“A Good Day to Be a Dog” Stars Shared Fun Anecdotes About Their Series

In Viu’s ongoing original A Good Day to Be a Dog, a little peck on Han Hae Na’s lips is enough and everything it takes to turn her into a canine creature. It is impossible for her to be in any budding relationship, too, as her reality is far from normal. She is faced with a curse from her ancestors, carrying it with her until she stumbles upon Jin Seo Won, the man who is supposed to save her from the malevolent hex. 

Headlined by K-drama bigwig Cha Eun Woo (Jin Seo Won) and breakthrough star Park Gyu Young (Han Hae Na), the series brings to us a charming tale of two characters who met at an opportune moment, but will be dealing with an impossible issue. Directed by Kim Dae Woong, the webtoon-based show AGDTBAD premiered on the streaming platform last October 11, 2023, leaving the audiences amused and its stars grateful for the support.

When asked what her initial reaction is when she learned that she will lead the series A Good Day to Be a Dog, Park Gyu Young, 30, replied: “It was great, and as Cha Eun Woo is an actor who thinks carefully and meticulously about every detail, it motivated me to be more passionate about filming as well.” 

Sure, Cha Eun Woo, 26, is bewitching the audiences once again as he breezes through the latest television offering. Indeed one of the most handsome men in K-dramaland, the K-pop idol and actor is portraying an intriguing charmer of a character named Jin Seo Won. 

Alongside him in the new drama is Gyu Young, who is just as driven as he is when it comes to work. “I'm grateful that I can work alongside actress Park Gyu Young, and I believe we can show a different chemistry this time compared to back then,” Cha Eun Woo told Metro.Style. 

In 2018, the two stars first shared the screen together when they starred in the music video of Urban Zakapa’s “You’re the Reason.” The MV, which shows a couple secretly dating in the workplace, is Cha Eun Woo and Park Gyu Young’s debut project as a pair. 

Another promising actor who graces the show with his great acting abilities is Lee Hyun Woo,30. He embodies Lee Bo Kyum, a History educator and is Han Hae Na and Jin Seo Won’s fellow teacher. On the topic of filming the series, he told Metro.Style, “The atmosphere on set was great, and we all helped and cared for each other while enjoying the filming.”

“Both Cha Eun Woo and Park Gyu Young surprised me with their acting skills and immersion in the scenes during the filming, so I trusted them and was able to express what I wanted with confidence while having a happy time filming,” he added.

Breakthrough actress Gyu Young, meanwhile, mentioned that as she was surrounded with such talented individuals, she was inspired to be better at her craft. “Everyone on set was around the same age, so the atmosphere was really lively and friendly.” 

She also certainly appreciated the presence of actor Yoon Hyun Soo—portraying the role of Choi Yul—who did a really fantastic job in filling the set’s atmosphere with his cheerful attitude. “I think these aspects will also be reflected well in the work, and that makes me excited,” Gyu Young shared. 

ASTRO’s Eun Woo, on the other hand, was overjoyed with how the cast and crew of A Good Day to Be a Dog connected with each other, expressing his overall satisfaction. “I learned that working with peers was a lot of fun, and we had a great time together, thanks to the playful atmosphere on set,” he said in and exclusive interview with Metro. 

Since Cha Eun Woo has also starred in an array of school series in the past, he is pleased to be back in the same familiar setting. Bringing into being his role as a rather cold yet charismatic Mathematics teacher with a trauma, Eun Woo made a comment on his character.

“I love Math, and because my character in the drama is a Math teacher, I wanted to portray the role with more excitement and depth,” he said, making sense of why he loved his latest stint. “The character follows principles, so I focused on that personality trait while acting.”

Starring Park Gyu Young, Cha Eun Woo, and Lee Hyun Woo, A Good Day to Be a Dog revolves around the riveting tale of a cursed woman, Han Hae Na, who completely turns into a dog when she kisses a man. A Korean language teacher, she later meets Math instructor Jin Seo Won. “Haena is much brighter and more spirited than I am. So, while acting, I received a lot of energy from her, which made me feel more cheerful,” Park Gyu Young told us when asked about how similar or different she is from her character. 

Seo Won is dealing with a traumatic experience that developed his fear of dogs. He is believed to be the one who can overthrow Hae Na’s jinx, although joining forces at first and working together looks like tough work for the clashing characters. 

Park Gyu Young showcased her expertise in a string of K-series most notably It's Okay To Not Be Okay, Sweet Home, Dali & Cocky Prince, and Celebrity. Cha Eun Woo, meanwhile, starred in Gangnam Beauty, Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung, True Beauty, and Island. Finally, Lee Hyun Woo, first started as a child star and was cast in To The Beautiful You, Moorim School: Saga of the Brave, The Liar and His Lover, and Money Heist: Korea - Joint Economic Area.

