Just before the live broadcast began, the tension among the broadcasting station staff was at an all-time high.
“Especially to the camera directors, we’re counting on you. If there are no mistakes on your end, everything will proceed smoothly.”
It was a presidential debate that had garnered national attention.
Even the smallest mistake was unacceptable.
If the broadcast fell under accusations of bias, the entire station would face severe backlash.
“If we stick to what we’ve always done, there should be no problems.”
“The supporters are getting more fanatical as time goes on, though. Not that I care much about politics.”
The main producer, who claimed to be indifferent to politics, was, in fact, an avid supporter of Yoo Hangcheol.
Just last night, he had a heated argument with a younger colleague who said they were voting for Kang Jiwoo.
The camera director nodded along to the producer’s comment.
“Kang Jiwoo, or whoever, seems to be gaining a lot of popularity these days. I’m not interested, though.”
Despite his claim of disinterest, the director was a member of the Democratic Party and had paid party dues for the past 10 years. Naturally, he planned to vote for Cho Seyoung in this election.
As they chatted, wearing metaphorical masks to conceal their political inclinations, someone approached them.
“Excuse me…”
“Hm?”
A figure dressed in a suit and tie approached with small, measured steps.
It was Kang Jiwoo.
The sight of her, dressed formally despite her youthful appearance, was almost comical.
“Hello!”
She bowed at a full 90 degrees and then looked up at them with sparkling eyes.
‘She’s… adorable!’
The overwhelming cuteness of Kang Jiwoo was their immediate first impression.
“Ah… hello.”
The staff were somewhat taken aback.
Politicians rarely greeted people this way.
Even if they did, it would usually be their aides or minor representatives doing the rounds, not a presidential candidate themselves.
But here was Kang Jiwoo, personally going around the studio, greeting every adult she encountered.
After making a full round of introductions, she hovered around the cameras, circling them like a curious child.
“Do you have something to say?”
“Yes… I was curious about something…”
“Go ahead.”
“Is this… a forklift?”
“A forklift?”
She was pointing at the Jimmy Jib camera—a crane-like equipment with a camera mounted at its end.
To a child, it likely resembled a construction vehicle.
“Haha, this isn’t a forklift. It’s called a Jimmy Jib.”
“Jimmy… Jib?”
“Yes. See the camera at the end? It’s used for overhead shots.”
“Wow… Jimmy Jib… it’s so tall.”
Fascinated, Kang Jiwoo stared at the equipment for a long time before bowing politely and moving on.
With time still left before the broadcast, her next target was the control room.
The mysterious room, located right next to the live broadcast studio, drew her attention.
She wandered around its entrance, sneaking glances inside.
That’s when her eyes met the main producer.
“Ah!”
Startled, she quickly ducked behind the door.
The producer chuckled and called out to her.
“Are you curious about this room?”
“Yes…”
“You can take a look inside if you want.”
“Thank you~!”
As she stepped inside, her eyes widened at the sight of the large broadcasting equipment, dozens of monitors, and an overwhelming array of switches.
“Wow…”
She couldn’t tear her gaze away, her head turning in all directions as she asked, “Can you play games on this too?”
“Hahaha!”
The producer and the technical staff burst into laughter.
Her innocent question lightened the tense atmosphere.
“She’s so tiny and adorable!”
“Her pink hair stands out so much.”
“Pink hair usually doesn’t suit people, but it’s perfect for her.”
Before they knew it, the staff had gathered around her, charmed by her mere presence.
Watching her dart around asking innocent questions brought smiles to everyone’s faces.
And then, a sudden thought crossed their minds.
‘Can this adorable kid really withstand the pressures of a debate?’
Seeing her in person, she seemed too pure and lovable to be subjected to the negativity of political attacks.
“Five minutes left! Everyone, please attach the microphones to the participants!”
The live broadcast was about to begin.
As Kang Jiwoo sat in her chair, the staff nervously watched her, their hearts racing.
“I hope you don’t get too hurt.”
“You won’t cry during the debate, will you?”
“Good luck…”
Before anyone realized it, the staff started rooting for Kang Jiwoo.
The live broadcast began.
As I tried to focus on the camera, my eyes kept wandering.
It was because of Han Seoyoung and Bong Suhee in their mascot costumes.
“Heehee.”
Their antics were so funny that I couldn’t help but laugh.
By the time I pulled myself together, the debate had already progressed quite a bit.
“Thank you. Now, let’s hear the opening statement from Candidate Kang Jiwoo.”
“Gasp…”
It was already my turn.
This darn elementary school-level brain of mine.
The moment I got distracted, it was already like this.
I placed the doll I had been fiddling with on the desk.
Then I took a deep breath.
“Alright! Haa…”
Time to activate serious mode.
Clenching the fists tightly,
straightening my back as if someone were pulling my crown upwards,
and furrowing my brows into a V, I began to recite my script.
“Hello~ I’m Kang Jiwoo, Candidate No. 5. If I become president…”
There were no mistakes.
I had practically memorized this for a week straight.
Anyway, the opening statement was just a teaser.
“…I will be a president who brings laughter to the people!”
As soon as I finished, Han Seoyoung gave me a big thumbs-up.
It seemed she was quite satisfied as well.
“Thank you for your statement. By the way, Candidate Kang Jiwoo, may I ask you a light question?”
A question.
In this unexpected situation, my confidence scattered like dandelion seeds, and my body shrank.
“Yes…”
“What’s that you placed on the desk?”
She seemed to be referring to the doll.
“Ah, Dolly is… my friend…”
A contented smile appeared on the host’s face.
Smiles also spread among the staff.
