A Good Day to Be a Dog

"A Good Day to Be a Dog" is a 2023 South Korean romantic fantasy series starring Park Gyu-young as Han Hae-na, a high school teacher burdened by a family curse that transforms her into a dog after her first kiss. The only way to break this spell is to receive a second kiss from the same person while in her canine form. Hae-na meticulously avoids romantic entanglements to prevent triggering the curse. One fateful night, after an unintentional kiss with her colleague Jin Seo-won, portrayed by Cha Eun-woo, Hae-na's life takes an unexpected turn. Seo-won, a mathematics teacher, harbors a deep-seated fear of dogs due to a traumatic childhood incident, making him the least likely candidate to help Hae-na lift her curse. As Hae-na endeavors to secure a second kiss from Seo-won in her dog form, she uncovers layers of his complex personality and past, leading to a deepening connection between them. Their evolving relationship is further complicated by the presence of Lee Bo-gyeom, a charming history teacher played by Lee Hyun-woo, whose own secrets intertwine with Hae-na's predicament. Directed by Kim Dae-woong, "A Good Day to Be a Dog" masterfully blends elements of fantasy, romance, and comedy, exploring themes of love, trust, and overcoming personal fears. The series captivates viewers with its unique storyline and the palpable chemistry among its lead actors, offering a heartwarming narrative that resonates with audiences.

Details

🙂 Native Title: 오늘도 사랑스럽개
🌎 Also Known As: Lovely Again Today, Oneuldo Sarangseureobgae
🎭 Genres: Comedy, Romance, Fantasy, Supernatural
🏷 Tags: Dog, Teacher Female Lead, Teacher Male Lead, Curse, Workplace Setting, Animal Transformation, Accidental Kiss, Cynophobia, Adapted From A Webtoon, Female Chases Male First
✍ Screenwriter: Baek In Ah
🎬 Director: Kim Dae Woong
🇰🇷 Country: South Korea
🎬 Episodes: 14
🗓️ Aired: Oct 11, 2023 – Jan 10, 2024
📅 Airing Days: Wednesday
📺 Original Network: MBC
⏰ Duration: 60 min. per episode
🔞 Content Rating: 15+ – Teens 15 or older

Best Scenes

First Accidental Kiss: Han Hae Na (Park Gyu Young) unintentionally kisses Jin Seo Won (Cha Eun Woo), triggering her transformation curse and setting the story in motion.
Dog Transformation Revelation: Hae Na’s secret curse is unveiled to Seo Won, leading to humorous and heartfelt moments as they navigate her nightly transformations.
Canoeing Scene: The four teachers share a charming moment canoeing, with Seo Won’s intense gaze at Hae Na adding romantic tension.
Cliffside Flashback: A Joseon-era flashback shows Seo Won defending Hae Na on a cliff, highlighting their deep historical connection.
Yellow Umbrella Scene: Seo Won dramatically opens a yellow umbrella to shield Hae Na, symbolizing his growing affection and protection.

Filming Locations

Jinju Girls’ High School: Served as Garam High School, where the main characters teach, located in Jinju, South Korea.
Cafe Pandan, Jinju: Featured as the spot where Hae Na buys a cute bear cake, offering a warm ambiance and unique pastries.
Kookmin Healing Park, Gyeongju: The picturesque setting for the canoeing scene, known for its serene environment.
Obongsan Cliff, Gyeongju: The historical cliff where the Joseon-era flashback was filmed, adding depth to the narrative.
Hangang New City Lake Park, Gimpo: The location of the yellow umbrella scene, providing a romantic backdrop.

Visual Design and Costumes

Historical Attire in Flashbacks: Authentic Joseon-era costumes enhance the depth of the characters’ past lives.
Modern Wardrobe Reflecting Personalities: Hae Na’s vibrant outfits contrast with Seo Won’s muted tones, highlighting their differing personalities.
Symbolic Props: The recurring use of a yellow umbrella symbolizes protection and budding romance.
Canine Transformation Effects: Seamless visual effects depict Hae Na’s transformation into a dog, adding a magical element.
School Setting Aesthetics: The realistic school environment, with detailed set designs, grounds the fantasy elements in reality.

Themes and Messages

Overcoming Fears: Seo Won’s journey to confront his cynophobia reflects personal growth and courage.
Breaking Family Curses: Hae Na’s quest to lift her family’s curse underscores themes of destiny and self-determination.
Unlikely Relationships: The evolving bond between Hae Na and Seo Won highlights that love can blossom in unexpected circumstances.
Past Lives and Reincarnation: Flashbacks to the Joseon era suggest themes of eternal connections and unresolved pasts.
Acceptance and Understanding: The narrative emphasizes embracing others’ flaws and secrets, fostering deeper relationships.

Interesting Facts

Webtoon Adaptation: The series is based on a popular Naver webtoon, bringing its unique storyline to a broader audience.
Lead Actors’ Reunion: Cha Eun Woo and Park Gyu Young previously collaborated in a music video, showcasing their on-screen chemistry.
Filming Challenges: Cha Eun Woo applied pet treats to his lips during scenes requiring a dog to lick him, adding authenticity to the portrayal.
Seasonal Filming Conditions: The cast filmed summer scenes during winter, using ice cubes to prevent visible breath in cold temperatures.
Cultural Landmarks Featured: Filming locations like Cheomseongdae Observatory in Gyeongju highlight South Korea’s rich heritage.

Awards

As of now, “A Good Day to Be a Dog” has not received any major awards. However, it has garnered significant attention, with lead actors Park Gyu-young and Cha Eun-woo nominated for Best Couple at the 2023 MBC Drama Awards.

Real-Life Loves on Set

As of now, there are no confirmed reports of romantic relationships developing among the cast members of “A Good Day to Be a Dog” during or after its production. While lead actors Cha Eun-woo and Park Gyu-young share notable on-screen chemistry, their interactions remain professional. Cha Eun-woo has been previously linked to co-stars like Moon Ga-young from “True Beauty,” but these speculations have not been substantiated.

Similarly, Park Gyu-young maintains privacy regarding her personal life, with no public records of relationships stemming from this drama. Therefore, it appears that no off-screen romances have emerged from the production of “A Good Day to Be a Dog.”