Barking Dogs Never Bite is a 2000 South Korean dark comedy written and directed by Bong Joon-ho. The film stars Lee Sung-jae as the main protagonist named Yun-ju, a part-time college lecturer who is frustrated with his job and his life in general. One day, he becomes annoyed by the constant barking of a dog in his apartment complex and decides to take drastic action to silence the animal.
Yun-ju's first attempt to silence the dog involves kidnapping it and keeping it captive in his apartment. However, this plan goes awry when his wife finds out and demands that he release the dog. Yun-ju ends up releasing the animal, but the experience has left him with a newfound admiration for the courage and resilience of the dog.
Meanwhile, a young woman named Hyun-nam (played by Bae Doona) becomes obsessed with finding the missing dog and sets out on a mission to track it down. As she investigates the disappearance, she forms an unlikely friendship with Yun-ju and the two embark on a quirky and often comical journey of self-discovery and redemption.
Barking Dogs Never Bite is a clever and entertaining satire that tackles themes of social class, urban alienation, and animal cruelty in a unique and engaging way. The film was critically acclaimed upon its release and helped establish Bong Joon-ho as one of the most innovative and daring filmmakers of his generation.