Kang Hyeong-wook shared his thoughts on "The Time of Dogs and Wolves 2."
Channel A's dog solution entertainment show "The Time of Dogs and Wolves 2," which premieres on Jan. 7, released a Q&A with trainer Kang Hyeong-wook. With descendants of feral dogs exhibiting aggression and wildness beyond season 1 appearing as wolves, Kang Hyeong-wook's pre-broadcast interview previews the message that "The Time of Dogs and Wolves 2" aims to convey.
Kang Hyeong-wook defined this season as "a space for empathy before the solution," pointing out what sets "The Time of Dogs and Wolves 2" apart. He cited the gathering of guardians facing similar difficulties as the show's biggest feature and explained, "When alone, problems that were hidden and endured become issues people bring up themselves when they face other guardians," he said.
Following season 1, season 2 also promises appearances by wolves with strong aggression. Kang Hyeong-wook mentioned the guardian's psychological state as the aspect he approaches most cautiously during filming and the solution process. He said, "When strangers enter the home, the guardian's psychological state changes, and that change is transmitted directly to the dog," and added, "From before filming starts, we check the guardian's and dog's condition and focus most on helping ensure filming can take place in a state as close to normal as possible."
Kang Hyeong-wook also said, "I hope the phrase 'problematic dog' will somewhat disappear through 'The Time of Dogs and Wolves 2,'" expressing what he hopes the program will convey. "I hope an understanding arises that these are situations that need more management and understanding," he said, and emphasized, "Pet culture should move toward sharing responsibility together, not sharing the one right answer."
Finally, he added, "Rather than judging only by the dog's behavior, I hope people also look at the environment that produced that behavior and the guardian's condition," and said, "If we just broaden our view a little, I think the way we treat dogs will naturally change."
"The Time of Dogs and Wolves" goes beyond correcting dog behavior and examines guardians' attitudes and environments, the root causes of problem behavior, and successfully concluded season 1, which was presented in pilot form from Aug. to Oct.
Below is a Q&A with trainer Kang Hyeong-wook
Q. You have appeared on various dog programs. What differentiates "The Time of Dogs and Wolves"?
"The Time of Dogs and Wolves" felt most different because it is not a single family's problem but brings together guardians facing similar difficulties. When alone, problems that were hidden and endured become issues people bring up themselves when they face other guardians. So I think this program is "a space for empathy" before the "solution."
Q. Aggressive wolves continue to appear in "The Time of Dogs and Wolves." As a trainer, what do you approach most cautiously during filming and the solution process?
It takes more courage than people realize for guardians to open their homes. When strangers enter the home, the guardian's psychological state changes, and that change is transmitted directly to the dog. So from before filming, we continuously check the guardian's and dog's condition and focus most on helping ensure filming can take place in a state as close to normal as possible.
Q. What change do you hope "The Time of Dogs and Wolves 2" will bring to pet culture?
I hope the phrase "problematic dog" will somewhat disappear through "The Time of Dogs and Wolves." Instead, I hope an awareness grows that these are situations needing more management and understanding. I think pet culture should move toward sharing responsibility together, not sharing the one right answer.
Q. Through "The Time of Dogs and Wolves 2," are there aspects of the gaze or attitude toward dogs you hope will change?
Rather than judging only by the dog's behavior, I hope people also look at the environment that produced that behavior and the guardian's condition. Dogs do not create problems on their own. If we just broaden our view a little, I think the way we treat dogs will naturally change.
[Photo] Provided by Channel A
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