Chapter 64
Chapter 64
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Mountain of Treats
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“What’s going on?”
Jeong Chan-young, the cinematographer, had been peering down at Lee Jun’s phone when his eyes suddenly widened.
“Huh!”
Meow meow.
Nyaa nyaa.
As Director Jeong stared intently at the video filled only with the occasional cries of cats, everyone’s curiosity was piqued.
“What is it? Cats playing in Evergreen Park?”
“Oh, probably.”
“Yeah, they love playing there.”
“Makes sense. We’ll get some good shots of them playing in the park, then.”
At the staff’s comments, the lighting director sighed in relief and walked over to where Lee Jun and Director Jeong were standing.
“But why are you looking at it so seriously? Let me see.”
He grumbled at Director Jeong, who showed no sign of sharing, then craned his neck to peek at the phone. The lighting director jolted back in shock and shouted.
“Gasp! What is this?”
“What’s going on?”
This time, nearby staff pushed through to see.
By then, the video had already ended.
“D-Director, please play it once more.”
Director Jeong pleaded with Lee Jun, his face full of longing.
“Sure.”
Lee Jun simply handed over the phone.
The lighting director and several nearby staff watched as the video replayed.
“W-Where is this?”
“The beach, right?”
“It’s not edited, is it?”
“There are park cats in it, so it must be composited? But whoever did it is a pro.”
The staff were stunned at first but quickly realized it couldn’t be real and chimed in.
“Who said it’s composited?”
Director Jeong, who had been glued to the phone screen until now, asked in a low voice.
Thinking it was a compliment, one staff member replied brightly.
“Me.”
He even let out a little giggle.
Director Jeong took a deep breath as he glared at him.
Part of him wanted to snap, “I’ll gouge those eyes out right now,” but with a guest present, he swallowed the urge and said quietly.
“Don’t you dare go around saying you work under me, got it?”
“Huh?”
“You call this composited? Huh?”
“Can’t you even tell the difference between seaside sunlight and city sunlight?”
The lighting director chimed in.
“N-No, it’s not?”
“Yeah, you idiot!”
“S-So these guys really filmed this at the beach?”
“No way.”
The staff added their two cents again.
“Exactly.”
Director Jeong let out a long sigh and turned to Lee Jun.
“Director, no matter how I look at it, this is the East Sea. How is this possible? Did you really take all these cats there? These are the park cats, right?”
“Yes, that’s right. As expected from a director—you nailed it right away.”
“Did you film this video, Director?”
It had such striking visuals that it didn’t seem like amateur work.
Of course, the subjects in it were too fantastical to be real.
“No way. I couldn’t film something like that. My friend Kwak Su-ho did it.”
What Lee Jun was showing was the video Kwak Su-ho had sent last night, saying it would go up on Monday.
*He finally escaped editing hell and wanted to grab drinks.*
But when Lee Jun mentioned today’s shoot and turned him down, Kwak Su-ho threw a fit.
*I calmed him down with some fried chicken and beer delivery, but I should buy him a drink soon.*
Having sorted out his thoughts on Kwak Su-ho, Lee Jun nodded.
“He said it’s uploading tomorrow, so I figured it was okay to show you.”
“Really? This is going up on Kwak Su-ho’s channel?”
“Yeah, it’s part of a beach series—several videos coming.”
“Wow!”
“Amazing.”
“Oh my god.”
The sudden outburst made Gray and Shadow meow irritably.
“Ah, sorry, guys.”
The studio finally quieted down.
Director Jeong asked Lee Jun about the situation.
“You’ll see when you watch it later. Anyway, yes, it’s the East Sea, and these are Gray, Shadow, and the park cats.”
As he spoke, Lee Jun gave a brief explanation.
“Impressive. So you have all the footage from back then?”
“Kwak Su-ho probably has it. And as I mentioned earlier, as long as it’s not dangerous, you can direct them however—these guys can handle it.”
Lee Jun added with a smile.
“They’re ready to throw themselves into anything for their comrades. Oh, and check this out.”
