Program Note

The Worst Gift for the Best Director

*Barking Dogs Never Bite* remains the most memorable experience of my career as a music director. Earlier this year, director Bong Joon-ho won several Oscars including Best Picture. Exactly 20 years ago, he was just beginning his journey as a filmmaker. For me, his debut feature *Barking Dogs Never Bite* is both the happiest and the most bittersweet memory. For the first time, I genuinely enjoyed working on film music without the usual creative agony.

Back in 2000, I was juggling multiple projects. By the time I met Bong, I was already worn out. I also wasn’t sure if my lyrical and linear musical style would match the unique tone of his film. Honestly, I didn’t have the energy to take on something new. The film called for music that wouldn’t impose a uniform emotional tone—jazz felt like the answer. As a lifelong jazz enthusiast, I invited jazz musicians into the studio and had them improvise freely.

Jazz naturally avoids fixed centers, which allowed it to coexist with Bong’s detailed visual storytelling. However, the music turned out to be one reason for the film’s poor box office performance—audiences found the jazz distracting. And yet, I received a special jury prize at an international film festival for that very score. In other words, the music was recognized as experimental rather than commercial. To this day, I feel a mix of gratitude and guilt toward Bong Joon-ho.
(CHO Sung-woo)

Director

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  • Bong Joon-ho
  • Bong Joon-ho has solidified his position as one of Korea’s most acclaimed filmmakers with just six feature films: *Barking Dogs Never Bite* (2000), *Memories of Murder* (2003), *The Host* (2006), *Mother* (2009), *Snowpiercer* (2013), and the Academy Award-winning *Parasite* (2020).