The Trunk (2024) s01e04 Episode Script

[opening theme music playing]
THE TRUNK
[funky pop music playing]
5 YEARS AGO
[man] Thanks for letting me
come see you off.
What else can I give you, honey?
A ceremony would be great.
Will this work for you?
Well, it's what you want.
Please don't kill my mother.
[man chuckles]
Could I pay someone to do it?
Mm, don't think so.
[In-ji laughs]
You think she'll show up to it?
Uh, nah.
Let's say most people live
to be 80 years old.
Scratch that. We'll live a little longer.
I bet we'll be about a hundred or so,
and you might get tired of it
living with me.
I'll get rid of you when you're 70,
then it'll be fine.
Forty years. Wow.
What should I do after that?
Well, probably try to live out
the rest of your life with someone else.
With a man.
[chuckles]
Do you think people will
will be less lonely
by then?
Did you feel lonely?
Sort of.
But not with you, In-Ji.
I think most of us,
we're either lonely or evil.
And life's taught me that
the lonely ones
always seem to get abandoned
and left in the dust.
[chuckles]
If we do get another life,
let's just bow out.
Let's get left in the dust.
[gentle piano music playing]
I'll always make sure you're not lonely.
I'll take care of you, okay?
You won't have to spend your life hiding.
[both laugh]
THE TRUNK
[gentle piano music continues]
[gentle piano music continues]
[gentle piano music continues]
[gentle piano music continues]
[music fades]
[sighs]
[Hyeon-cheol] I just watched
this documentary
about this tribe called the Mosuo.
In their matriarchal society,
marriage doesn't exist.
They basically treat dating
as the equivalent,
and the parents don't even know
when their kids get married.
When a child is born,
the woman raises the child at her place.
The man raises his older sister's baby.
Their village looked super peaceful too.
What are you getting at?
You don't even watch
the meter in a cab, do you?
You called a taxi at three in the morning
to haul my ass out here.
Come on, at least talk a little.
Or just catch a fish already
so we can make some maeuntang.
Using live bait to capture
another living animal for sport,
it's heartless.
You are heartless.
You know,
I think I'd like to sleep with her.
Who do you mean?
Your new woman?
[woman] The tests indicate
they're not LSD or methamphetamines.
They're mostly sleeping pills
in the zolpidem family, doxepin,
benzodiazepines,
antidepressants, and anxiolytics,
and some melatonin too.
They're all over-the-counter medications,
although it's unusual
for someone to have this many.
Is it unusual to hide them?
If addiction is a factor,
it's quite common.
Well, looks like a rainy day today.
Have a good afternoon. Take care, Ms. Noh.
Okay.
[disconnect tone]
[intriguing music playing]
[knocking at door]
[door opens]
[door closes]
[music fades]
You're working on vacation?
I wanted to give you this the other day,
but the timing wasn't right.
You only wear one, so
Need a hand with that?
I'm used to this one right now.
I'll wear yours later.
Why were you being so weird
at Jeong-won's?
Acting like the lady of the house.
[chuckles]
I gave it some thought, and
I think it wasn't because of us
or Jeong-won.
You really don't like In-ji, do you?
I lived in that house
for a very long time.
I wasn't acting.
It was just kind of a reflex.
All right. I guess that explains it, then.
Enjoy.
[door closes]
[mouse clicks]
[pensive music playing]
[thunder rumbling]
[pensive music continues]
HAN JEONG-WON
[gunshot echoes]
[ethereal music playing]
[Si-jeong] Ugh, I haven't seen him.
He's still living rent-free in my head.
I thought he'd show up right away
if he got out.
Eom Tae-seong.
So how's this one going?
Is it a nice place?
It's your first time
in a marriage like this.
He's not terminally ill on his deathbed.
That's good.
He's not gay and needs to marry you
because of his parents. [chuckles]
He's not a mental case who's always
trying to commit suicide either.
At least this guy's actually
normal this time.
Good God. It doesn't matter
if these men have issues or not.
It's bad either way.
But this person is kind of troubled.
I mean, he's got addiction issues.
