Veteran Actor Lee Soon-jae Embarks on a Mysterious Journey in New Drama 'Dog Talk'

Veteran actor Lee Soon-jae has found himself embroiled in controversy, leading to a reclusive life in a remote location.

The first episode of KBS 2TV's new Wednesday-Thursday drama 'Dog Talk' (written by Byun Sook-kyung, directed by Kim Yoo-jin, produced by IMTV), which aired last night at 9:50 PM, recorded a viewership rating of 4.2% nationwide, according to Nielsen Korea.

In the episode, Lee Soon-jae, a national actor, heads to Geoje Island and discovers his extraordinary ability to communicate with dogs, setting off a series of bizarre events.

'Dog Talk' opens with the mysterious death of a content creator near a lighthouse on the tranquil Geoje Island, setting the stage for a suspenseful mystery drama. Lee Soon-jae's character, who casually converses with a dog named Sophie at the scene, confidently tells the police, "This is a murder case," sparking curiosity and capturing the audience's attention from the very first scene.

The episode soon reveals why the 'national actor' Lee Soon-jae had to flee to Geoje Island. After being cast in a project with a younger idol-turned-actor, Hyun-ta (played by Nam Yoon-soo), Lee Soon-jae's constant nagging and disrespect led to his removal from the project at Hyun-ta's request. An incident where Lee Soon-jae was caught urinating on Hyun-ta's car further fueled rumors of discord and labeled him a 'problematic actor,' forcing him into a reclusive life.

Staying in a house overlooking the sea in Geoje, Lee Soon-jae encounters a retired police dog named Sophie and is shocked to realize he can understand her. This newfound ability raises questions about its origin and how it will help solve upcoming mysteries.

The drama introduces a complex web of characters, adding to the intrigue. Lee Soon-jae and Kim Yong-gun, once close colleagues, become estranged after their children, Lee Ki-dong (played by Park Sung-woong) and Kim Se-kyung (played by Lee Soo-kyung), break off their engagement. The two start an uneasy cohabitation on Geoje Island. Joining them are writer Ye Soo-jung, lighting director Im Chae-moo, and makeup director Song Ok-sook, forming the 'senior five.' Meanwhile, Lee Ki-dong, who disappeared on his wedding day, is seen spying on police officer Hong Cho-won (played by Yeon-woo), adding to the suspense.

The first episode also features a tense sequence where the senior five hold a party in a greenhouse. Sophie, sensing danger, alerts Lee Soon-jae to a gas leak. Just as Im Chae-moo manipulates the circuit breaker, the greenhouse explodes, but Kim Yong-gun, Ye Soo-jung, and Song Ok-sook narrowly escape. This incident leads Lee Soon-jae to trust Sophie.

In another subplot, Kim Yong-gun, Ye Soo-jung, Im Chae-moo, and Song Ok-sook visit a cafe and clash with a content creator named Jjumi (played by Kim Ah-young). Known for her critical live broadcasts, Jjumi targets Kim Yong-gun, prompting him to confront her. The next day, Jjumi is found dead in her car, which had been filled with charcoal fumes. Sophie provides a crucial clue, revealing that a man had murdered Jjumi and staged it as a suicide, leaving viewers eager to uncover the truth.

The second episode of KBS 2TV's 'Dog Talk' airs tonight at 9:50 PM.

Kim Se-ah, TenAsia Reporter haesmik@tenasia.co.kr