On the Oct. 19 episode of SBS' "My Little Old Boy," viewers watched the model-actor part ways with his beloved dog, Belle.
News had recently broken that Belle had crossed the rainbow bridge, and the broadcast shared Bae’s final farewell.
Growing up largely on his own, Bae considered Belle his family. After a sudden illness, he devoted nearly two years to Belle’s rehabilitation, and the pup eventually regained strength.
Just when it seemed they could finally breathe again, Belle passed unexpectedly at a rehabilitation center. After getting the call, Bae rushed over, cradled Belle’s lifeless body and broke down in tears.
“Stay a little longer,” he pleaded. “You worked so hard ― rest now. Dad is sorry.”
Before the funeral, he took Belle on one last loop past the grassy lawn and the pool Belle loved, and stopped to say goodbye to friends.
Kapai, a dog who’d been close to Belle since puppy days, sat in front of Belle and began to cry ― a moment that gutted viewers. Bae, who had been holding back, began to weep again.
On the way to the funeral home, Bae admitted he’d never let himself imagine parting. “If I thought about it, it was unbearable. We finally got through the hard part, the weather’s beautiful…” he said, lamenting that their time ran out.
Bae had watched Belle’s final moments over a video call and kept calling Belle’s name even though he couldn’t be there. A staffer at the rehab center comforted him: “Belle left hearing Dad’s voice ― Belle was happy.”
Later, Bae said, “I’ve never cried like that in my life. It felt like my chest was ripping and burning,” while finding some peace in knowing Belle was no longer in pain.
In his last goodbye, he whispered, “I’m sorry. I’ll live well. Thank you. I love you. Go rest. Don’t be in pain. Thank you for coming to me. Dad loves you so much ― so much,” grieving the loss of his only family.
Before heading into the cremation, he gently touched the leg that had hurt and stroked Belle’s face several times, then sobbed as he watched Belle go into the chamber.
“What if it’s too hot? You’ll be lonely in there. You’ll be scared in there. Dad is right here,” he cried.
When the cremation ended and Belle returned to him in a small box, he wept again: “How did you get so small?” Finally, hugging Belle close, he said, “Let’s go home. Rest easy now. No more pain,” offering one last farewell.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Hyo-jung)