If your front trunk will still not release there are a couple of things you can do. I had my cable snap (but mine is a 2000 and I think 02 has an electric switch). I put in a new cable and swaged on new ends and it has been holding up for a long time.
If you take off the right wheel and the fender liner there is an emergency front trunk release - I re-routed mine to behind the front tow hook in case I ever need it again.
Here is a thread with my experience and it links to another thread with pictures and instructions for the emergency front trunk release.
Manual release for front trunk very hard on 2000S, where to look to fix?
Welcome!
Steve