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Korean animation 'A Dog's Journey' reborn, directors aim for 'Korean Ghibli' status

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • The animated film 'Underdog,' originally released in 2019, is being re-released as 'A Dog's Journey' after extensive editing and a 4K remastering.
  • The film's co-directors, Oh Sung-yoon and Lee Chun-baek, collaborated with Myung Films to refine the narrative and shorten the runtime, addressing the original's poor box office performance.
  • The directors aim to create uniquely Korean animated films, drawing inspiration from Studio Ghibli but focusing on Korean stories and aesthetics, and are currently working on new projects.

The animated film 'Underdog,' lauded by critics upon its 2019 release but commercially unsuccessful, is making a comeback as 'A Dog's Journey.' This relaunch features a 4K remastering and significant editorial changes, including a reduced runtime from 102 to 93 minutes. The original film, which explored the lives of abandoned dogs, was a highly anticipated follow-up from the team behind 'Leafie, a Hen into the Wild,' the highest-grossing Korean animation to date.

Myung Films suggested we try again, saying the score was too low for the film's quality. After failing at the box office, I suffered from an illness for several years, so I was happy to hear that.

— Oh Sung-yoonThe co-director of 'A Dog's Journey' (formerly 'Underdog') discussed the film's relaunch and the support from Myung Films.

Co-directors Oh Sung-yoon and Lee Chun-baek, who experienced considerable hardship after 'Underdog's' failure, found renewed hope through a collaboration with Myung Films. The production company, known for its success in live-action films, proposed a relaunch and played a crucial role in refining the narrative. "Myung Films suggested we try again, saying the score was too low for the film's quality," explained director Oh. "After failing at the box office, I suffered from an illness for several years, so I was happy to hear that."

The directors and Myung Films undertook substantial revisions, including the removal of scenes depicting the dogs hunting and eating a goral, which were deemed too intense or perhaps not aligned with audience expectations for a family film. "It's not easy to cut scenes you've put your heart into," said director Lee, "but looking back, we realize our initial ambition might have been excessive."

It's not easy to cut scenes you've put your heart into, but looking back, we realize our initial ambition might have been excessive.

— Lee Chun-baekThe co-director reflected on the extensive editing process undertaken for the film's relaunch.

'A Dog's Journey' portrays dogs not just as cute pets but as independent beings with their own instincts and vitality, reflecting on Korean companion culture and societal specifics. The animation's visual style, featuring Korean landscapes rendered in a soft, East Asian ink-wash aesthetic, distinguishes it from international productions. Director Bong Joon-ho has praised the film's unique color palette and its emotionally resonant, Korean-centric story. The directors continue to pursue their dream of establishing a Korean equivalent to Studio Ghibli, fostering a system that allows for consistent creative output and developing uniquely Korean animated narratives.

The unique color palette is beautiful, and the story, set against a Korean background, resonates deeply.

— Bong Joon-hoDirector Bong Joon-ho praised the film's aesthetic and narrative qualities.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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