The Trunk

A Novel

By: Kim Ryeo-ryeong

Narrated by: Greta Jung

NOW A NETFLIX TV SERIES

The English language debut from bestselling Korean author Kim Ryeo-ryeong – an edgy, arresting drama about a secret marriage service for Korea’s wealthy elite, and one unlikely couple in the thick of it all.

Meet Noh Inji: almost thirty years old, with five wedding rings and counting, she's never once been in love.

When Inji first accepted a job at Wedding & Life, the popular matchmaking service that’s taken Korea by a storm, she never imagined her role would be with NM, their secret marriage division that rents out “husbands” and “wives” to their wealthiest clientele. Just like a real marriage, Inji's assignments involve a wedding, some sex and a bit of housework, all tailored exactly to the client’s desires and length of time before they go their separate ways – no legal battles, no fights, no emotional baggage.

After several marriages, Inji has become an old hand. She certainly isn’t interested in finding real love, despite everyone trying to convince her otherwise (her brazen neighbor Granny, her flirtatious best friend Shi-jeong, and her failed blind date, Tae-seong, who won’t take no for an answer).

Then one of Inji's old husbands, a mysterious high profile music producer, requests her back for another year. Over the course of their marriage, the secrets of Inji’s past begin to unravel – as well as the dark, sinister underbelly of NM’s management team, who will stop at nothing to preserve their reputation… and their clients…

The Drama is Better Than the Book

I watched this Korean drama on Netflix, and it was very good to me. In fact, I have watched it 2 times to pick up things I may have missed the first time. So, you can imagine my disappointment in listening to the book. I realized the drama was "based" on this book, but I would have to say "loosely" based on this book. In fact, the only similarities are the NM Corporation. I read a review of this book in which the reviewer said the book was much better than the drama, but I have to respectfully disagree. This novel leaves me confused in the end. A lot of people said they did not like the ending of the K drama. The novel just stopped with no ending at all.

Addictingly depressing alternate future romance

Wow!! I ate this book up in 2 days, I just couldn’t stop listening. Not totally satisfied with the ending but at the same time, I really enjoyed it! I loved the way Inji compared all these complicated relationships across all the different types of love and sex we experience and how it affects our connections to each other. Loved the insight into the different dynamics and expressions modern Korean women use and experience (when other women throw them back at each other). Can’t wait to watch the drama and see how it’s different!

Cultural differences

This is a Korean story translated by Australians listen to by an American. Very interesting.
I am saddened by the loneliness expressed. I think it is the curse of modern times. No longer worried about survival, we seem to have lost our most meaningful connections.

Nothing

Realized how a good director can make a bad story good . Came from the Netflix show and I must say this has been very disappointing