All right, if you say so.
So what are you hoping to get
out of this marriage?
Can you offer him anything
to improve his situation?
Divorce.
A perfect divorce.
[Hyeon-cheol chuckles]
Man, I never thought
I'd live to see the day.
Han Jeong-won moved on
and found himself a different woman.
When you told me you were getting married,
at first, I thought
you were out of your mind.
But then I was just lying around at home,
and I got excited.
Why waste all that effort
looking for a new partner?
Now you get to enjoy married life
with someone who's a perfect match
and no strings attached.
Seriously, lots of men
would be on cloud nine.
Ladies too, actually.
No kids, no annoying in-laws.
Just a peaceful, reliable,
casual marriage.
It's the whole package.
Dude, you into her?
It's not like that.
- It's just
- What?
Once she moved in, I could sleep.
Sleep and wake up in the morning.
I get so bothered
that she's changing things,
although I don't really know why.
So you wanna do it
with a chick who bothers you?
I think any woman would do, actually.
What are you, 15? You're well over 30.
You should be able to tell.
Look, you need to figure this out.
Do you just need a lady,
or are you in love?
No way. Jesus.
It's not love.
This is why you can't trust people
who think they know everything
after reading one book
or dating one person. You're a moron.
Seo-yeon turned your brain into shit.
[intriguing music playing]
[man] Hey, In-ji.
You shop here too?
What a coincidence.
[intriguing music continues]
[Hyeon-cheol] You need to figure this out.
Do you just need a lady,
or are you in love?
[sighs]
[Jeong-won] Hey, where are
[man chuckles]
I was happy to run into you in this area.
You're happy about it, why?
I don't have a lot of friends nearby,
ya know? Also I mean, it's just cool.
We're both taken. Neither of us have exes
Yeah, I'm wondering if you were just happy
to run into a coworker for a change.
Wait, so you know?
Yes. Well, of course,
Assistant Manager Yoon Ji-o.
[Ji-o chuckles]
I'm sorry. I thought I only knew.
Two husbands in the mix
with two pretty wives.
There's a game like that where the lies
are mixed in with the truth, you know?
Hey, how about we work together?
This thing with Seo-yeon,
I wanna make it real now.
Does Seo-yeon
take lots of medication?
Sleep aids, for instance?
You mean that as a yes?
[phone buzzing]
[Jeong-won] Would you like
to have dinner together? Maybe a patio?
You can pick the restaurant.
[In-ji] Sure.
Got a date?
I'm gonna head out.
Look, I don't know about you.
I swear I'm on your side, no matter what.
Let's make this work.
[uneasy music playing]
- [music intensifies]
- [grunts]
[indistinct announcement on PA]
[music fades]
Didn't think we'd be eating here.
I thought it'd be satisfying
to eat in front of someone
who can't have a meal like this.
[chuckles]
What's so funny?
I was just wondering why
I really want it, you know?
Do I just need it? Or is there
is there more to this?
Oh, sorry, never mind.
Dig in.
[In-ji] Aren't you supposed to have
miyeokguk on birthdays?
Why does he like this so much anyway?
People who grew up by the ocean
put rockfish in their miyeokguk
instead of beef.
Once you've had it like that,
it sticks with you forever,
even after you move away.
No matter what you try to do,
you can't recreate
the flavor from your childhood.
He beat her like crazy
because the taste was wrong.
We always had miyeokguk at home.
At first, I thought
it was because my father liked it,
but I found out later
that my mom never even got to
have a bite of the stuff
after she gave birth to me.
[wistful music playing]
Her mother abandoned her as a kid.
It tormented her forever.
[wistful music continues]
[Jeong-won] My father beat her up once,
and after she was taken to the hospital
with broken teeth,
she had made some for herself
without even turning the lights on.
[wistful music continues]
All that over miyeokguk.
Every time she was hurting,
every time she got beaten up,
I don't know if she thought
it was gonna heal her, or, um
Or who knows? She might've thought
it was a bad omen that
No one ever made it for her as a child.
With this kind of food,
all I can think of is death.