To broaden Director Jeong’s imagination, Lee Jun showed a clip of the cats playing with sea animals.
This was another 15-second trailer Kwak Su-ho had made.
Gray and Shadow hugging a seal that couldn’t hold its head up because of a plastic ring around its neck, looking heartbroken.
The seal smiling brightly once the ring was removed, and the cats beaming even wider with joy.
“Gasp! What’s this one?”
“You’ll find out later. But there’s stuff like this too.”
“This is firing up my creative juices.”
The excited Director Jeong turned to Head of Department Gong and continued.
“Head Gong, you’ve done something incredible. This CF is going to be one of the highlights of my career. Haha!”
“What did I do? It’s all thanks to Team Leader Park.”
But Director Jeong, lost in his visions, didn’t hear Head Gong.
“I see.”
Director Jeong muttered to himself, scribbled on blank paper, and paced around busily.
Lee Jun watched him, and Head Gong looked apologetic.
“We shouldn’t keep them waiting... Sorry. The director’s in his own world.”
“No, it’s fine. He seems inspired. I don’t mind waiting—we have no schedule today anyway.”
“Shall we head to the waiting room, then?”
“Sure.”
Head Gong, still apologetic, led Lee Jun and the cats to the waiting room.
That’s when it happened.
Director Jeong, who had been scribbling furiously, shouted as Lee Jun’s group moved.
“Stay on set! It’ll be better!”
He hurried over and continued.
“Let’s shoot the original taste test as planned today, then schedule another day for the new stuff. That okay with you, Director?”
Director Jeong gave Lee Jun a pleading look.
“Hold on. Let me ask them.”
Lee Jun addressed the cats on his shoulders.
“Guys, you okay coming back to this strange place? They’re promising tons of treats, of course.”
[I’ll go meow!]
[If there’s lots, I’ll come.]
Lee Jun relayed the cats’ words to the director.
“Really?”
“Yes. But you have to give them treats and food—no empty promises. Animals don’t get lip service.”
“Of course. We’ll provide them.”
Head Gong answered from the side, then spoke to the cats too.
“Sis will give you this many of your favorite treats.”
[Thanks meow.]
[Thanks.]
The cats leaped from Lee Jun’s side to Head Gong’s shoulders and rubbed against her face.
“Wow, Head, you’re so Haenguni.”
“For real! I want Gray to jump on me.”
“I want Shadow!”
“I want both.”
Lee Jun translated for the cats, and Gray replied simply.
[Line up meow!]
***
Thirty minutes later, the cats entered the set.
Before them were massive tubs overflowing with treats.
Each tub was the size of a household bathtub—plenty big for cats.
Painted in orange, red, yellow, and blue, each tub was piled high with treats in matching colored pouches.
The aroma from the roomful of treats wafted straight to the cats’ noses.
Twitch twitch.
Their fancy whiskers quivered.
Then their pink noses twitched.
[So much yummy smell meow.]
[Irresistible aroma.]
The cats sniffed delicately, savoring the scent as they advanced slowly.
They reached the blue tub first.
[Tasty meow!]
Gray recalled the treat from the blue pouch he’d tried at Meongmeong Animal Hospital and licked his lips.
[Vet bro said eat what you want.]
[He did meow.]
Hop. Gray leaped onto the tub.
Crash.
As the treats avalanched down, Gray grabbed one in his mouth and trotted leisurely atop the collapsing pile, like running on a cat wheel with all four paws.
Matching the collapse speed, he flicked treats outward with his front paws—flick, flick.
Nimble as fishing in water.
Gray’s golden eyes sparkled.
[Fun meow!]
Once a heap of fished treats piled up outside, Gray hopped down without a second glance.
He held his head high, striding proudly to his spoils and sitting beside them.
Then he grabbed one treat in his mouth.
Crunch.
The crisp, lively sound echoed through the studio.
Crunch crunch.
Now from Shadow’s mouth.
The cats chewed with half-closed eyes.
Crunch, crunch crunch.
After the cheerful sounds faded, Gray licked his lips with his pink tongue.
[Tasty meow!]
[Delicious again.]
