enough, the police were able to trace the luggage back to a married couple, who are introduced through flashbacks. Almost immediately, the couple’s tumultuous relationship leads audiences to believe that either one of them could be the killer or the victim.
The eight episodes conclude in what could be perceived as a somewhat predictable and "safe" ending. However, the series successfully captures the perils of patriarchal gender roles that have been enforced onto South Korean marriages. Seo Hyun Jin, who plays Gong Yoo’s fictional wife Noh In-Ji, is revealed to be a contract wife. Noh works for the NM Corporation, which provides the service of 'spouses' for hire for a year.
This profession does not come without its risks. On the first day of her marriage to Han Jeong-Won (Gong Yoo), he throws a beer can at her. The can misses her by a margin, hitting a chandelier, which falls and leaves a deep cut on her forearm for which she requires stitches.
On the other hand, Han Jeong-Won’s ex-wife, Lee Seo-Yeon (played by Jung Yun Ha), is revealed to have divorced him after he asked the doctor to prioritize their unborn baby’s life when she was involved in a traffic accident while pregnant. She had felt immense pressure from her former husband, colleagues, friends and society to be a mother when she wanted to pursue a career. These stories speak to issues such as women’s lack of bodily autonomy, domestic abuse and others that exist in a patriarchal society where men are empowered at the expense of women. This is why The Trunk is relevant to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of Gender Equality.
The show portrays the reality of the hyper-patriarchal nature of South Korean society, where misogyny is pervasive and has many consequences. Among other things, childcare is a duty relegated to women and working women experience a wider gender pay gap. These circumstances have pushed local feminist groups to create the 4B movement. This grassroots movement calls for no marriage, no heterosexual sex, no childbirth and no dating men until equality is achieved on multiple fronts, including at home and work.
The Trunk does not stop at portraying the inequalities and injustices that women experience; it also goes on to show how this hurts men just as much as we delve deeper into Han Jeong-Won’s past experiences of living with an abusive father. These cycles unfold in real life and South Korea now has the lowest birth rate on the planet, with no signs of reversal soon. Popular media such as The Trunk, which shows that a patriarchal society affects both men and women negatively, can help local audiences reconcile with the notion that equality will benefit both sections.
The Trunk goes beyond its murder mystery premise to deliver a powerful critique of patriarchal gender roles in South Korean marriages. By portraying the struggles of women like Noh In-Ji and Lee Seo-Yeon, the series highlights issues of bodily autonomy, societal expectations and overall gender inequality that has caused them. At the same time, it explores how these norms harm men, illustrating how patriarchy perpetuates cycles of pain for all genders. The Trunk not only exposes these systemic injustices but also sparks crucial conversations about the need for a more equitable and compassionate society.
Find out more about The Trunk and other shows by Netflix Korea on their website www.netflix.com/kr-en/ or Instagram @netflixkr.