Scroll down to read the cast's Q&A conversation with Viu Philippines:

Are you personally fond of dogs or afraid of them?

Park Gyu Young: I don’t have a pet dog, but I like dogs.

Lee Hyun Woo: I love them a lot. I have two dogs, a poodle and a beagle, and I raise them with my family.

With so many K-dramas to choose from and watch nowadays, please share the reasons why people should watch "A Good Day to Be a Dog"?

Cha Eun Woo: Personally, I also like dogs, and I chose this unique and intriguing subject because it's interesting that when you kiss, you turn into a dog. I believe that this unique and fresh subject is the charm of A Good Day to Be a Dog.

PGY: The director, staff, and actors I worked with made each day of shooting enjoyable. As a result, I believe the story, as well as the characters, are filled with bright and energetic energy. This is a title that can provide positive energy, so I hope you have high expectations and show a lot of love for it.

LHW: Our drama is truly a lovely one. It's enjoyable and will make you feel happy while watching. The on-set atmosphere was so cheerful, and I believe that it has translated well into the show. I recommend watching our drama to end your day on a happy note.

What was your most memorable moment while filming this series?

CEW: I remember a scene with the line, "I wouldn't be scared if it were you," which is an important moment for Seo Won and Hae Na. It's a heartfelt scene where they confirm each other's feelings, and it's a memorable moment because of Seo Won's sincerity in that scene as well.

PGY: For a scene where actor Cha Eun Woo had to kiss with the dog, he applied dog snack to his mouth before shooting. It was a memorable moment because not only me but also all the staff had to hold back laughter while shooting.

LHW: I believe that the scene where Bo Kyum and Seo Won sit in front of the camping car, having a drink and talking, was a particularly memorable moment. The situation, the space, and the emotions were just perfect, and it felt very comfortable. Also, while acting alongside Cha Eun Woo, I felt the power of his acting, and that scene has left a lasting impression on me.

What is the greatest challenge of shooting this drama and while playing your character?

CEW: It wasn't necessarily difficult, but there was a moment when I had to act like I was scared and trembling while looking at the dog. However, the dog I was filming with was so cute that I was a bit taken aback.

PGY: I tried my best to portray the bright and spirited energies unique to Haena, as depicted in the original webtoon. Thanks to that, while acting, ‘Park Gyu Young’ received a lot of comfort and support from ‘Han Hae Na.’ I was able to brighten up a lot just like Hae Na.  

LHW: Lee Bo Kyum may seem bright and cheerful, but there are many things hidden behind that appearance. He's a character with a deep backstory, rather than a simple reversal character. I put a lot of thought into how viewers watching the drama can understand and empathize with Lee Bo Kyum's unique pain.

How did you prepare for your character?

CEW: It seems like we discussed and created the scene one by one with the director, the writer, and the fellow actors to capture the transformation of my character who has a completely opposite personality to Hae Na.

PGY: For the sake of syncing with the character from the webtoon, I tried a new look with short brown hair. Hae Na is a character with much brighter energy and spiritedness than I have, so I put in the effort to bring a positive vibe to the role.

LHW: I thought it would be great if the character Lee Bo Kyum had a stark contrast between the early part when he concealed his true identity as a mountain god and the later part after his true identity was revealed. So, in the beginning, I tried to show a very friendly and affectionate side, and in the later part, I made efforts to highlight the differences by portraying a colder and more subtle atmosphere.

Tell us a little bit about "A Good Day to Be a Dog" and what convinced you to take on the project?

CEW: A Good Day to Be a Dog is a fantasy romance with an unpredictable twist where a woman is cursed to turn into a dog when she kisses, and the only person who can break the curse is a man who is terrified of dogs. The unique and interesting storyline of the drama is what led me to choose this project.

PGY: The storyline of a person turning into a dog after a kiss, and Haena's narrative, were quite interesting. It intrigued me because it's a story about someone with a trauma related to dogs and the concept of a person turning into a dog, and the script was full of cute elements and positive energy that made me feel good.

LHW: A Good Day to Be a Dog is a fantasy-romance drama about a woman cursed to turn into a dog when kissed and a man who can lift the curse but is afraid of dogs. The unique concept and, above all, the character Lee Bo Kyum, who has various facets, fascinated me, and I decided to participate. Meeting the director and discussing the project made me eager to work together.

Lead photos from ETnews and MovieBloc