I think this is also the first time I've found something within the story that ties into the title, aside from the obvious. This line in particular: 밖에 나갈 일이 없으니까 끈이 끊어져도 못 버려요 / Since I don't have to go outside, even if the rope breaks, I can't throw it away.
It alludes to someone having no meaningful attachment outside of prison, so even when they're finally released, nothing really changes. Like a dog that's been tied to a post for so long that, even when the rope is taken away, it still behaves as though it's there. Aha! Slammer dogs.
Also, Heonjae finding a family among Myeong's siblings even though bears are solitary animals. And Jingi choosing to isolate himself for their safety even though wolves are pack animals. I never gave it much thought before, but it just clicked to me why they're represented by animals of completely different species despite being biological siblings.
Damn this is so sad
For some reason, the tv program about the wolf gives me the same vibes as that old man's letter in Chapter 77. Almost like a third person narration of the characters conscience.
CH77:
"I want you to read this... when you come to, even if you forget later. You're really different from who you used to be. Yet my eyes can only see you. At first I didn't realize how I felt either. You told me to forget all about you before you got married. That you were sorry. You may have met a lot more people... but I only had eyes for you all throughout my life. That's why no matter what I go through, I'll still have eyes for you. I don't care that you can't do anything. We've both aged a lot and we'll all disappear in the end. Let me stay at least by your side at the final—no... i wish to be in the sickbed next to yours. I'm sorry if I'm being greedy."
Bear in mind that throughout this letter, panels of Heonjae and Jingi appear on screen, almost as if they're a direct allegory for the two of them.
My interpretation is that Myeongil will probably stay with Heonjae. Heonjae is already building a relationship with Myeong's sibling, and it looks like he's going to become a part of their life, while Jingi is going to remain at a distance (whether that be in prison, outside, or possibly dying) to keep them all safe from the uncle. But even within that arrangement, a part of Myeong-il probably continues to long for Jingi even though it's only to keep him company on his deathbed. With how deeply themes of death have always been tied to Jingi's character, it makes the wolf allegory in Chapter 96 feel all the more significant.
CH 96 (MTL):
"You know... there's a saying that wolves leave the pack and die alone when their time comes. That's kind of like me too... I just don't want to make my family suffer...
Don't you want to see me?
Why wouldn't I? Of course I want to see you.
Be careful out there. Younger people like you don't have the stamina~
Since I don't have to go outside, even if a rope breaks I can't throw it away. I only need what I really need, not a lot of extra stuff. Living in the mountains isn't so bad, right?"
This reads almost like a conversation between Myeongil and Jingi, especially with the text superimposed on panels of them quietly sitting together. It feels like a continuation of that narration in Chapter 77, especially in how it revolves around the same themes of separation. But this time, instead of accepting that separation and simply wishing to be by the person they love at end of their lives, it almost feels like it’s hinting at the possibility of them disappearing somewhere together.
I'm most definitely overanalyzing this. What stage of psychosis is this? lol