Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Animal World Forever's Big Break
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KBC Broadcasting Station, ‘Animal World Forever’ production office.
“Everything’s good. All of it sounds good, but here’s the thing—these stories we’ve got so far? They’ve all been covered on ‘Animal World’ already.”
“B-but they focused on rural cats over there, right? This one’s a bit different. And the story’s so heartbreaking.”
PD Park Ju-hwan let out a deep sigh at Writer Yeom’s words.
“Writer Yeom, is there any story here that isn’t heartbreaking? They’re all pitiful. All of them!”
“That’s exactly why I’m saying this.”
“I get it, but don’t you think this one’s too similar to the story they aired on ‘Animal World’ three weeks ago last month? Am I the only one seeing that?”
“It is similar, but isn’t that okay? Honestly, it got a great response back then.”
“It did well, yeah.”
“See? Viewers will love this one too.”
“Animal World.”
PD Park Ju-hwan shouted the words at Han Writer’s remark.
“If ‘Animal World’ airs this, viewers will see it as a follow-up episode. But if we do it? They’ll think we’re copying them. The viewer forums will explode.”
‘Animal World’ was the leading animal program in the country.
The latecomer ‘Animal World Forever’ had started out with big ambitions, but it was getting flak for all animal stories feeling the same.
Did that mean viewers ignored it?
Not at all.
Animal lovers still wanted to watch any show featuring animals, even if they were similar.
That’s how ‘Animal World Forever’ had easily carved out a spot riding on the coattails of ‘Animal World’s’ established audience.
But it wasn’t earning good reviews.
‘Animal World’s’ knockoff.
That’s how people saw ‘Animal World Forever’. Some viewers even mistook it for a segment of ‘Animal World’.
It was disheartening for the production team pouring their hearts into the show day and night.
“Anyway, this won’t cut it. Don’t we have something fresher, better, more touching? Ideally, something with a positive impact!”
The idea meeting that started at 9 a.m. was dragging on past 7 p.m.
Countless stories had been tossed around, but none satisfied PD Park.
They all felt too samey.
As PD Park skimmed through the ideas pitched so far with a sigh, a few writers exchanged glances.
The writers conversed with their eyes, and then Writer Yeom spoke up.
“PD-nim, can we take a food break? I’m starving, and my brain’s not working.”
“Yeah, my blood sugar’s crashed, and my head’s frozen. Let’s grab something to eat. Please? There’s that new place nearby that’s supposed to be amazing. We could go there…”
“Fine, just order something.”
They’d suggested going out, but…
Writer Yeom swallowed a sigh and replied.
“…Okay.”
At her response, the junior writer pulled up a delivery app.
As everyone called out their orders to the junior writer, PD Park’s phone rang.
It was Kim Eun-ji, the reporter he’d been exchanging contacts with since the Evergreen Park story.
“Oh, hey, long time no talk. Reporter Kim.”
The Evergreen Park segment had pulled strong ratings last time, so PD Park’s voice brightened.
-Hi, PD Park. I’ve got a tip I wanted to pass along.
“A tip?”
-Yeah. You mentioned interest in animal abuse stories.
Kim Eun-ji gave PD Park a quick rundown of Aji’s case.
The moment he heard it, PD Park’s eyes lit up.
“Hang on, I’m coming right over.”
***
“You really flew here.”
Kim Eun-ji greeted PD Park with a smile.
The station to Meongmeong Animal Hospital wasn’t too far, but twenty minutes? Not even close.
And this was rush hour.
“I hitched a ride on a scooter.”
“You didn’t have to come so fast…”
“No, no. You were waiting—I had to hurry.”
This was the animal abuse story he’d been hoping for.
That alone made it worth rushing over, but hearing the tipster’s name? PD Park inwardly cheered.
Lee Jun, the star among pet owners after transforming Evergreen Park.
He’d done a few newspaper interviews, but never appeared on TV once.
If he could just book this guy for his show…
PD Park had raced here to snag Lee Jun before ‘Animal World’ caught wind.
‘So which one’s Director Lee Jun?’
PD Park spotted two men in scrubs.
One was a clean-cut handsome type, the other a burly bandit lookalike.
Either would work.
The good-looking vet would shine on camera and win over viewers; the rugged one would have his own rough charm.
That build? The abuser must’ve been shaking in their boots.
Either way, they’d generate buzz—then Kim Eun-ji spoke up.
“This is Director Lee Jun. The fearless one who called the cops the second he saw Aji.”
“Hello. I’m veterinarian Lee Jun.”
As Lee Jun greeted him, PD Park’s eyes sparkled.
‘Whoa, nice voice.’
A smooth baritone, gentle eyes, handsome face to boot.
PD Park could practically see the ratings climbing.
Lee Jun introduced Go Gi-jin, Han Na-hyuk, and Jang So-ra.
As greetings were exchanged, PD Park’s smile widened.
Lee Jun alone guaranteed ratings, and now two more vets with big personalities?
‘Is this our show’s big break?’
PD Park eagerly started hearing the group out on the incident.
Once Lee Jun began, PD Park was hooked.
“You could tell the dog was emaciated from the exam, but how’d you know it was beaten? Black dogs don’t show bruises easily.”
With years in animal TV, PD Park had knowledge rivaling an expert. He tilted his head.
“The expression.”
“The expression?”
“Aji looked so depressed.”
“Ah, your observation skills are something else.”
PD Park nodded, thinking anyone who loved animals might pick up on that.
As the story went on, PD Park was stunned to hear about the alley CCTV catching the abuse.