[music fades]
So, um, what's this?
Protocol.
Comforting each other is allowed.
You're okay.
It's like
me holding your hand on a roller coaster.
[chuckles]
Back in the day,
when Japan occupied Korea,
freedom fighters made these pacts.
You know about this?
They swore to kill each other's fathers
if they were traitors,
all because each of them knew
they couldn't do it to their own father.
Split the hard work, you know?
I take solace knowing
they used to do things like that.
So let's do it.
I can take care of him for you.
You can kill my mother in return.
[intriguing music playing]
[Hyeon-cheol]
I'm guessing my dad's fuming?
Uh, no, I I'm on my way. Yeah.
I'm going in now.
Yeah, all right.
Oh Hyeon-cheol?
Uh, yes.
I met your wife at the Heritage Lounge.
- She ordered these special rice cakes.
- Oh, great. Thank you.
Big fan too.
Your label's been producing
really good stuff.
Thanks so much.
I I'm in a bit of a rush, so
Han Jeong-won is the best.
His work, in particular.
It's extraordinary.
Right. Okay.
- Name is Oh Hyeon-cheol. Thank you.
- [woman] Sure, right this way.
What did you do today?
We're supposed to ask these questions.
We're married. So what did you do?
Fishing.
Do, um, you like fishing?
I don't.
Why not?
All I can think of
is my goldfish when I do it.
What's that look about?
You don't seem to feel all that bad
about grilling them though.
If it bothers you that much, I won't.
Oh my God, you're cruel.
What did you do today?
Hey, it was you that said
we're supposed to ask each other.
Just this and that.
Mostly little things
that you have to do that no one sees.
I had to run the dryer 'cause it rained.
It's a shame.
I prefer to dry the sheets outside.
[sentimental music playing]
That sounds nice.
You know,
you have such a calming presence.
It's comforting.
You say these things sometimes.
I don't know if I can even describe it,
but it just
Like when you do the buttons wrong
on a shirt, and then you redo it
very slowly. It feels right.
Are you not good at buttoning a shirt?
Actually, yeah, when I was little.
I'd do it on purpose too.
When I did it,
my mom's eyes would light up.
She'd go, "You're a mess, hon."
One by one, she'd redo the whole thing.
And for an instant, she was at ease.
You just make people feel comfortable,
I guess.
Why else would I be
telling you these stories?
Not to say that
that that's the reason
I kissed you the other night.
[sentimental music continues]
[sentimental music continues]
You must've had to do chores as a kid.
Well, my dad didn't like
letting people in the house.
I don't wanna take after him,
but I'm the same way.
I lived like a college kid for ten years.
I didn't buy one piece of furniture.
I just cleaned obsessively.
[music fades]
And whenever I do get
a new furniture piece,
it's like I have to do battle
with it for a while.
Takes me a while to get used to it.
You feel that way about us?
Well, your housework's pretty good.
So about your mother
Why do you want her to die?
Be good to know if we ever split
the hard work between the two of us.
You don't have to tell me
if you don't want to.
I was married.
She ruined that, of course,
and she got my ex killed.
[pensive music playing]
[pensive music continues]
[pensive music continues]
- [Si-jeong] You killed it?
- [exclaims, gasps]
[Do-dam] Jesus fricking Christ!
What the hell are you doing here so early?
What's going on?
[Si-jeong] You're one to talk.
It's way weirder that you're here now.
[groans] Oh, goddammit.
You try taking care of them, then!
See for yourself how long they survive.
I'm the only reason they lived so long.
Oh, get over yourself.
If you take good care of them,
these damn things outlive dogs.
Keep this to yourself.
She always comes back here
'cause she's attached to this place.
If she heard they died?
Listen to that.
My God, you must care about her.
- Don't even think about blabbing.
- All right, I get it.
The owner, that punk.
He's still alive, isn't he?
He's gonna come back, right?
Mm.
I heard that he's alive.
We all thought he was dead,
but apparently, he's still around.
[In-ji] How have you been?
So polite.
You're not just a South Korean bitch, huh?
