Hello Vet! How are you?

KBC Broadcasting Station, “Animal Cheers!”

Production Studio.

“Everything is great. Everything’s fine, but the issue is that all these stories have been covered by ‘Animal World’ already.”

“But, but they covered country cats there, so wouldn’t this be a bit different? The story is quite touching as well.”

At Writer Yum’s words, PD Park Joo-hwan let out a sigh.

“Writer Yum, is there any story here that isn’t heart-wrenching? They’re all pitiful. They really are!”

“That’s exactly my point.”

“I know, but don’t you think it’s similar to the story that appeared in ‘Animal World’ in the third week of last month? Or is it just me?”

“Well, yes, but still, wouldn’t it be fine? Truthfully, the response was good back then.”

“It was indeed.”

“So, I think the audience will like this story too.”

‘Animal World’.

At Writer Han’s words, PD Park Joo-hwan shouted a single word.

“If Animal World broadcasts this story, the viewers will understand it as a follow-up series. But how would they perceive it if we air it? Won’t they think we’re copying? The viewer’s forum might go into an uproar!”

‘Animal World’ is the leading animal-specialized program in the country.

As a latecomer, ‘Animal Cheers’ had initially set out ambitiously but was in a situation where it was viewed as offering nothing new since all stories featuring animals seemed almost identical.

However, did viewers turn their backs on it?

Absolutely not.

Animal-loving viewers wanted to watch shows featuring animals, even if the content was similar.

For this reason, it was true that ‘Animal Cheers’ had conveniently found its place by hopping onto the foundation that ‘Animal World’ had already built.

However, it wasn’t receiving good evaluations because of that.

An imitation of ‘Animal World’.

In general, people view ‘Animal Cheers’ as a copy of ‘Animal World’.

Some viewers even consider ‘Animal Cheers’ to be just a segment of ‘Animal World’.

For the production team, who were working hard day and night on the ‘Animal Cheers’ program, it was a tiring situation.

“Anyway, this won’t do. Don’t we have more new, better, and more moving stories? Ideally, with a positive influence!”

The brainstorming meeting that had started at 9 in the morning had continued until now, past 7 in the evening.

During that time, countless stories had been mentioned, but PD Park was not satisfied.

All the content was more or less the same.

While PD Park Joo-hwan was reviewing the ideas that had come up so far with a sigh, several writers exchanged glances.

While the writers communicated with their eyes, writer Yum spoke up.

“PD, can we think after eating something? I can’t think because I’m hungry.”

“That’s right. Without some sugar, my brain has stopped. Let’s eat something, yeah? There’s a new shop nearby that reportedly has delicious food. Why don’t we go there…?”

“Order anything.”

The intention was to suggest going out to eat, but…

Writer Yum answered with a swallowed sigh.

“… Okay.”

With Writer Yum’s response, the junior writer opened a delivery app.

As they were telling the junior writer what they wanted to eat, PD Park’s phone rang.

It was a call from Journalist Kim Eun-ji, with whom he had kept in touch since the Evergreen Park incident.

“Oh, it’s been a while, kim Journalist!”

Because the previous story about Evergreen Park had garnered quite good ratings, PD Park Joo-hwan’s voice heightened in excitement.

-Hello, PD Park. I have a tip for you.

“A tip?”

-Yes, you mentioned you were interested in stories about animal abuse, didn’t you?

Kim Eun-ji briefly explained the story about Aji to PD Park.

As he listened to Kim Eun-ji’s story, PD Park’s eyes sparkled.

“Please wait, I’m coming right away.”

***

“You really flew here.”

Kim Eun-ji greeted PD Park with a smile.

Though the broadcasting station wasn’t too far from the Woof Woof Animal Clinic, it still wasn’t a distance to cover in just 20 minutes.

Moreover, wasn’t it outside working hours?

“I hitched a ride on a motorcycle.”

“You didn’t have to rush like that…”

“No, while you all are waiting, I must come quickly.”

This was the animal abuse story he had been waiting for.

Even with just that, it was more than enough reason to pursue a report, and hearing the name of the tipster, PD Park found himself in delight.

Lee Joon, who became a star among pet owners overnight thanks to his transformation of Evergreen Park.

However, apart from a few newspaper interviews, he had never appeared on a broadcast.

If he could somehow get such a person involved in his program…

Before ‘Animal World’ caught wind of this story and approached Lee Joon, PD Park Joo-hwan had scrambled here.

‘But which one of them is Director Lee Joon?’

In PD Park’s eyes, there were two people in white coats ahead.

One had a neat, handsome look, and the other, a robust build.

