Chapter 98
Chapter 98
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: Vet Doctor! Hello?
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The broadcasting trio arrived at Meongmeong Animal Hospital and immediately clung to Lee Jun.
"Director Lee, please appear on the show. Pretty please?"
"Hyungnim, this feels like a golden opportunity, dontcha think? The guardians get all frustrated 'cause they can't read y'all's minds, right?"
"That's exactly it. Why not share your know-how with our viewers—no, with fellow pet parents? If even one more animal can live happily because of it, wouldn't that be wonderful?"
"Yeah, hyungnim. Go on out there and tell 'em. Show how much animals care for their guardians."
Go Gi-jin's final words shook Lee Jun.
*If we can convey how much they care for and love their guardians, maybe fewer would get abandoned?*
As Park PD said, if even one animal could find happiness because of his appearance, it would surely be worthwhile.
"So, what kind of special episode do you have in mind? Mind filling me in?"
"Th-thank you so much."
Park PD immediately launched into the details of the special for Lee Jun.
Once Park PD and Writer Yeom's briefing-like explanation of the special wrapped up, Lee Jun spoke.
"Sounds good."
"Right? This is what we're all dying to know, isn't it? What our doggos are thinking! What our kitties need! That kinda thing."
"Can't argue with that."
"Exactly. Please come on and clear up all us pet parents' burning questions, Director. And if possible, have the cuties appear too. Haha."
"Gray and Shadow do have quite the fanbase."
"Hahaha, you saw right through my ulterior motive of riding on the cuties' coattails, huh?"
Lee Jun smiled as he replied.
"But taking them all the way to the studio might not be ideal."
"Ah, yeah. You're right about that."
Park PD was disappointed but agreed unconditionally with Lee Jun's opinion.
"Instead, why not focus the cameras on them when you're filming here at the hospital?"
"Here at the hospital?"
"Yeah. It just feels more natural to film Gray, Shadow, and Sapsari in their home turf. Plus, you mentioned recruiting cases—those animals would probably be more comfortable here than in a studio."
Even if Gray and Shadow didn't mind new places, the hospital seemed better than a studio.
*The CF set had tight security, but a broadcasting station is packed with people.*
Park PD and Writer Yeom were once again impressed by Lee Jun's thoughtfulness.
"Now that you mention it, Director Lee, you're spot on."
"I hadn't even thought of that."
"That works great for us, but won't filming here disrupt your consultations?"
"If it's okay with you, how about shooting on a Sunday when the clinic's closed?"
"We're good any time."
As he answered, Park PD mentally pictured the scenes.
*Filming actual consultations beats studio chats any day.*
Writer Yeom and the junior writer chimed in beside Park PD.
"I think it's perfect. Especially since the cuties will act more natural here."
"Me too. Just seeing those three together will thrill the viewers. Remember that post? The one saying it'd be awesome to air observation cam footage of Gray, Shadow, Sapsari, and Aji."
"Yeah, the comments exploded under that one."
"Exactly. Meongmeong Animal Hospital beats the studio hands down. What if the babies get spooked by all the flashing lights and crowds?"
"True. How about this?"
Everyone turned to Park PD.
"Ahem. Film the real cases here at the hospital, and have Director Lee come to the studio to elaborate on the footage or give a lecture to viewers. Sound good?"
***
With Lee Jun's appearance confirmed, the Animal World Forever team posted an announcement on their homepage right away.
[Hello, viewers. This is the Animal World Forever production team.]
We have joyous news for you all.
Lee Jun, the vet who watches over Gray and Shadow's daily antics, will be appearing on our show.
Let's learn together how he reads animals' signals so well.
And even better news!
Haenguni Pockets fans, rejoice! Thanks to our team's tireless efforts, the Haenguni Charms duo—Gray and Shadow—will appear too. Of course, Sapsari's joining in.
We appreciate your love and support.
If you have burning questions, send them in. Lee Jun will answer. We look forward to your questions and stories.
Comments poured in the moment the post went up.
Gushing over Su-neunim's appearance, cheering at the chance to see Gray and Shadow, and endless stories about viewers' own cats and dogs.
One of those story-submitters was Yi Yu-jin.
Yi Yu-jin, owner of calico cat Molrang. Lately, she had a worry.
"Molrang, you gonna eat this? It's your favorite~."
Nyaaong. As Molrang turned away and slipped into his hiding house, Yi Yu-jin sighed.
Molrang had come home at three months old, and they'd lived together for five years. Never once had he refused food.
