A Good Day to Be a Dog Cast Park Gyu-young as Han Hae-na, Cha Eun-woo as Jin Seo-won, and Lee Hyun-woo as Lee Bo-gyeom, this drama brings to life a whimsical tale of love and transformation.
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Introduction
A Good Day to Be a Dog is a 2023–2024 South Korean romantic fantasy drama that combines whimsical storytelling with heartfelt romance and emotional growth. Based on a popular webtoon of the same name, the series tells the unusual yet touching story of a woman cursed to transform into a dog whenever she kisses someone—and the man who holds the key to breaking that curse.
What truly brings this magical love story to life is its charming and talented cast. At the center are Park Gyu-young, who plays the quirky and cursed Han Hae-na, and Cha Eun-woo, who stars as Jin Seo-won, a seemingly aloof but kind-hearted teacher with a mysterious fear of dogs. Rounding out the trio is Lee Hyun-woo, who portrays Lee Bo-gyeom, a gentle and supportive character with secrets of his own.
With a refreshing plot and a strong ensemble, A Good Day to Be a Dog captures viewers’ imaginations while exploring themes of fear, healing, and connection. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the main and supporting cast members who made this unique K-drama such a fan favorite.
A Good Day to Be a Dog Cast
Park Gyu-young as Han Hae-na
Han Hae-na is a high school teacher living under a peculiar curse: whenever she kisses someone, she turns into a dog at midnight for six hours. The curse has been passed down through her family, and Hae-na has spent her life trying to avoid romantic entanglements—until an accidental kiss changes everything.
Park Gyu-young, known for her roles in Sweet Home, Dali and Cocky Prince, and Celebrity, portrays Hae-na with a perfect balance of vulnerability, humor, and charm. Her portrayal of a woman struggling with a bizarre secret while navigating her feelings makes her a relatable and endearing lead.
Cha Eun-woo as Jin Seo-won
Jin Seo-won is a reserved and somewhat emotionally distant math teacher at the same school as Hae-na. Beneath his cold exterior lies a kind-hearted man with a traumatic past—specifically, a deep fear of dogs. He becomes the key to breaking Hae-na’s curse, but emotional and magical barriers stand in the way.
Cha Eun-woo, a member of the K-pop group ASTRO and an established actor (True Beauty, My ID is Gangnam Beauty), brings his signature cool charisma to the role. His gradual emotional thawing and sweet chemistry with Park Gyu-young make him a standout in the series.
Lee Hyun-woo as Lee Bo-gyeom
Lee Bo-gyeom is the charming and enigmatic Korean history teacher who has known both Hae-na and Seo-won since college. He appears supportive and cheerful, but harbors secrets and emotional wounds of his own. His presence introduces subtle tension into the love triangle.
Lee Hyun-woo, returning to television after appearances in The Liar and His Lover and Money Heist: Korea, adds depth and mystery to Bo-gyeom. His performance strikes a beautiful balance between light-hearted moments and underlying sorrow.
Supporting Cast
Yoon Hyun-soo as Choi Yul
Choi Yul is Jin Seo-won’s cheerful and curious nephew who quickly becomes attached to Han Hae-na. His innocent nature and unconditional love for animals serve as a touching contrast to Seo-won’s fear of dogs.
Yoon Hyun-soo, known for A-Teen 2 and Racket Boys, delivers a heartwarming performance that adds charm and emotional warmth to the series.
Ryu Abel as Song Woo-taek
Song Woo-taek is Hae-na’s closest friend and confidante. She knows about Hae-na’s curse and often offers emotional support and practical advice—sometimes with a bit of sass.
Ryu Abel, a versatile actress seen in Encounter and My ID is Gangnam Beauty, brings natural comic timing and loyalty to her role, making Woo-taek a fan-favorite among secondary characters.
Cho Jin-se as Han Pan-dong
Han Pan-dong is Hae-na’s uncle, a lovable character who also shares the family’s canine curse. He offers guidance and comic relief as someone who has learned to live with his transformation.
Cho Jin-se plays this role with a warm, comedic presence, helping to explore the history of the curse with a light touch.
Kang Soo-bin as Min Ji-ah
Min Ji-ah is another teacher at the school and often interacts with both Hae-na and Seo-won. While she doesn’t play a central role in the curse plotline, her presence adds realism and variety to the school setting.
Kang Soo-bin’s grounded performance helps flesh out the world and dynamics of the school environment.
Kim Min-seok as Mr. Lee
Mr. Lee is a quirky fellow teacher and occasional source of light comedy. He helps reflect the normalcy of school life amid the fantasy elements of the story.
Not to be confused with the more famous Kim Min-seok of Descendants of the Sun fame, this supporting actor offers short but memorable appearances.
Conclusion
The charm of A Good Day to Be a Dog lies not just in its unique fantasy-romance storyline, but in the heartfelt performances of its cast. Park Gyu-young, Cha Eun-woo, and Lee Hyun-woo lead the series with captivating chemistry and emotional nuance, making the magical elements feel grounded and relatable. Their characters’ growth, vulnerabilities, and relationships pull viewers into a whimsical world filled with warmth and humor.
The supporting cast adds valuable depth and variety—whether it’s through family connections, school dynamics, or comic relief. Each character, no matter how big or small the role, plays a part in enriching the story’s themes of love, healing, and self-acceptance.
Altogether, the cast of A Good Day to Be a Dog brings the webtoon’s fantastical world to life with sincerity and charm, making it a standout in the world of Korean dramas.
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FAQs
Who plays the female lead Han Hae-na?
Park Gyu-young plays Han Hae-na, the cursed high school teacher who turns into a dog when she kisses someone. Park Gyu-young is known for her roles in Sweet Home, Dali and Cocky Prince, and Celebrity.
Who is the male lead in A Good Day to Be a Dog?
Cha Eun-woo, a member of the K-pop group ASTRO and a popular actor, plays Jin Seo-won. He’s a math teacher with a traumatic fear of dogs and becomes key to breaking Hae-na’s curse.
What is Lee Hyun-woo’s role in the drama?
Lee Hyun-woo plays Lee Bo-gyeom, a friendly and mysterious Korean history teacher with a hidden past. His character adds emotional tension and complexity to the story.
Are Cha Eun-woo and Park Gyu-young a real-life couple?
No, they are not dating in real life. However, their strong on-screen chemistry in the drama sparked a lot of fan interest and praise.
Is A Good Day to Be a Dog based on a webtoon?
Yes! The series is adapted from the webtoon A Good Day to Be a Dog by Lee Hey. The cast was praised for closely matching the webtoon characters in both appearance and personality.
Has Cha Eun-woo worked with any of the cast members before?
While Cha Eun-woo has acted in multiple dramas, A Good Day to Be a Dog is his first on-screen project with both Park Gyu-young and Lee Hyun-woo.
Who plays Choi Yul, Seo-won’s nephew?
Yoon Hyun-soo plays Choi Yul, a sweet and curious student who loves animals. His character builds a unique connection between Seo-won and Hae-na.
Are any of the cast members idols or singers?
Yes—Cha Eun-woo is a well-known idol from the K-pop group ASTRO. While most of the other cast members are actors, Eun-woo balances both music and acting careers.