[Limelight] Unexpected Joy in Tracking and Living with a Pet Dog

'Dog Days' Yoo Hae-jin as Min-sang who dislikes dogs
Realistic portrayal of new human relationships through pets
"A precious connection made by Gyeoul, a grateful thing"

"What is something that the animal hospital director has but Minsang does not?" "The smell of the head?" In the movie 'Dog Days,' Minsang (Yoo Hae-jin) desperately needs Minseo's (Yoon Yeo-jeong) help. She is a world-renowned architect who will bring strength to the resort project they are preparing. To win her favor, he sets out to find Wanda, Minseo's lost pet dog. Unable to refuse Jinyoung's (Kim Seo-hyung) plea?who runs the animal hospital?he also temporarily takes in Chajangnim, a pet dog abandoned in the parking lot. Amid unexpected pursuit and cohabitation, the aversion and avoidance toward dogs disappear as if they never existed. Instead, joy fills the air as the answer to Minseo's question becomes clear: love.

The concept of love is very sentimental and ambiguous. Applying it to dogs risks anthropomorphizing them, treating dogs not as dogs but as humans. However, Clive D. L. Wynne, an authority in animal behavior science, argues that this is a perfectly natural response. In his book 'How Dogs Love Us,' he emphasizes, "Recognizing the affectionate nature of dogs is the only way to truly understand them." He adds, "Ignoring dogs' desire for love is as unethical as denying their need for a healthy diet and exercise."

Dogs' love is the cornerstone of an emotional bond formed with humans over more than 14,000 years. Humans have a responsibility to recognize its importance. Behavior must change in light of evidence proving dogs' capabilities. Dogs deserve better treatment than they currently receive. Even if one denies this, the relationship between humans and dogs will not change. Humans suffer ongoing trauma when losing important attachment figures. Dogs do not. They are much more flexible in forming and ending relationships. They can form new bonds within minutes. Even stray dogs quickly become friendly with kind people?just as Chajangnim quickly developed a close bond with Minsang.

Actor Yoo Hae-jin was able to experience true love through his pet dog Winter, who crossed the rainbow bridge. "Sometimes it seemed like he had the cognitive ability to understand humans," he recalled. "When I was depressed or tired, he quietly came over to comfort me. He would gently rest his hindquarters on my leg and keep looking at my face with concern. Conversely, when something good happened and I was smiling, he would run around joyfully as if it were his own happiness. It was as if he knew my heart exactly. I was grateful for the much comfort and encouragement he gave me."

- Playing Minsang must have reminded you a lot of Winter.

"There is a scene where the pet dog is euthanized. I couldn't watch it well. Winter, who was with me until the end, kept coming to mind... I didn't know saying goodbye to a pet would be so hard. I cried a lot. The pain lasted about three years."

- Such a precious experience must have helped you empathize in your acting about dogs.

"There were many scenes I could relate to overall. I felt longing while acting. Most of the audience will feel the same. Almost no one dislikes dogs. Of course, there are people like Minsang. But even they probably didn't dislike dogs from childhood. I think they just forgot the times they loved them while going through a harsh life."

- Exactly, Minsang is such a character.

"My childhood experience is reflected in it. I raised a dog named 'Jjong-i' in elementary school. One day, after coming back from school, the dog was nowhere to be found. I think the adults sold it. It was a huge mental shock. I even came to dislike adults. This setting was not in the script. I added it because I thought everyone might have had such an experience."

- The characters in 'Dog Days' share the commonality of forming new human relationships through their pet dogs.

"I don't usually like omnibus films, but this is why I decided to appear. I liked the natural flow of strangers connecting. I am grateful to the dog, the medium. I felt this many times while raising Winter. When I traveled or went on shoots, acquaintances took care of him for me. Out of gratitude, I treated them to dinner, and our relationship grew stronger. You could say Winter created those connections."

- You must have shared the happiness that dogs bring with many people.

"My cousin really disliked dogs. He even avoided petting them. I just accepted it, but after his son grew up and left home, his life seemed monotonous. I thought it would be nice if the house had some vitality, so I gave him a dog as a gift. He named it 'Lucky.' I joked that since I did well with 'Lucky' (total audience 6,975,290), he should get some energy from it (laughs). Now he has become a devoted dog owner who can't live without Lucky. He didn't expect to like it this much. Every time we meet, he thanks me."

- There was also a scene filmed at a dog shelter in Daejeon.

"I felt bad throughout the acting. Anyone would. Most dogs had one leg disabled or were sick. Some were curled up in a corner, trembling continuously. I thought, 'What trauma must they have experienced to be like this?' It broke my heart. Many probably went through euthanasia procedures. If you are going to lead them to such a future, you shouldn't raise them. I hope people prepare their hearts firmly before adopting a pet dog."