Animal trainer Kang Hyung-wook is absent from Dog Is Excellent, which returned with a new system. Attention is focused on how the show will lead improvements in pet culture without the irreplaceable symbol Kang Hyung-wook.
On the 1st, KBS2 held an online press conference for the new variety program Dog Is Excellent. Attendees included Lee Kyung-kyu, Young Tak, veterinarian Kim Hyun-joo, trainers Lee Woong-jong, Kwon Hyuk-pil, Yang Eun-joo, and Choi Min-hyeok.
Dog Is Excellent, which first aired in Nov. 2019 (hereinafter Dog Is Excellent), led efforts to foster a more mature pet culture by having trainer Kang Hyung-wook and Lee Kyung-kyu visit troubled dogs and provide solutions. As a result, it became a representative pet program, winning the 2020 KBS Entertainment Awards hot issue variety program award, the 2021 KBS Entertainment Awards producer special award (Kang Hyung-wook), best entertainer in the show/variety institutional sector (Jang Doyoun), the 2022 KBS Entertainment Awards entertainer of the year (Lee Kyung-kyu), and popularity award (Jang Doyoun).
However, after suffering fallout including wage arrears controversy and allegations of workplace harassment that led to trainer Kang Hyung-wook's departure, the show ended on Jul. 1, 2024, and the renewed Animals Are Excellent aired from Nov. 16 that year to Mar. 24, 2025.
KBS is unveiling an upgraded Dog Is Excellent to match the era of 15 million pet owners. This time it opens a troubled-dog academy and will begin various one-on-one customized training with homeroom trainer teachers. To that end, principal Lee Kyung-kyu, vice principal Young Tak, school nurse veterinarian Kim Hyun-joo, homeroom trainer legend trainer Lee Woong-jong, MacGyver trainer Kwon Hyuk-pil, national team trainer Yang Eun-su, and desire trainer Choi Min-hyeok have come together.
Producer Lee Tae-hyun said, "We prepared hard for a year and a half. Please watch a lot, and especially the first broadcast is on Hangeul Day, which is also the last day of the Chuseok holiday. Please watch the newly returned Dog Is Excellent." Lee Kyung-kyu said, "The Dog Is Excellent academy belongs to the viewers. If you discover any problems while raising a dog at home, enroll in our school and we will fix it neatly."
Lee Kyung-kyu, a founding figure and icon of Dog Is Excellent, serves as principal of the troubled-dog academy in the upgraded Dog Is Excellent. Young Tak will serve as vice principal and is expected to shine with his distinctive wit on the program. With his uniquely cheerful and bright energy, he will ease the tension of owners and troubled dogs, deliver some sharp criticism, and act as a mood maker; he has shown such deep affection that he even composed the theme song himself.
Newcomer Young Tak said, "First, I am so grateful and happy to be able to join a program I love so much as an MC." He said his ability to do impressions and fond memories of living with dogs were favorably received, which helped him become an MC. Young Tak added, "I don't currently raise dogs, but if I ever have the time to be with dogs, I will learn the teaching from the teachers beside me now at the scene and join viewers in learning." About his role as vice principal, he said, "I will ask questions on behalf of viewers and serve as a heater beside the principal, who is very sensitive to the cold."
Young Tak even revealed a school song he composed for Dog Is Excellent. Hearing it, Lee Kyung-kyu said, "I'm excited. My heart is pounding; I couldn't be more moved. Having a school song itself is happiness." Lee Kyung-kyu also welcomed Young Tak's joining the "Gyurain," saying, "Gyurain now has only Lee Yun-seok left. With Young Tak joining, there will be two."
Whereas in the earlier Dog Is Excellent trainer Kang Hyung-wook handled troubled dogs alone, the fully revamped Dog Is Excellent brings together various experts to present clear solutions. Lee Kyung-kyu said, "This is the first time a system with a resident veterinarian and teachers has been introduced. We will manage health for accidents that may occur during training. We will not take any money."
Trainer Lee Woong-jong said, "When I watched the broadcast, I saw trainers had the freedom to express what they wanted and took on various challenges. I thought it was a really good show. When the offer came, I wondered if an outdated trainer like me would be okay, but they said 'no' and I gladly accepted. I will firmly express what I have done with troubled dogs and learn a lot from my juniors."
Trainer Kwon Hyuk-pil, mentioning his background as an instructor for detection dogs at a national agency, said, "Pets live in a world of smell, but in cities most companion dogs are largely exposed to a visual world. I want to play a role in connecting that sense of smell and vision."
Trainer Choi Min-hyeok said he joined Dog Is Excellent because of his looks but added, "My goal and role is to turn viewers' impressions into certainty that this person really is good." Veterinarian Kim Hyun-joo said, "The causes of problem behaviors in pets are very diverse, and I want to look at them from a different perspective than the trainers. We will analyze the complex causes of problem behaviors from multiple angles."
Veterinarian Kim Hyun-joo emphasized that diversity is a strength of Dog Is Excellent, saying, "Each trainer's training and teaching methods will differ, and through the various skills each teacher has, we can educate problematic dogs from many angles."
Meanwhile, KBS2's Dog Is Excellent will premiere on the 9th at 8:30 p.m.
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