Things are going okay.
A meal sound good?
[In-ji] Your husband
still won't agree to it at all?
What about keeping the next child?
The OBGYN said I won't have other kids.
I guess I was born with a weak uterus.
I've lost contact
with my youngest sibling.
I didn't even see her corpse in my dreams.
I'm sure she's dead.
Now I'm really alone, and, uh
and all I have is this baby.
And I want it bad.
[pensive music playing]
I'm sure NM won't take that lying down.
If you gave birth to a child
the husband doesn't want,
the company
would have to pay a lot to fix it.
One other thing before
[In-yeong] Those are the brokers
that were updating me.
Apparently, he's still over there.
He worked for a trading organization
that exchanges goods internationally.
And now he's working as a tour guide,
I think.
He sells fishbowls too.
Fishbowls.
It's ridiculous.
I get the feeling
he's going to try to return here someday,
but I
don't know if he's coming back to you,
Ms. Noh.
So where are you headed?
Mm
Uh, home.
[Jeong-won] Wanna go see a movie?
It's cool here, huh?
Seo-yeon did good work, I think.
Hey, how was your dad's birthday?
Oh, the rice cakes saved it.
Actually, the guy from the rice cake place
knows you.
Who?
Apparently, he listens to all our records.
He's a fan. Never thought
I'd run into a Han Jeong-won fan.
[phone buzzing]
[In-ji] Yeah, sure.
[footsteps approaching]
[Hyeon-cheol] Oh, hi, Seo-yeon.
I'll take off.
Why are you here?
For the remodeling project?
Did you just get some good news
or something?
Thank you.
I'm free right now.
Wanna grab a quick bite?
It's okay if you're too busy.
Sorry. I would.
I just can't miss this thing.
If we did it tomorrow,
I could find an opening for you.
All right. Let's do that.
Okay, sounds good, then.
[movie monster snarling]
I'm sorry, but I got the tickets late.
This was the only option.
I actually like this genre.
[screaming]
[screaming continues]
[tense movie music playing]
[screaming continues]
[melodic acoustic guitar music playing]
Why aren't you watching?
Because it's scary.
I get freaked out at these movies.
[In-ji chuckles]
You gonna be okay?
[laughs]
[female voice] The number you have dialed
is not available. At the tone
HAN JEONG-WON
[phone line ringing]
[female voice] The number you have dialed
is not available.
[melodic acoustic guitar music continues]
You don't get scared at these movies?
Yeah, I do.
You didn't seem scared.
Well, most of the time,
I find horror movies reassuring.
It's always a bit of a relief
when you compare your life
to what's on-screen.
It's easy to see how lucky you are.
From what I've heard,
that's why people love horror.
Do you feel like
you need that relief a lot?
I guess so.
That makes two of us.
I was really glad
you asked me out tonight.
I liked the movie a lot too.
I guess you needed
to feel some relief, In-ji.
Guess so.
Do you know why?
My mother tried to kill this guy, and I'm
supposed to
meet the guy soon.
So, yeah, I think that's it.
I'm not sure
it's the right moment, but
Well, I think I'd like to sleep with you.
I wish I could be a bit more subtle.
I just wanna be honest, that's all.
[melodic piano music playing]
The reason I'm bringing it up now
is is because I'm worried
nothing will come of it if I wait.
I always think of
subtracting things from my life.
I just subtract.
Now I have a simple life,
and I just can't
can't figure out how you fit.
I dunno if I wanna sleep with you 'cause
just 'cause you're a woman,
or if it's more than that.
I'm hoping
this is easy,
and it's just because you're a woman.
I can pull you out of shadows ♪
Just hold my hand, and we'll be fine ♪
Turn around ♪
I'll consider that.
Baby, I'll be your savior ♪
What if we die? ♪
We cannot be happy
If there's nothing to lose ♪
What if we try ♪
To stay alive? ♪
Will we ever be free from the past ♪
WIFE
What do we live for? ♪
What do we live for? ♪
Mm-mm-mm ♪
So what do we live for? ♪
[music fades]
Where's the whiskey?