Churu was a daily must-have treat for him.
But starting last week, Molrang rejected Churu.
"He eats everything else fine. Why not this? Doesn't seem like he hates it, so what's the reason?"
To her, it didn't look like Molrang disliked Churu.
Even now, he was eyeing the Churu she held, swallowing hard.
"Su-neunim might know."
Yi Yu-jin headed straight to Animal World Forever's Q&A/stories corner and posted Molrang's tale.
She wasn't alone—plenty of pet parents shared similar woes.
Kim Sung-hoon was one.
"Can, dinner time. Let's eat."
Golden Retriever Can wagged his long tail lazily as he approached the bowl, stared at it intently, then looked up at Kim Sung-hoon.
Woof!
Can barked once, then flopped down and gazed at him.
Kim Sung-hoon chuckled heartily at the sight.
"Aigoo, alright, you rascal."
Moments later, Can happily devoured the heaping wet food in a fresh bowl.
Watching Can eat, Kim Sung-hoon tilted his head.
"He eats that so eagerly—appetite seems fine. Teeth hurt?"
*Maybe he hates chewing kibble now?*
"But he chews his chew toys fine, so not that. Loss of appetite?"
Even on those scorching summer days when his appetite exploded, and now in autumn?
Staring at his three-year-old retriever Can, Kim Sung-hoon pondered.
As his worry lingered, a snippet from the living room TV caught his ear perfectly.
Animal World Forever was on rerun, and the panel was buzzing about Lee Jun's upcoming appearance.
"They take questions? Perfect. Let's ask why Can's acting up."
Kim Sung-hoon wrote his question.
As stories from pet parents flooded in, the Animal World Forever writers cheered.
"So many people sent questions!"
"Our Director Lee really is super popular."
"Of course. Who hasn't wondered what their animals are saying a time or two?"
All eight writers were pet parents.
Started with just two, but working on the show turned them all into one.
They nodded vigorously, thinking of their own cuties lounging at home or craning necks waiting for them.
"Tell me about it."
Writer Yeom spoke for the group.
Sorting questions by category and selecting broadcast-worthy ones piled up in real-time, but the writers' faces beamed.
They knew better than anyone: these posts and comments were pure interest in the show they poured sweat into.
"Let's read 'em like they're our own stories."
Since the viewers' tales mirrored the writers' curiosities, they happily agreed with Writer Yeom.
"Yes."
Thus, the special's content was curated around viewer-submitted stories.
Stories selected for airtime, some even earning visits to Meongmeong Animal Hospital.
Molrang the calico and retriever Can were among them.
***
At last, the Animal World Forever special [Woof Meow, We Can Talk Too] began.
The opening scene featured Evergreen Park.
Dogs clustered together there.
As the pups barked woof-woof, arf-arf, subtitles popped up.
[Today's chow was super gross again. Hing!]
[Same here, so frustrating. I told 'em I hate it, but they gave the same treats. Can't starve...]
[Speak up. Ask for something else.]
[I did, but they don't get it!]
One dog pawed the ground thump-thump in frustration.
No sound on the dirt, but subtitles said so.
Then Ttangkongi sauntered up to the pack.
[What's y'all fussin' about?]
[Elder Brother!]
[Elder Hyung!]
The pups greeted Ttangkongi politely.
[Our humans gave us gross stuff again, and we're complainin'.]
[That so? Still, it's from your humans for you pups—might as well eat.]
[Yeah, but it's way too bland.]
[Hmm, then ya told Woof Teacher?]
As Ttangkongi turned to gaze one way, the Pomeranian griping about treats tilted his head.
[Woof Teacher?]
[Yup. Woof Teacher'll ease yer worries.]
[True dat. Wouldn't be here without Woof Teacher—starved dead otherwise.]
Kkakongi barked arf-arf and stared the same way.
Then Jamongi, playing fetch with Sapsari, perked his ears and trotted over.
[Big Bros are right. Our Woof Teacher's the best.]
Jamongi turned the same way as Ttangkongi and Kkakongi.
[Spot on. Our Benevolent Brother's the greatest.]
Sapsari joined, all pups gazing that direction where Lee Jun laughed surrounded by cats.
Bluebird Park cats joined too—over a hundred felines looking up at Lee Jun, wagging their butts.
The beloved dumchit dumchit butt dance.
"Kuh! This is prime footage!"
Park PD self-praised while monitoring the broadcast.
Viewership spiked, boards flooded with comments.
