In the serene outskirts of Seoul, the opening scene of Season 1, Episode 1 of "The Trunk" sets a melancholy ambiance. Noh In-ji, portrayed with mesmerizing depth by Kim Hye-soo, is a professional in the unique realm of contract marriages. She attends to her latest spouse with a clinical detachment that reveals much about her intricate character. Her adeptness in severing ties following the husband's passing solidifies her reputation as the pinnacle of her company's expertise. Despite her boss's earnest plea for a respite, In-ji, propelled by an unseen and insistent force, declines, paving the way for her most enigmatic contract yet—with Han Jeong-won, embodied with charismatic allure by Lee Jung-jae.
Han Jeong-won, a wealthy and accomplished music composer, is the buzz of the town, albeit not for his melodious compositions but for whispers of drug addiction that have swirled around him since his divorce. However, the truth harbors a far deeper tragedy; his relentless insomnia propels him into dangerous overdoses of sleeping pills, a secret confined to his closest confidants. His aversion to the family chandelier, a haunting relic from his marriage to Lee Seo-yeon (the graceful Kim Hee-ae), stands as a symbol of his unresolved past. As In-ji steps into his home, she accepts the wedding ring he has selected for her with an air of peculiar ease, marking the inception of their contractual union.
Jeong-won's life embarks on a tumultuous trajectory when he is apprehended by the police, who suspect him of drug use based on an anonymous tip from a duplicitous coworker. His furious confrontation with the coworker and the calm, calculated intervention of his boss, Hyeon-cheol (the seasoned Yoo Hae-jin), underscore the intricate power dynamics at play. Hyeon-cheol's confusion over his role as Jeong-won's superior is a subtle nod to the undercurrents of a power struggle within the music label, which Jeong-won owns in secrecy.
The rumors of Jeong-won's drug addiction reach his ex-wife, Seo-yeon, through the grapevine, facilitated by Hyeon-cheol's wife, Yun-a. Seo-yeon's frosty demeanor during a dinner with Jeong-won stands in stark contrast to his lingering affection for her. Their shared history as high school sweethearts is marred by a life-threatening incident involving Seo-yeon, which irrevocably altered their paths. Jeong-won's poignant gift of earrings to Seo-yeon and her subsequent departure with her younger husband leave a lingering bitterness that refuses to dissipate.
Jeong-won's desperation is tangible as he trails after them, ultimately discovering the earrings forlornly left in the car. His repeated, desperate calls to Seo-yeon fall on deaf ears, as he bears witness to an intimate scene between her and her husband. His frustration boils over into a violent, impulsive act—smashing her car window—which promptly leads to his arrest. Yet, Seo-yeon's subsequent cover for him underscores the intricately twisted bond they share.
In-ji's arrival to escort him home marks a pivotal moment. Jeong-won's attempts to maintain a distance and his awkward adherence to the formalities of their contract marriage clash with In-ji's pragmatic demeanor. Her matter-of-fact suggestion to consult the manual serves as a stark reminder of the transactional essence of their union.
That night, Jeong-won is haunted by a nightmarish vision of his mother murdering his father. His pleading cries for her to stop chillingly reveal his understanding and, to some extent, complicity in the act. In-ji's unwavering efforts to care for him, despite his refusal to eat, underscore her steadfast commitment to her role.
Meanwhile, the police uncover a rafter and an expensive trunk, eerily reminiscent of In-ji's, along with a Prada wallet, hinting at a darker subplot lurking in the shadows. Upon returning to her modest apartment, In-ji finds herself entangled in a web of secrets. Her neighbor's advice to move on from her missing fiancé and In-ji's half-jest about having killed him add an additional layer of mystery to her character.
The news of Eom Tae-song's discharge from a mental hospital sends ripples of anxiety through In-ji, prompting her to brace herself for any potential threat. Jeong-won's panic attack before confronting Seo-yeon to clear the air about the car incident testifies to his emotional upheaval. In stark contrast to her publicly displayed support, Seo-yeon's cold wish for his demise chills him to the bone.
The episode concludes on a dramatic note, as a spat between Jeong-won and In-ji inadvertently leads to a chaotic accident involving a chandelier. In-ji's protective instincts shine through as she shields Jeong-won from the falling shards of glass, placing her own safety at risk. The police's interrogation of Jeong-won regarding the ownership of the trunk ends on a cliffhanger, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this gripping saga.
