The debut film of director Bong Joon Ho, who is now a household name in the global film industry, was not that spectacular. Released in early 2000, and attracting approximately 57,000 viewers, Barking Dogs Never Bite was appreciated by a small circle of enthusiasts at the time. This comedy is about Yoon-ju, a part-time university male lecturer, and Hyun-nam, a female employee at an apartment management office, who are searching for a missing dog in an apartment complex. It was regarded as a strange film, which was neither a romantic comedy, nor a mystery, unlike what audiences of the time were used to. The dark humor and atypical plot twists that left viewers wondering what was going on after some laughter was baffling to viewers, who had not adapted to the new century’s films. Surely, things like sprinkling pollen from the top of an apartment seem to have gone a bit too far. On the other hand, Yoon-ju’s act of taking out his stress on the dog might be seen as crossing the line from today’s perspective. Clearly exploring Yoon-ju’s vain desire to become middle-class and giving hope to the new generation, Hyun-nam, who is the opposite, Barking Dogs Never Bite may have arrived a little too early. The last scene of Hyun-nam heading to the mountain with her friend still resonates. (MOON Seok)