Barking Dogs Never Bite 2001

In this deeply moving slice of life, we follow Ko Yun-ju (Hie-bong Byeon), an unemployed academic, and his expectant wife Eun-sil (not specified), as they navigate the complexities of their relationship within a vast apartment complex. Yun-ju’s quest for a university professorship mirrors the turbulence of his connection with Eun-sil, all while he grapples with the persistent noise from a neighbor’s dog—though he assumes it to be a Shih Tzu.

As the story unfolds, he discovers that the true source of the disturbance is actually an elderly resident’s Min Pin. This revelation comes after a fruitless search for the noisy Shih Tzu that has taken up residence in his own apartment. Meanwhile, Park Hyun-nam (Sung-Jae Lee), a lazy bookkeeper and custodian, dreams of fame akin to a TV bank teller who bravely foiled a robbery, inspiring her friend Yoon Jang-mi (not specified).

Things take a turn when a young girl enlists help to locate her missing Shih Tzu, which has gone mute following a throat operation. Clueless about the actual cause of the noise in his apartment, Yun-ju unwittingly takes the lost dog into his basement and locks it within a cabinet. As the events progress, Yun-ju becomes embroiled in a chaotic scheme of deceit and misadventure.

One tense night, he sneaks into the basement to liberate the Shih Tzu, only to be thwarted by an unsuspecting janitor who, with sinister intentions, retrieves the lifeless canine - preparing to consume it. The following day, in an impulsive act of revenge, Yun-ju seizes the Min Pin and tosses it off the roof, prompting a determined Hyun-nam to chase after him, intent on fulfilling her good Samaritan urges and achieving her dream of recognition.

A shocking turn occurs when Hyun-nam, in her pursuit of justice, accidentally collides with an opening door, rendering her unconscious. Later, as she recuperates in the hospital, she shares the tragic news about the old woman’s Min Pin’s fate with Yun-ju. Meanwhile, the guilt-ridden janitor hurriedly buries the Min Pin, only to dig it up later for stew, which is swiftly snatched away by a resourceful homeless person residing in the basement.

As this intricate tale unfolds, the boundaries between right and wrong blur, leaving each character to wrestle with their identity amidst life’s unpredictable nature. In Yun-ju’s world, pressure mounts as his desperation for a professorial position escalates. At the same time, Eun-sil unexpectedly surprises him with a Toy Poodle she has named Baby, stirring feelings of jealousy and neglect within Yun-ju as he feels relegated to the role of a mere servant rather than a loving husband.

The simmering tension between them rises as Yun-ju becomes increasingly distracted and, in his frustration, loses Baby in the park. This leads to a confrontation with Eun-sil, resulting in an emotional outburst where he accuses her of being wasteful, unaware that she had spent a good portion of her severance pay on the dog with the intention of supporting him and his academic pursuits. Stunned by the truth of her sacrifice, Yun-ju commits to finding Baby, distributing flyers and seeking the help of Hyun-nam. Yet, their diligent efforts appear futile as the little pup seems to have vanished without a trace.

Meanwhile, Hyun-nam faces her own set of struggles at work, having received a reprimand for not focusing enough on her tasks. Unbeknownst to her, a life-changing moment awaits. While trying to collect overdue payment from the estate of a deceased owner of a rooftop radish patch, she is astonished to find Baby, now unwittingly involved with a homeless individual who has developed a rather unusual appetite.

In an act of heroism, Hyun-nam rescues Baby, triggering a series of events that culminate in the capture of the would-be canine cannibal and the safe return of the beloved pup to Yun-ju. As Hyun-nam reflects on these events, she feels disheartened by the lack of recognition for her bravery in the media, which compels her to reassess her sense of purpose in an indifferent world.

In this vulnerable state, she encounters Yun-ju, who has now become a professor but feels unfulfilled in his role. Their paths diverge once again as Hyun-nam sets out on a long-awaited hiking adventure with Jang-mi, leaving behind the sorrows and challenges of the previous chapters to forge a fresh start ahead.