Either looked like they would be appealing.

The handsome vet seemed like he’d look great on camera, appealing to viewers, whereas the burly vet reminded one of a rugged man, appealing in his way.

With such a build, surely any animal abuser would shrink back.

In any case, PD Park thought either would successfully draw public attention, just as Kim Eun-ji began to speak.

“Here is Director Lee Joon. He’s the brave individual who reported to the police as soon as he saw Aji.”

“Hello, I’m Lee Joon, a veterinarian.”

As Lee Joon introduced himself, the gleam in PD Park’s eyes brightened.

‘Oh, he has a nice voice.’

A pleasing baritone voice combined with gentle eyes. His handsome appearance was a bonus.

PD Park could almost see the ratings increasing before his eyes.

Lee Joon introduced Go Gijin, Han Na-Hyuk, and Jang Sora to PD Park.

Exchanging greetings only made PD Park’s smile grow broader.

With someone as popular as Lee Joon, ratings were assured, and having two vets with strong personalities added to it.

‘Is our program finally going to shine?’

With high hopes, PD Park started listening to Lee Joon and his team’s account of the incident.

As Lee Joon’s narrative unfolded, PD Park found himself engrossed in it.

“You could tell the dog was underweight from handling it during a check-up, but how did you ascertain it had been beaten? Black dogs usually hide injuries.”

Having been involved in animal broadcasting for a long time, PD Park, whose knowledge now rivaled that of a seasoned expert, tilted his head in curiosity.

“The expression.”

“The expression?”

“Aji looked very downcast.”

“Ah, indeed, your powers of observation are exceptional.”

Assuming animal lovers might notice such things, PD Park nodded affirmatively.

The conversation continued, and at the mention of capturing the abuse scene through CCTV installed in the alley, PD Park was astonished.

“How on earth did you know that?”

“There were fresh wounds on Aji’s injury-laden body. Blood was slowly oozing from them, indicating they had occurred just before that, and there were scratch marks on the neck too.”

“Ah, so you concluded the dog had been dragged?”

“Exactly. If a dog resists visiting the vet, animal lovers would either coax the dog or carry it in, but that person beat Aji and dragged it along.”

“In any case, you have impressive insights. Your quick thinking is admirable. You’d make a good detective.”

“That’s an interesting idea.”

“Haha, it surely seems so. If any animal seeks help regarding an incident site with Director Joon, there might be a chance to find clues only known to the animals.”

Really pondering the possibility, PD Park laughed heartily.

Although initially expressed to flatter Lee Joon, hearing those words made Lee Joon think it might indeed be possible.

‘If there were animals witnessing the scene, it might indeed be achievable.’

Lee Joon considered that such an opportunity might come someday.

He proposed an idea he had been contemplating to PD Park.

“I really like it. No, I love it, and the audience truly enjoys seeing dogs and cats on the same screen. Going beyond that to healing them, well…”

PD Park rose from his seat and bowed to Lee Joon, deeply appreciative of Lee’s decision to choose his program over ‘Animal World’.

“I’m truly grateful for featuring such a precious story on our ‘Animal Cheers’.”

“I hope my wishes come true.”

Lee Joon hoped that, through this broadcast, not only would the suffering of abused animals decrease but also those guilty of animal abuse would never own pets again.

“Certainly. Your wishes align with mine too. While the law may be distant, our broadcast is close by. I will ensure the viewers remember that abuser.”

***

The next day.

Several cameras were set up at the Woof Woof Animal Clinic.

“Hehe, I can’t believe I’ll be on TV. Thanks to you, hyung, I’m finally making it big.”

Having notified everyone he knew about his upcoming broadcast appearance, Go Gijin was so elated that he couldn’t contain his joy.

“How could you even consider that a big deal?”

“It’s big enough. My father was immensely proud, saying it’s the honor of the family. PD Park, when will the broadcast be? My father plans to hang a banner outside the animal clinic asking for the date.”

“Isn’t that too over the top?”

“Hahaha, doesn’t that just show how proud he is? PD Park, when is it exactly?”

“There’s no fixed date yet. It’ll probably be set by next week. Is Mr. Go’s father also a veterinarian?”

“He deals with large animals.”

“Oh! That’s impressive. May I ask where he runs his practice?”

With widened eyes, PD Park inquired to Go Gijin.

“He practices in Hongseong, mainly handling cows.”

Go Gijin replied proudly, and PD Park remembered his words.

‘What on earth is going on? Director Lee Joon, a veterinarian following in his family’s footsteps, and the upcoming news of the opening of an animal medical center with the best rehabilitation center in the country.’

