Yoo Hae-jin "My dog Winter buried in my heart, reminded me of 'Dog Days'"

Movie 'Dog Days' Production Report
A Kind Movie Without Villains... Ready for Lunar New Year Theaters

"It is a warm story without any cruel villains. I hope the Korean film breeze also spreads to 'Dog Days'." (Yoo Hae-jin)

Will the warm story created by people connected through their companion dogs move the hearts of audiences during the Lunar New Year holiday? The film 'Dog Days,' which aims to restore the crushed humanity, will be released in theaters on the 7th of next month. The actors unanimously asked for anticipation for this 'kind film.' The movie depicts new relationships and changes that begin as various characters connected to companion dogs form unexpected bonds, portrayed with a warm and pleasant perspective.

Actor Yoo Hae-jin (left) and Youn Yuh-jung
Photo by Yonhap News

Director Kim Deok-min, who directed 'Dog Days,' stated at the production briefing held on the morning of the 10th at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, "It is a story about forming relationships and growing through small daily moments."

Actress Youn Yuh-jung plays a strong-willed world-renowned architect, and Yoo Hae-jin portrays a neat and organized single man. Other cast members include Kim Yoon-jin, Jung Sung-hwa, Kim Seo-hyung, Daniel Henney, Lee Hyun-woo, and Tang Jun-sang. JK Film, which attracted double-digit million viewers with director Yoon Je-kyun's films 'Haeundae' (2009) and 'Ode to My Father' (2014), and produced 'The Himalayas' (2015) and 'Confidential Assignment' 1 & 2 (2017 & 2022), produced this film. This is the directorial debut of Kim Deok-min, who was an assistant director on the films 'Keys to the Heart' (2018) and 'Hero' (2022).

Director Kim said, "I worked as an assistant director for 19 years, and in my 20th year, director Yoon Je-kyun offered me the chance to direct 'Dog Days' just before wrapping up 'Hero.' The shoot was on Christmas Eve at the Hapcheon set, and it felt like receiving the biggest Christmas gift of my life." He added, "I really hoped Youn Yuh-jung would appear, and I am sincerely grateful she agreed."

In response, Youn Yuh-jung said, "I met Director Kim during our assistant director days, and we got along like comrades on set. I promised that I would definitely appear when he made his directorial debut," showing her support. Regarding filming with companion dogs, she humorously said, "Other dogs understood commands, but Wanda, who acted with me, was the only one who didn’t listen."

There were many scenes filmed with dogs such as Wanda, Chief, and Sting. Director Kim began by saying, "Safety was the absolute priority." He continued, "There was no separate directing for the animals. All I could do was wait. We were not pressed for time. Although there were many urgent moments, I trusted the friends (dogs) to perform and waited patiently. At some point, they acted, and we edited those moments." He also explained the filming process, "Trainers were always present on set. They wore green jumpsuits and ran alongside all day."

Director Kim Deok-min (from the left), actors Tang Jun-sang, Lee Hyun-woo, Kim Seo-hyung, Jung Sung-hwa, Yoon Chae-na, Kim Yoon-jin, Youn Yuh-jung, and Yoo Hae-jin are giving greetings at the production presentation of the movie "Dog Days" held on the 10th at CGV Yongsan in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Yoo Hae-jin’s companion dog, Winter, who also appeared with him on the variety show 'Three Meals a Day,' crossed the rainbow bridge last year. He said that filming 'Dog Days' reminded him of Winter. "It is winter now, and I really like winter. That’s why I named him 'Winter.' I thought a lot about Winter during filming. When a pet dies and crosses the rainbow bridge, I wondered if it would be like this, but it lasts a long time. It really feels like burying it in my heart. I still think about him all the time."

He added, "There was a neighborhood man who often brought a Welsh Corgi that looked almost exactly like Winter to the animal hospital where we filmed. He came deliberately every day. That made me think of Winter even more," he shared. Kim Seo-hyung, who plays a veterinarian, said, "Chief (the dog) was similar in size to my actual pet. The film touches on topics like adoption and euthanasia, and I prepared by asking about related matters at the animal hospital."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.