Chapter 57
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Kitty Sightings Everywhere
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One month since the first day of shooting for Oh, My Cat. Time flew by like the wind amid days so packed I could barely catch my breath.
Drama shoots alone would be one thing, but with album prep and events squeezed in between, it felt like I needed ten bodies to keep up.
"Huh? Kitty."
On the way back from a provincial festival stage, the van stopped at a signal. I happened to glance out the window and spotted a cat.
"Where?"
"It was right there a second ago."
Kim Ha-woon whipped his head around at my words, scanning the area before his face fell in disappointment.
"...It's gone."
"Strays aren't gonna stick around in the middle of the road."
These weren't pets out for a walk—they were street cats.
But Ha-woon wasn't giving up easy. He pressed his face right against the window, still peering down the street.
Lee Jae-ha, who'd been listening in, chuckled softly.
"Hyung, you've been spotting cats and dogs a lot lately."
"Have I?"
"Yeah."
Now that he mentioned it, it did seem that way.
Feeling a bit sheepish, I glanced back out the window. Meanwhile, Kim Ha-woon and Park Tae-hoo were grinning mischievously, teasing me.
"Is it 'cause you're playing a vet?"
"Bet Do-jun hyung's carrying cat treats in his pocket, huh?"
"Come on! Even if, would I really?"
...Hmm.
I reflexively placed my hand on my right pocket. As long as it didn't crinkle, no one would notice, right?
Lately, cats and dogs kept popping into view for some reason. Even sparrows and pigeons on the street.
Hmm, maybe not pigeons?
They fly right overhead, and I dodge without thinking.
Anyway, I'd never disliked animals, but ever since playing Lee Jung-woo, my gaze had definitely shifted.
Was it the item? During shoots, using Ho, Not Bad boosted immersion based on focus, according to the notice.
But I'm not even using items now.
Using them at times like this would burn through my coins.
A month of shooting had already guzzled a ton just on Ho, Not Bad.
Shoots happened two to four times a week. Including wait times, we were tied to set for 10 to 14 hours.
Wouldn't be so bad if I could fill two full hours of acting, but with downtime and long takes, items vanished fast.
I blew through them thinking it was just 1 coin each...
These days, I was getting worried. Is this sustainable?
Of course, coins were still piling up steadily, but even converting all that time wouldn't get me three full years.
Once I started thinking that way, even 1-coin items felt precious.
As I mulled over the math, an uncalled window popped up on its own, flashing insistently.
Cumulative Likes: 428,311 / 500,000
Ah, I get it already.
Too busy lately to check the Status Window, and now it was popping up uninvited, advertising itself nonstop.
At first, twice a day. Now, every hour or so.
Appearing out of nowhere was seriously annoying.
Can't just shut it off for good.
[When the user's cumulative Likes reach 500,000, the system will upgrade.]
It kept saying an upgrade happens at full cumulative likes. Made me curious what that even meant. Complicated feelings, for sure.
Better fill it quick and get rid of it.
Already swamped with drama and album stuff—focusing on one thing was tough enough.
This nagging distraction was driving me nuts. Once likes max out, it'll stop bugging me, right?
That's why I was heading to set on a no-shoot day.
Set photos should rack up more Likes than daily snaps.
Plus, it'd help me blend into the vibe, learn by watching others.
[Tigers die leaving their stripes behind, humans die leaving their names behind...!]
Ah! I'll handle it. Just the first verse, first verse only. Seriously messing with my head.
I waved my hand to shoo away the Status Window's nonsense.
By then, we'd arrived at the company. We naturally split into two groups as we got out.
"See ya later."
"Catch you at the dorm!"
Kim Han-soo hopped out of the passenger seat and slid into a smaller car, taking the wheel.
The car pulled away smoothly once I settled in the back. As we exited the lot, Kim Han-soo asked,
"You could rest today. Aren't you pushing too hard?"
"Schedules are light now anyway. I'm good."
"Well, I figure being on set means more to learn, so I won't stop you."
Haha, half the reason was snapping pics for Goodstar. Better keep quiet and split the difference?
The car cruised along in a warm, fuzzy atmosphere—my slight conscience sale paying off.
❤
We arrived at set, and the assistant director hurried over with a puzzled look—the moment he heard I was there.
The place was chaos with shooting in full swing.
