Seoul: Actor Gong Yoo could not pinpoint exactly why he was "instinctively drawn" to Jeong-won, his character in Netflix's Korean original series "The Trunk." But he felt a deep connection to the character's fragility and vulnerability. According to Yonhap News Agency, the actor shared during a media interview in Seoul that he sees similarities between himself and the character he portrays. "It is hard to explain, but I see similarities between us," Gong Yoo remarked. "I think there are weaknesses in me, just as there are in Jeong-won." In the limited series, which was unveiled last Friday on the streaming platform, Gong Yoo plays music producer Jeong-won, who struggles with anxiety and loneliness due to past trauma and relies on sleeping pills to rest. Jeong-won reluctantly agrees to a one-year contract marriage proposed by his former wife in an attempt to mend their strained relationship. He soon finds himself navigating an uneasy life with In-ji, who seeks to overcome the pain of her own failed marriage, which has left her with a deep aversion to the idea of marriage itself. "Jeong-won has carried the weight of a difficult past throughout his life. It is as if he stopped growing emotionally at a young age and is now unable to fully grasp the reality of his circumstances," Gong Yoo explained. The 45-year-old actor sought to convey his character's emotional dryness through "empty eyes" and a "defensive" and "hesitant" attitude toward life. It did not take long for Gong Yoo to accept the role, as he was attracted to the work, especially for its effort to "offer a new perspective on love," in addition to the character's intriguing depth and complexity. "Most love stories are, to some extent, fantasies. They portray love as something positive, bright, and almost fairytale-like. It might satisfy viewers and help them escape their daily stress," he said. "But I am drawn to the opposite, or dark, side of love -- the one people know exists but often choose not to talk about openly." "The show is not about defining w hat love is, but rather about asking viewers what they believe love is," he continued, with the underlying premise that "love has the power to change people." He added, "There is no definite answer to the question, as love takes many different forms." Making his debut as a model in 1999, Gong Yoo has steadily expanded his acting career, starring in numerous hit and critically acclaimed films, including "Train to Busan," "Kim Ji-young: Born 1982," and series such as Netflix's "The Silent Sea" and "Squid Game." He has since become one of the most sought-after actors of his generation. Despite being a veteran actor with around 23 years of experience, Gong Yoo admitted that emotionally intense scenes from past projects still have a lasting impact on him. He cited two scenes as the most challenging in "The Trunk": one in which he learns the truth about his ex-wife, and another where he opens up to In-ji, only to be pushed away by her. "I actually experienced an emotional rollercoaster, and it was physically very challenging. The scenes required a lot of energy." Noting that he inherently prefers acting in a subtle manner, toning down emotion and avoiding overacting, Gong Yoo said his restrained acting can sometimes mask the intensity of what he experiences internally. "I can't say for sure how long the lingering feelings from those scenes will last."