Both cats meowed in unison, then inhaled deeply at the treat mountain once more.
A satisfied gesture after devouring something too good.
Flick.
Gray leaped up.
Looked like diving back in, but no—he pawed the pile, launching a treat into the air.
Whoosh.
Shadow jumped and caught the airborne treat in his mouth.
Just like a dog in frisbee, leaping high for the flying disc.
Soft.
Shadow landed silently and set the treat down.
“Shadow, catch it with your paws.”
[Got it, Vet Bro.]
Shadow acknowledged Lee Jun, caught Gray’s next toss with both front paws, and landed lightly on his hind legs.
The staff were moved by the fluid, waterfall-smooth motion and couldn’t stay still.
Clap clap clap.
They lightly clapped their fists together.
Applause they wanted to give, but muted to avoid startling the cats—a thoughtful gesture.
Director Choi clenched his fists and murmured low.
“Perfect! That’s it!”
He immediately asked the camera operator.
“Got every bit?”
“Yes, of course.”
The operator grinned ear to ear.
“Good. All cameras rolling this time. Observation cams too?”
“Yes!”
As the thrilled Director Choi directed the staff, the cats returned dragging sacks nearly as big as themselves.
[I’ll open it meow.]
[I’ll fill it.]
Gray pinned the sack opening with his hind paws and pulled it open with his front ones.
Shadow shoved treats in pawful by pawful.
Way faster than picking them up one by one.
Soon the two sacks were full, and Gray meowed.
[Vet Bro, tie these meow.]
“Got it.”
Lee Jun tied them, and the cats raised their front paws in triumph.
[Yahoo! Got food for the crew meow!]
[Heh, finally those guys get to eat this.]
“Want more?”
[Not ours to take meow.]
[This is enough.]
The cats knew exactly what was theirs and didn’t get greedy.
[Over there meow.]
[Let’s go.]
They ignored the red tub entirely, passing it without a glance.
Their swift dismissal screamed dislike.
Next stop: the yellow tub.
Gray hopped up.
Shadow hopped up too.
Both atop the yellow treat hill at once.
[Y-Yummy smell meow.]
[W-Want to eat.]
Even the usually chill Shadow buried his nose in excitement.
They munched right there, no thought of coming down.
Crunch.
Crisp.
The hill collapsed under their weight, but the cats stayed put, chewing away.
Eventually, they were buried in treats.
Tufts of fur and shifting piles gave away their positions.
Still, the munching sounds rang out cheerfully.
Crunch,
Crisp.
From the mics around their necks.
Unlike before, after downing five treats each, they crawled out clumsily.
[Too tasty meow. Take lots meow.]
[Obviously—wanna give tons to the minions.]
[Yeah meow. Stock up meow. For Jamongi too meow. Elder Ttangkongi Bro would like some?]
[He would.]
Eager to share with their dog pals, the cats hunted the yellow tub for ages.
[But where’s the best one meow?]
[Smells good... Sniff!]
Shadow, who’d once navigated by smell alone, closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.
*Where’s that scent from? That way?*
He sifted the aromas through his nose.
After a moment, his eyes flashed.
[There.]
Shadow dashed off.
He left the room, bounded to the next, and pawed at the door.
[Open the door.]
[Yummy smell from here meow!]
Gray followed, pawing too.
The staff groaned in adoration.
“S-So cute. What do we do with those fluffy paws!”
“Wanna pet them. How are they that adorable?”
Head Gong, following, asked Lee Jun.
“Director, they really love that one, right?”
“Yes, it was their favorite so far.”
Team Leader Park smirked meaningfully.
“Heh, you can look forward to it.”
“We spruced it up special on your advice, Team Leader Park. But I’m not sure it’ll top what we just saw.”
Gray and Shadow’s antics so far were beyond Director Jeong’s wildest dreams.
*They’ll show something even greater, huh.*
Director Jeong watched them expectantly.
“Alright, open the door.”
He signaled the staff.
Unlike the previous room, this door looked entirely different—from the exterior onward.
The staff pressed the bell beside the large door.