Thinking the storylines would indeed become more diverse, PD Park Joo-hwan couldn’t help but smile broadly.

Lee Joon was no different.

‘After this broadcast, many will recognize that person, right?’

Considering it’s a frequently rerun program, many people would get to see it.

Lee Joon hoped that Kim I-seok would never own an animal again.

He planned to express that hope in his upcoming interview.

The person sitting across from Lee Joon, preparing for the interview, was the popular actress Gong Joeng-Ah.

Famous for rarely appearing outside drama or film projects, Gong Joeng-Ah had opted to be here for a simple reason.

For the past few years, she has been a devoted advocate for animal protection.

Her conviction stemmed from an incident three years ago during a movie shoot in Thailand.

She was supposed to ride an elephant for the film.

If the shoot had wrapped up in one day, it might have been fine, but they needed the same elephant for a week.

During that time, Gong Joeng-Ah witnessed the elephant being whipped.

What’s more, the whip had spikes that pierced the elephant’s flesh, an experience she couldn’t forget.

Since then, Gong Joeng-Ah has raised her voice for animal welfare.

While she often declined other shows, if invited by programs like ‘Animal Cheers’ or ‘Animal World’ advocating animal welfare, she would appear if her schedule allowed.

Hence, having been contacted by PD Park just a day prior, she was now present for the interview.

Meanwhile.

‘I will finally get to see Gray one and Kkamnyang.’

Once a fan who watched Gwak Soo-ho’s videos almost daily, Gong Joeng-Ah adored the park cats.

Among them, she was particularly fond of Gray one and Kkamnyang.

As such, she was truly thankful and appreciative of Lee Joon, who not only cared for Gray one and Kkamnyang but also the park cats in general, though he wasn’t aware.

Feeling a sense of internal warmth and familiarity with Lee Joon, Gong Joeng-Ah started the interview.

“Viewers who watch this broadcast will already know Gray one and Kkamnyang. There’s probably no one who doesn’t know the park cats’ hip dance. I myself watch them two or three times a day.”

Gong Joeng-Ah believed that while she was speaking, footage of the park cats would be shown.

“The person sitting in front of me now is the renowned Director Lee Joon. Director Lee, hello.”

“Hello, I’m veterinarian Lee Joon.”

After a brief introduction of Lee Joon, Gong Joeng-Ah continued speaking.

“I wish today was also under better circumstances to meet you all, like before, but unfortunately, it’s not.”

Showing genuine regret, Gong Joeng-Ah’s expression was full of empathy.

That alone painted a clear picture of what kind of episode was forthcoming.

“Director, could you share the story with us?”

“First, I hope you can see this.”

As Lee Joon displayed Aji’s details on the monitor, Gong Joeng-Ah’s expression turned grim.

What followed was a recount of the previous day’s events.

While hearing Lee Joon’s account, Gong Joeng-Ah felt compassion and was infuriated by the scenes of Kim I-seok assaulting Aji.

She was thrilled and satisfied when Gray one and Kkamnyang attacked Kim successfully, even more than anyone who had been there the day before.

‘She truly is someone who resonates deeply with others.’

While Aji’s story was already one that would provoke anger among viewers, seeing it through Gong Joeng-Ah’s lens would incite even more fury.

It was precisely the response Lee Joon hoped for.

He wanted viewers of this broadcast to despise and be outraged at animal abusers.

“The problem is that such unfortunate events are prevalent, albeit concealed in homes. Even at this very moment.”

“It’s truly heartbreaking. These creatures, who can’t even voice out, just endure all the pain.”

Pausing briefly, Gong Joeng-Ah raised her head to gaze at the ceiling, then resumed speaking.

“I’m sorry. Thinking about those animals… fortunately, Aji was lucky enough to catch your eye. It’s truly a relief.”

“It indeed is. But still, thinking about what must have happened over the past five years is unsettling.”

“… Me too. How terrifying and exhausting it must have been for that little one.”

After exhaling a brief sigh, Gong Joeng-Ah carefully inquired further.

“How is Aji doing?”

“He’s undergoing treatment. He’s in the inpatient room now, do you want to take a look?”

“Yes.”

Lee Joon and Gong Joeng-Ah shifted their gaze toward the equipment the production team had set up.

It was equipment that enabled them to view footage from cameras placed all around the animal clinic, wherein the inpatient room footage was turned on.

In the inpatient room, Gray one, Kkamnyang, and Aji sat closely, seemingly having a discussion.

To Kim Eun-ji’s ears, it was mere meowing, howling, and barking, but to Lee Joon, it was crystal clear.