“How on earth did you figure that out?”
“Aji’s body was covered in old scars, but there were fresh ones too. Blood was still trickling—like it’d just happened. Plus scratches on the neck.”
“Ah, so you figured it was dragged here.”
“Yeah. If a dog resists coming to the hospital, animal lovers carry or coax them. That guy? Beat Aji and dragged him.”
“Impressive. Great instincts. You’d make a hell of a detective.”
“That’s not a bad idea.”
“Haha, seriously. Animals call you to crime scenes, and you spot clues only they know. It’d work.”
PD Park laughed heartily, meaning it as praise, but Lee Jun took it literally.
‘If animals witnessed it, yeah, it’s possible.’
Lee Jun thought it might happen someday.
He pitched his ideas to PD Park.
“Love it. More than love it. Viewers go nuts for dogs and cats together. Healing on top? Perfect.”
PD Park shot up and bowed to Lee Jun.
Gratitude poured out for choosing his show over ‘Animal World’.
“Thank you for giving this gem to ‘Animal World Forever’.”
“I hope my wish comes true through this.”
Lee Jun wanted the broadcast to reduce abused animals’ suffering and bar abusers from owning pets forever.
“Of course. Your wish is mine. The law’s slow, but our show’s right there. We’ll make viewers never forget that abuser.”
***
The next day, cameras were set up all over Meongmeong Animal Hospital.
“Heh heh heh, me on TV. Big Bro, thanks to you, I’m makin’ it big.”
Go Gi-jin, who’d texted everyone he knew about the shoot yesterday, couldn’t stop grinning.
“Making it big over something like this?”
“Makin’ it big. My old man’s thrilled—says it’s glory for the family. PD-nim, when’s it air? He wants the date to hang a banner out front.”
“Isn’t that overkill?”
“Hahaha, means he’s proud, right? When’s it air, PD-nim?”
“No fixed date yet. Probably next week. Is your dad a vet too, Mr. Go?”
“Treats large animals.”
“Oh! Where’s his clinic?”
PD Park’s eyes gleamed as he asked.
“Hongseong. Mostly cows.”
Go Gi-jin puffed up with pride, and PD Park filed it away.
‘What’s going on here? Lee Jun, generational vets, and now rumors of Korea’s top rehab center opening?’
Material for days—PD Park was buzzing.
Lee Jun felt the same.
‘After this airs, with all the reruns, tons of people will recognize that guy.’
He hoped Kim I-seok would never own another animal.
And he’d voice that hope in the interview.
Across from Lee Jun, prepping the interview, sat popular actress Gong Jeong-ah.
Famous for avoiding non-acting appearances.
Why was she here? Simple.
She’d been a vocal animal welfare advocate for years.
It started three years ago on a Thailand film shoot.
She had to ride an elephant.
If it’d been one day, fine—but a week with the same one. That’s when she saw it whipped.
Hooks dug into its flesh—she witnessed it up close.
From then on, Gong Jeong-ah spoke out for animal welfare.
She turned down other shows but appeared on ‘Animal World Forever’ or ‘Animal World’ if her schedule allowed.
PD Park had called her yesterday, landing her here today.
Meanwhile.
‘Finally, I’ll see Gray and Shadow.’
A fan of Kwak Su-ho’s videos once, Gong Jeong-ah adored the park cats.
Especially Gray and Shadow.
Naturally, she was grateful to Lee Jun for caring for them and the park cats.
With that unspoken fondness Lee Jun didn’t know about, Gong Jeong-ah began the interview.
“Viewers at home already know Gray and Shadow. Who hasn’t seen the park cats’ butt dance? I watch it two or three times a day.”
She figured B-roll of the park cats would play with her line.
“Right here is the famous Director Lee Jun. Hello, Director.”
“Hello. I’m veterinarian Lee Jun.”
A brief intro on Lee Jun played, and Gong Jeong-ah continued.
“I wish we were here for another heartwarming story like before, but sadly, no.”
Her face filled with regret.
That alone hinted at the episode.
“Director, tell us what happened.”
“First, take a look at this.”
Lee Jun pulled up Aji’s footage on the monitor. Gong Jeong-ah’s face darkened.
Then came yesterday’s events.
She looked heartbroken at Lee Jun’s account, furious at Kim I-seok beating Aji.
When Gray and Shadow attacked Kim I-seok, she cheered louder than anyone there yesterday.
‘She really gets it.’
Aji’s story would anger people anyway, but through her eyes? Even more so.
Exactly what Lee Jun wanted.
He hoped viewers would hate abusers and rage against them.
“The real issue is how common these tragedies are under the radar. Hidden in homes. Right now, even.”
“So heartbreaking. Speechless animals just taking the beatings.”
Gong Jeong-ah paused, looked up at the ceiling, then continued.
“Sorry. Thinking of those kids… Anyway, Aji was Haenguni to catch your eye. Such a relief.”
“Relief, yeah. But five years of hell? Heartbreaking.”
“…Me too. How scared and suffering that little one must’ve been?”
Gong Jeong-ah sighed softly and asked carefully.
“How’s Aji doing?”
“In treatment. Hospitalized now—want to see?”
“Yes.”
Lee Jun and Gong Jeong-ah turned to the production equipment.
Monitors linked to cameras around the hospital—one showed the ward.
There sat Gray, Shadow, and Aji, heads together, chatting.
To Kim Eun-ji’s ears, just meows, whines, and barks.
But to Lee Jun’s? Crystal clear.