Anchovy Merchant Kim Si-hyeon of Changwon Five-Day Market, the Story of Accompanying Abandoned Dog Sunhui Every Day

"There Is No Such Thing as a Bad Dog" – The anchovy merchant father and his clingy Sunhui

An anchovy merchant father travels to various five-day markets every dawn. By his side is always his companion dog, ‘Sunhui’. Not only does he provide a dedicated spot for her on one side of his stall, but he also meticulously cares for Sunhui by providing water and snacks whenever he has a moment. Until a few years ago, he operated a famous chicken restaurant in front of a professional baseball stadium in Changwon City, but he suffered a blow when games were suspended for a while due to an accident at the stadium, which was compounded by deteriorating health, eventually leading to depression. For such a father, the market is a place that gave him the courage to live again and a precious space where he met Sunhui. However, he is often at a loss because Sunhui howls whenever the father disappears from sight even for a moment. The clingy Sunhui, who cannot live without her father, and the anchovy merchant father. Their story of meeting at the market and becoming special existences in each other's lives is revealed.

*Broadcast Date/Time: September 26, 2026 (Sat) 10 PM, EBS1

The father and Sunhui, who met at the market and roam the five-day markets together every day

Kim Si-hyeon, an anchovy merchant, travels through five-day markets in various parts of South Gyeongsang Province from the early dawn before the sun even rises. Sunhui is always by his side. Although Sunhui is quiet and waits well without barking, he says he is always concerned about her and takes time to play with her and give her snacks. When the father is too busy, the surrounding merchants take turns walking and caring for her, so she is loved by all the market merchants. The guardian used to operate a chicken restaurant in front of a professional baseball stadium in Changwon until a few years ago. Due to a fatal accident caused by falling structures at the baseball stadium, games were suspended for a while, and his shop also took a major hit. He even underwent toe amputation surgery due to diabetes complications, losing hope in life and falling into depression. The father regained his will to live while selling anchovies at the market. The reason the market is even more special to him is because of Sunhui. Last May, Si-hyeon found her abandoned in a box in a market alley. At the time, he could not turn a blind eye to people who were trying to take Sunhui for food purposes, so he adopted her, and they began traveling the market together from that day.

Sunhui's behavior, which goes beyond love to something close to obsession?!

The biggest reason Si-hyeon takes Sunhui to the market is Sunhui's separation anxiety. However, even at the market, if the guardian is not visible for even a little while, she howls so loudly that it echoes through the market! Because of Sunhui, the father always feels apologetic, wondering if he has caused trouble to the surrounding merchants. On days when he cannot go to the market with her, Sunhui, left alone at home, creates a mess by biting household items and even pulling out trash. She even howls severely without a moment's rest, desperately calling for her father. Because of this, even while staying together at the market whether it rains or snows, a corner of the guardian's heart is always uneasy. This is because of the thought, 'What if Sunhui could have grown up in a better environment, or met a better guardian?'

Then, what are Sunhui's true feelings as she roams the five-day markets with her father? Is Sunhui, who lives the market life every day, truly happy? What does the market look like through Sunhui's eyes... The story follows in EBS <There Is No Such Thing as a Bad Dog>.

The EBS <There Is No Such Thing as a Bad Dog> episode 'The anchovy merchant father and his clingy Sunhui' will be broadcast on September 26 (Sat) at 10 PM on EBS 1TV, and can be rewatched on the EBS website.

*Related photos are available on the EBS institutional website (about.ebs.co.kr)-Cyber PR Office-Highlights, on the corresponding broadcast date.

◆ At a Glance

· Issuing Organization: EBS

· Category: There Is No Such Thing as a Bad Dog

· Distribution: September 24

Source: EBS Press Release

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