Tears Over Face of Dog in Shelter for 3 Years After Being Adopted, Returned

A rescue dog living in South Korea has been waiting for her happy ending for over three years after her first adopter was forced to give her up.

Mongsil, a 3.5-year-old Korean Jindo mix, has spent nearly her entire life waiting for a forever home. She was found on a mountainside in South Korea alongside her mother and littermates. Two of the four puppies went missing, but a family brought in Mongsil, her sister and their mother. For a moment, it seemed like each of them would be safe.

However, Isabella from The Big 3 Rescue told Newsweek that the adopter needed to relocate due to a personal situation and, because she already owned five rescue cats, she could no longer care for the dogs. The rescued group stepped up to take in the three canines, with Mongsil’s mother and sister being adopted shortly after.

The rescue organization shared Mongsil’s story in a March 13 TikTok video under the account @thebig3rescuedogs, showing her resting on the floor with her spirits low. Nearly three years later, and Mongsil is still waiting for an adopter. She has since left the animal shelter and has been living with a foster family in South Korea for about a year, Isabella said, but the goal is to find her a permanent home in the United States.

“While she is doing wonderfully, we are eager to move her into her forever home before she grows too attached,” Isabella added. “Jindos are notoriously loyal dogs.”

The Korean Jindo, a breed developed on an island off South Korea, is known for being loyal, watchful, and highly intelligent, often forming deep bonds with their people, according to the American Kennel Club. The breed also typically has strong hunting instincts and may not always be comfortable around other animals.

But Mongsil is different.

She lives with several cats and gets along with them beautifully, never showing any signs of aggression toward small animals, something Isabella described as “rare” for her breed.

The Big 3 Rescue team expected Mongsil to be adopted quickly, given that she is gentle, potty-trained and knows basic commands, but Isabella said there has been no adoption interest.

“This girl continues to be overlooked, despite having such a sweet and calm personality,” she added.

Those hoping to learn about Mongsil and other rescue dogs can visit The Big 3 Rescue website for more information about adoption. While there are adoption fees, they go toward transporting the dogs to the U.S. or the United Kingdom.

Heartbroken over the dog’s face, TikTok users flooded the comment section in hopes of boosting the post’s visibility and connecting Mongsil with her future family.

“Come on TikTok, do your magic and find a loving home for this sweet soul Mongsil,” wrote one viewer.

Another added: “Poor baby. All the way from South Korea, no less. Seems so dejected.”

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Newsweek's reporters and editors used Martyn, our Al assistant, to help produce this story. Learn more about Martyn.

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This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 12:44 PM.