"Hello, Assistant Director."
"Huh? Do-jun, no shoot for you today."
Before I could reply, Kim Han-soo flashed his manager smile.
"Not quite used to set yet, so he came to acclimate. Plenty to learn watching the other actors."
"Ah!"
The assistant director beamed. Clearly thought it was commendable.
Oof, conscience prickling.
He radioed the staff via headset that I was here, then said brightly,
"Make yourself at home. Tell any staff if you need anything."
"Thank you!"
"No trouble. Greet the director later—he's monitoring footage now."
The assistant director vanished back into the bustle after that.
I scanned the set carefully.
Park Min-ha and Lee Jun-hyung were by the bright lights with the PD, reviewing their takes.
No sign of other actors—probably waiting elsewhere. Prime time for pics?
Oh, that's perfect.
Spotted some intriguing equipment. That as backdrop? Instant set vibe, even squinting.
"Huh? Whoa, Do-jun?"
I pulled out my phone and crept toward it. Nearby staff sitting around jumped up in surprise.
"Hello. No, stay seated."
Despite my protests, they hovered awkwardly. I quickly added,
"Just curious about the gear, here for pics."
"Ah, got it."
Their faces relaxed.
Phew, almost uncomfortable-ified the chill folks.
Wait, but...
They're staring awfully hard. Makes solo selfies awkward.
As I hesitated, the most senior-looking staff ventured,
"Want us to step aside?"
"No need! ...Ah!"
A brilliant idea hit.
"Wanna take a pic together?"
"Us?"
"Yeah. Who's else around?"
No need to solo it.
Way more natural with staff than awkward gear selfies. Builds rapport too.
Another staff shot up her hand.
"For real? Me! Let's do it!"
"Totally real. Group shot!"
I slipped in among them. The initially shy staff grinned wide. Click—snaps galore.
"Hey, can we join too?"
More staff swarmed over. We swapped backdrops and poses, racking up shots.
Nice. Goodstar fodder secured.
"Do-jun! Over here first!"
"Coming!"
Ran to Kim Han-soo's call. Monitoring must've wrapped.
Near the set, my eyes met Park Min-ha's first.
She smiled faintly; I nodded back, then greeted PD Kim Shin-hyo energetically.
"PD! Hello!"
"Ah, Do-jun. Came to act on an off day? Impressive. No wonder you're good."
Kim Han-soo jumped in seamlessly.
"Not just talk—he really works hard."
"Can tell. Shooting with Min-ha and Do-jun showed why Pida Entertainment's got the rep."
"Thank you."
"Anyway, watch comfy. Ask anything anytime."
"Got it. Thanks, PD!"
PD Kim Shin-hyo patted my back and dove back into prep.
Then I approached Lee Jun-hyung, who'd looked sour since I arrived. Didn't want to, but eyes were on us—greetings due.
"Sunbae-nim, hell..."
Tsk.
As expected. He clicked his tongue and brushed past. blatant ignore.
Grabbed a smoke from his approaching manager and lit up.
Fine, whatever. Do you.
"Don't you have other schedules?"
Park Min-ha approached, handing me a drink.
"Better rest fully on off days, thinking ahead."
Worry clear in her tone. I grinned to show I was fine.
"Still good. I'll rest when stamina dips. Too much I don't know yet."
"True. First time and all."
She nodded, then stared at my face intently. Suddenly, she flashed a cheeky grin.
"But is that really all?"
"Pardon?"
"Reason for set. Not here for my acting? Gotta be good, right?"
So brazen, unlike her—I burst out laughing.
"Pfft!"
"Hey! Laughing at me?"
"N-no, not that...!"
Panicking she'd be offended, I waved my hands. She amped it up.
"For real, my acting's amazing. Probably... the best in the universe?"
"Kh!"
Obvious joke—staff laughed too. Mood warmed instantly.
"So ask me acting questions anytime, junior."
"Thanks. Please keep helping."
"Whoa, you're good too—got questions? Staff, anything for him? No time once shooting starts—ask now."
"Really? Okay?"
"Duh. That's why we're here."
Great vibe let me chat naturally with staff.
They'd seemed hostile at first post-script changes, but now all kind and comfy.
Drama sets are fun.
Whole different charm from stage.
I chatted warmly with Park Min-ha and the staff, thinking that.