Take it slow, will ya?
I'll take one more.
Get it yourself.
- I poured the first one, didn't I?
- You do it!
There's supposed to be one person
in my life I have total control over.
And that's you.
So that's it? You really don't care
who I am or what I used to do before?
And why the hell would I wanna know that?
You can't control me
because I like you, and this works.
That's wrong.
I own you right now.
For a year.
[glass clatters]
[whiskey pouring]
Stop the boozing.
You look pathetic enough.
[electronic music playing]
Sir.
We ID'd the body.
Eom Tae-seong?
[man 1] That's right, Eom Tae-seong.
Thirty-six-year-old male.
History of mental illness.
Even committed for treatment.
Uh, he died from a chest wound.
He had a wound on his leg too.
[sighs]
[Do-dam sighs] Shit.
[electronic music continues]
Do I need to get a whole new tank of fish?
They're not doing so hot.
[device beeps]
[door closes]
[keypad beeping]
[door lock clicks, beeps]
[door closes]
[uneasy music playing]
[man 2] How was he related
to the owner of the trunk though?
That's the thing. I couldn't
find a connection between the two.
[sighs] So it's just larceny?
That's what it looks like right now.
[scoffs] I don't get why
the robber hops on a boat after midnight.
Why didn't he take a taxi or a bus?
What's the deal?
Maybe he was avoiding the CCTVs.
Ugh, you're the one who told me
that most of the wires were cut.
Yeah, well,
the dead guy might not have known.
Were there reports of anyone
in the area using a boat?
Engine sounds, wakes, anything?
We've been questioning lots of folks. No.
[man 2 sighs]
Oh, and, um,
our dead guy had quite the rap sheet.
Oh really? So anything recent?
Yeah, stalking.
And he was a repeat offender, actually.
His sentence was commuted at trial.
Before that, he was fined for stalking.
Even did some time.
It was his seventh offense.
Who'd he stalk?
- Huh?
- Who is it?
Come on, just spit it out already.
Han Jeong-won's wife, what's that about?
What's this name doing here?
Is it Lee Seo-yeon?
No, not his ex-wife.
The one he married after her.
And I'm pretty sure it was temporary.
Noh In-ji.
Reach out to Noh In-ji.
And get me Han Jeong-won's address too.
[electronic music playing]
[door closes]
[electronic music continues]
[music fades]
- A Heritage Lounge gathering?
- Mm-hmm.
Okay, have fun.
I only let my guard down with you.
The truth is, there's nowhere else
I can feel vulnerable.
Seriously, enjoy.
Just try not to argue.
And be careful in traffic.
See you soon.
[woman 1] I just got
this lovely mugwort tea,
and I wanted to show it off.
[Yoon-a] Mmm!
Whoa, it's so good! Don't you think?
It sure is.
I heard you had dinner at Jeong-won's.
Yes.
You're telling me you had an ex-couple
and their new spouses in the same room?
Oh shoot.
I wish you would've called us, too,
since it was a special
We just had a nice meal,
and then we called it a night.
It's so nice you're getting along.
Oh, is it true we're gonna have
another guest today?
I asked Noh In-ji to join.
I was supposed to meet her later,
but something came up,
and I had to reschedule.
You've already met,
so I figured it would be fine now.
But I can always change things
if you're uncomfortable.
No, that sounds good.
You're okay with this, I'm sure.
I mean,
you both had a meal together already.
[chuckles wryly]
[pensive music playing]
[woman 2] Excuse me.
Your guest is here, ma'am.
[woman 1] Ah, you're here.
Hello there.
Sorry about this.
They were already scheduled.
I thought it would be so nice
to have you all here.
Is that okay?
Yes.
[pensive music continues]
[woman 1] There we are.
Let's just enjoy some tea.
It's been a while, hasn't it, In-ji?
I'm Kang Yoon-a.
Of course, that's right.
[music fades]
So how are you doing?
I'm sorry I never reached out
after dinner. Is Jeong-won
Is your husband doing okay?
He is.
Your husband's been doing well too,
I take it?
