Watch Barking Dogs Never Bite

Barking Dogs Never Bite is a 2000 South Korean comedy-drama directed by Bong Joon-ho. The film revolves around the life of an unemployed academic, Yun-ju, who is struggling to survive in the city of Seoul. He is constantly annoyed by the barking of a dog in his apartment complex, and one day, he decides to take matters into his own hands by attempting to kill the dog.

Bae Doona plays the role of Hyun-nam, a recent graduate who is struggling to find a job. She lives in the same apartment complex as Yun-ju, and she has a particularly close relationship with the dog that Yun-ju is trying to kill. Sung-Jae Lee plays the role of Park, Hyun-nam's ex-boyfriend who is a dedicated animal rights activist. He becomes obsessed with finding the person responsible for the disappearance of the dog.

The film explores themes of urban alienation, moral ambiguity, and the struggle for existence in modern-day Korea. The director successfully captures the chaotic environment of the city, where people are so absorbed in their own lives that they are indifferent to the plights of others around them.

The main character Yun-ju is a symbol of the frustration felt by many young South Koreans who are overeducated and underemployed. He is intelligent but lacks the basic skills necessary to succeed in the workforce. He becomes increasingly desperate as his situation worsens, and he resorts to violent behavior in an attempt to regain control.

Hyun-nam, on the other hand, represents the idealistic youth who are struggling to find their place in society. She is kind and caring, and she is deeply devoted to the dog that Yun-ju is trying to kill. Her relationship with the dog is a symbol of her empathy and compassion, and she becomes a beacon of hope in an otherwise bleak world.

The film is infused with subtle humor, which serves to alleviate the tension and darkness of the plot. The supporting characters are all quirky and memorable, including a janitor who is obsessed with catching the 'culprit' responsible for the dog's disappearance and a sausages vendor who is always looking for new business opportunities.

The cinematography of the film is stunning, with the director making full use of the urban landscape to create a vivid and engaging visual experience. The colors are vibrant, and the camera angles provide a unique perspective on the characters and their surroundings.

The soundtrack of the film is also noteworthy, with a mix of classical music and contemporary tunes adding to the overall ambiance of the movie. The director skillfully integrates the sound and music to create an immersive and enjoyable viewing experience.

In conclusion, Barking Dogs Never Bite is a must-watch film for fans of comedy-drama and Korean cinema in general. The film features excellent performances by the lead actors, a rich and complex storyline, and brilliant direction and cinematography. It is a poignant and thought-provoking film that will stay with viewers long after they have finished watching it.

Barking Dogs Never Bite is a 2000 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 66.