Actors Gong Yoo, right, and Seo Hyun-jin, second from right, stand with other cast members of the Netflix mystery romance "The Trunk" at The Raum in Gangnam District, Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Gong Yoo returns to the small screen after three years with the Netflix mystery melodrama "The Trunk." The much-anticipated series unravels the secrets of a clandestine marriage service, surfaced by the discovery of a floating trunk.

Gong, co-starring with rom-com queen Seo Hyun-jin, portrays Han Jeong-won, a lonely music producer scarred by past heartbreak, entering into a contractual marriage as a last-ditch effort to reconnect with his ex-wife. Initially cold and distant toward his new wife, Noh In-ji (Seo), Han gradually finds himself thawing as he experiences a newfound sense of warmth and connection.

"I was drawn to the original concept (of the drama). I thought the story could be interpreted in many ways, depending on the viewer's perspective. Plus, it was a chance to work with Oh Hae-young (co-star Seo's former character), who I've always admired," Gong said explaining his decision to join the project during a press conference at The Raum in Gangnam District, Seoul, Tuesday.

This strange and precarious relationship offers a glimpse into the series' exploration of the complex emotions of characters involved in the marriage — including love, pity, salvation, obsession, desire, loneliness and emptiness — and will delve deeper into the characters' relationships.

Regarding his character, the actor said he felt an instinctive connection. "I felt an immediate sense of empathy for Jeong-won. I started with pity and ended up here. It seems like Jeong-won hasn't fully come to terms with himself," Gong said.

Director Kim Kyu-tae was "honestly a bit perplexed" when he first read the script, which is an adaptation of a novel of the same title by Kim Ryeo-ryeong.

"It was definitely very interesting, but it was also strange, fresh, novel and literary," Kim said. "'I couldn't easily grasp the psychology or relationships of the characters in the drama. I became immersed in the work of my own curiosity about what it was. Gradually, I empathized with the psychology and relationships, and it was a piece with such a unique charm."

He further explained that while "fixed-term marriage" might seem provocative, in "The Trunk," it acts as a catalyst for discovering authenticity amid falsehood. He emphasized that the story primarily revolves around a blend of mystery and romance.

"I wanted to delve deeper into the psychological mysteries rather than relying on external plot devices like a murder," the director said, expressing his hope that the audience would enjoy the emotional journey of the characters and find fulfillment in their story of redemption as he did.

C0-star Seo found her character's ambiguity to be particularly appealing.

"The script left a lot to the imagination, with long lines and plenty of blank space. I was intrigued by the idea of interpreting the character differently and seeing how others would portray her," she said.

Seo described her character as a woman who hides her true self behind a tough exterior. "She's like a hermit crab, carrying the weight of her past. Her loneliness and isolation are palpable," she said.

As the drama tackles the unconventional concept of a fixed-term marriage, it includes explicit content. Director Kim emphasized that the intimate scenes are integral to the narrative, saying, "These scenes are used to convey the characters' emotional complexities and the dynamics of their relationships. We aimed for a balanced and respectful portrayal of intimacy."

"The Trunk" will premiere on Friday on Netflix.