Uh, were you with Jeong-won yesterday?
I was trying to reach him about
soundproofing for his recording studio.
He wasn't picking up.
He asked for a specific brand, but, uh,
the names are all similar, and I forgot.
Right. The two of us decided
to go see a movie.
I'm sure that he turned his phone off.
Uh-huh.
What kind of tea do you like, In-ji?
We're having some mugwort that I just got.
There are other options though.
Let's try that raspberry tea.
I had it on my last visit,
and it was just wonderful.
I think In-ji would love it too, right?
[pensive music resumes]
Is that okay?
Yes.
How is it?
I worried you wouldn't like it
because I recommended it.
It's great.
[music fades]
Berries are so great.
What do beets do for you?
Are they healthy?
[pensive music playing]
Yeah, I heard
beets are actually really healthy.
I drink them in the morning.
They're energizing.
Oh.
You see, I have always wondered
how anyone can stomach those things.
Why don't we have Ms. Noh join us
for the Heritage Lounge gatherings
as well, ma'am?
[woman 1] Oh, I would love that.
He's her husband, after all.
[chuckles] Of course.
I'm fine with it, you know?
If you were worried I wouldn't be.
Great.
I wasn't concerned.
So where's your car?
A public parking lot over there.
There are better spaces on the other side.
You should go there next time.
How about you, Yoon-a?
Oh, I've got another class this afternoon
because the kids are coming home later.
Well it was a pleasure to see you.
Right.
[pensive music playing]
[groans] Oh God.
I'm exhausted.
[pensive music continues]
[uneasy music playing]
- [engine roars]
- [tires squeal]
[crashing]
[panting]
[sighs]
[panting]
Are you all right?
Sorry, a cat ran right into the street.
We're gonna need to tow your car.
[music stops]
I've never been in an accident,
even when I learned to drive.
It's all right though.
We'll get your car fixed.
We should tell Jeong-won.
He'll take care of it.
I know. I'd still rather do it.
I hit the car, right?
Why don't we just
keep this between us, huh?
But why would we?
You uncomfortable with secrets?
Well, it just seems unnecessary
to me, I guess.
[laughs]
I guess you're not a fan of secrets.
Sure, okay. What is the point
of hiding stuff like this?
Aren't there some things that
are better off not being revealed at all?
Like, for example,
the fact that you and Jeong-won are
are in a temporary situation,
and that's all.
You don't seem shocked.
Well, the company just told me
that the ex-wife requested it.
That's not all though.
The thing is,
I I actually chose you, In-ji.
Did you know?
[unsettling music playing]
They told me there's absolutely no way
you guys would match,
so I thought it was over.
Your decision to take the job
made my life a lot more fun.
Is that true?
Did you really choose me, Seo-yeon?
Yes.
How could you do all this
just to hurt Jeong-won more?
[commentator on TV] from the goal kick.
Can they get it into that center forward?
Can it go quicker
than it's been going in all game?
[In-ji] How could you do all this
just to hurt Jeong-won more?
[Seo-yeon] You know the fable
of the scorpion and the frog?
After stinging the frog
that saved its life,
the scorpion said it had no choice.
It was in its nature to sting.
Most of us
only see things from our point of view.
In-ji, I think
you seem like a diligent wife.
You cook breakfast for him
and all this elaborate seafood.
I appreciate you providing like this.
I would never be able to make that work.
Have fun at least for a year.
I do wanna chasten Jeong-won,
but he should get to enjoy it.
[Seo-yeon] What do beets do for you?
Are they healthy?
[tense music playing]
The thing is, I actually chose you, In-ji,
just so you know.
[tense music swells]
- [gasps]
- [music fades]
[panting]
[breathing heavily]
[uneasy music playing]
[music fades]
You awake?
You seemed uncomfortable, so I moved you.
You still subtracting, Jeong-won?
[Jeong-won sighs]
I really don't know.
Forget about that.
It was just a bunch of nonsense.
I'll consider that.
[romantic music playing]
[both breathing heavily]
[romantic music continues]
[music fades]