Lee Jun's relayed dog chats as subtitles felt so real, viewers raved—then exploded at his grand entrance.
Topped with cats' dumchit butt dance.
The viewer board turned into a festival.
Oblivious, the peaceful scene continued.
Cats gazed at Lee Jun fondly, rubbing against him affectionately.
Lee Jun petted heads, locking eyes one by one.
Fade out to Animal World Forever hosts.
"When will our human ever understand me?"
"Hope they do soon. So much to say..."
"Human! Please hear me out, okay?"
"Pleeease~."
"Welcome, viewers, to the cute and lovable world of animals. I'm Shin Dong-woo, your guide."
"I'm Yeo Mi-jeong."
Clap clap clap clap!
Panels and audience applauded.
Brief host intros, then the last panel.
"They said we have a special guest today, and actress Gong Jeong-ah insisted on having her here."
Wooo!
Audience roared.
Gong Jeong-ah bowed deeply to them, drawing more cheers and claps.
As applause died, Shin Dong-woo asked Gong Jeong-ah.
"I read the cue card intro, but is it true? Overhype, right? No way Gong Actress would say that about anyone."
"Our PD does lay it on thick."
Yeo Mi-jeong teased, and Gong Jeong-ah laughed as she spoke.
"True. Soon as I heard my fave and idol was appearing, I called the PD myself."
"Wow, for real?"
"Unbelievable!"
"For real. Hohoho."
Gong Jeong-ah confirmed with a smile; Shin Dong-woo grinned and took it.
"Honestly, same here. No need for more intro. This says it all."
"The one who clears pet parents' woes!"
"The one I super envy, hanging with cuties Gray and Shadow daily—so jealous!"
"It's Vet Doctor Lee Jun!"
Waaaaa!
Clap clap clap clap!
Bigger roar than Gong Jeong-ah's, studio-shaking applause welcomed Lee Jun.
For these audience pet parents, Lee Jun outshone star Gong Jeong-ah right then.
Lee Jun startled walking out.
But to audience, it was fresh and cute.
Applause swelled.
On stage, Lee Jun bowed and spoke.
"Hello, I'm veterinarian Lee Jun."
Waaaaa! Even bigger applause than before.
"Welcoming someone like me so warmly—thank you. And I'm nervous."
Audience aww-laughed at his honesty.
"Whoa! Our doc knows TV. Capturing our audience hearts right off the bat."
More laughter.
Sensing the studio relax, Shin Dong-woo smiled into the next line.
"With such a precious guest, let's dive in. Want to welcome him louder longer, but time flies—even now. So many questions, limited time."
Studio hushed at his words' end; Yeo Mi-jeong smiled and began.
"Audience seems bursting with questions for the director. Me too—can't wait what he says."
Yeo Mi-jeong approached one audience member with a mic.
"You have a pet?"
"Yes, a six-year-old poodle."
"So cute. Ever frustrated watching your pup?"
"Every day. Wonder why he barks, wanna tell him when I'm back if left alone, and..."
She trailed off; Yeo Mi-jeong asked.
"If your dog could talk, what'd you wanna hear? 'I love you'?"
"No."
She shook her head.
"If my dog could talk to me, I'd beg: tell me if you're hurting. Please."
Every pet parent wished the same.
"Same here."
As audience nodded to Yeo Mi-jeong, she smiled on.
"But problem is, I don't get what they're saying. They meow or woof at me, right?"
Thinking of her waiting cat and dog home, she smiled naturally.
Yeo Mi-jeong, smiling, asked a back-row audience the same.
"I wanna ask this: Are you happy? Happy with me?"
Studio sobered instantly.
"Everyone thinking alike, huh."
Shin Dong-woo raised his tone, but mood stayed subdued.
"They'll say yes. Definitely happy."
Lee Jun said with conviction.
All gazed hopefully: Shin Dong-woo, Yeo Mi-jeong, panels too.
"Haha, what a Vet God. One line warms our hearts right up."
"Nah, total God-Vet. Leave worries to him? Ask him direct if curious."
"Now, first client."
Hosts eyed the studio's big screen,
as meooow and Gray with Shadow appeared.
Waaaaa!
Audience cheered.
Hosts and panels lit up.
"These cuties hitting us hard—too adorable, right?"
"Gray and Shadow still so cool."
"Haha, they are."
Lee Jun chuckled, recalling the summer diet fiasco.
Next, Lee Jun in the exam room; across, Yi Yu-jin held calico Molrang with a worried face.