Thankfully, the reaction wasn’t bad.
The atmosphere toward me was friendly.
Walking around and greeting people before the broadcast had paid off.
At that moment, Yoo Hangcheol spoke up.
“Don’t you have anything to ask me?”
“You look fantastic today. Of course, Candidate Jo Seyoung as well—both of you are shining.”
“It’s because I’m bald that I’m shining.”
“Hahaha.”
Yoo Hangcheol cracked a bald joke.
The atmosphere softened.
‘If things stay cheerful like this, it’s good for me.’
A lighthearted atmosphere worked in my favor.
Not just because I was a child.
It was because it would make my policies resonate more effectively.
‘Father, thank you.’
At this moment, I could almost call Yoo Hangcheol my father.
Yoo Hangcheol
His debate strategy today was simple.
“Agitate subtly.”
Gently scratch at sore spots.
Not outright attacking, but constantly poking.
At first, the opponent might try to endure, but eventually, they’d lose their temper and explode.
Then, with a nonchalant air, he’d act as though the reaction was unwarranted.
The so-called “Scratch Strategy.”
Salt the wound, scratch until it bled profusely, and wait until the opponent, unable to endure, erupts in anger.
Then he’d just shrug it off with a casual remark and step back.
It was a strategy that minimized the risk of counterattacks while highlighting the opponent’s negative traits.
Yoo Hangcheol especially loved this strategy.
“Because it’s fun.”
For the one executing it, it was a blast.
For the one enduring it, it was maddening.
“That’s the perfect strategy for a sure win.”
“Let’s continue the debate with a focus on the economy. Candidate Cho Seoyoung, you have the first word. After your statement, we’ll move into an open Q&A session.”
The first speaker was Cho Seoyoung.
The promises were predictable.
Campaign promises were always like that.
The general stance might differ, but from a broader perspective, the pledges from the left and right hadn’t changed much over the years.
Five years ago, the Democratic and Republican parties argued over similar promises, and they would do the same five years later.
In the end, what determined the outcome of a debate was
‘Momentum.’
The moment Cho Seyoung finished speaking, Yoo Hangchul shot back.
“You mentioned stimulating consumption by reducing income taxes and creating large-scale public jobs, but that doesn’t add up economically.”
“What do you mean by ‘doesn’t add up’?”
“Have you heard of the Phillips Curve?”
“What… what curve?”
“The Phillips Curve. You’re running for president and don’t know this?”
“…”
“My goodness. It seems Candidate Cho Seoyoung stopped studying after becoming a prosecutor.”
Yoo Hangcheol versus Cho Seoyoung.
It was a perfect victory for Yoo Hangcheol.
Cho Seoyoung completely lost his footing, unable to manage his expression.
Throughout the debate, he broke into a cold sweat, his complexion pale.
“So it’s true that he’s been taking psychiatric medication these days,”
Yoo thought, feeling a faint pity as a colleague—though just about the size of half a bean.
“Candidate Yoo Hangcheol has used up a lot of time, so we’ll now give the floor to Candidate Kang Jiwoo.”
Kang Jiwoo, unsure of what to do, blinked in confusion.
“Candidate Kang Jiwoo, please ask your question.”
“Ah…”
Kang Jiwoo frantically shuffled through the documents scattered on the table.
Finally, as if finding what they were looking for, they read aloud.
“Candidate Cho Seoyoung… ah, no… Candidate Cho… I heard your pledges well!”
“Yes?”
And that was it.
“Is that all?”
“Y-Yes!”
In the end, Kang Jiwoo failed to launch any real attack.
“So, they’ve given up on offense and are going all-in on defense? A strategy befitting amateurs,” Yoo Hangcheol mused.
Yoo Hangcheol’s economic pledges were unveiled.
Cho Seoyoung tried to counterattack but struggled to gain any ground.
Meanwhile, Kang Jiwoo listened intently, as if absorbing every word.
Their large, round eyes seemed to pierce Yoo Hangcheol, as if they were preparing some sharp questions.
But when the time came, there was nothing of the sort.
“I’ve heard everything, and I think it’s really great!”
“Is that all?”
“Yes!”
All they did was offer praise.
It was endearing, but that was all.
“Now, we’ll hear Candidate Kang Jiwoo’s economic policies.”
Finally, it was Kang Jiwoo’s turn.
Cho Seoyoung sharpened their focus, ready to recover from their earlier defeat by attacking Kang Jiwoo.
Yoo Hangcheol, too, furrowed his brow and watched intently.
“I’ll rattle them and make them cry,” Yoo thought, aiming to reduce Kang Jiwoo to tears and provoke a dismissive reaction from the audience: ‘Really, crying over that?’
Kang Jiwoo paused for a moment before, as if making up their mind, announcing their pledges.
“If I become president, I will revive our country’s economy! My pledges are written in the pledge book!”
“…?”
It was a statement so shocking it made everyone question their hearing.
A presidential candidate telling people to go look up their pledges themselves?
Unbelievable.
But that wasn’t all.
“The adults’ policies were too difficult, so I’m still learning. That’s why I’ve brought easy-to-understand pledges for children!”
Kang Jiwoo picked up a presentation board with their policies.
Although the board wasn’t particularly large, it completely obscured Kang Jiwoo’s small face.
“If I become president, I’ll create a savings plan! You can save 100 won a day. That’s 3,000 won a month and 36,000 won a year! I promise to add 4,000 won to make it 40,000 won!”
Yoo Hangcheol interjected immediately.
“Just 4,000 won? Can you even buy snacks with that?”
Kang Jiwoo, still hidden behind the board, responded,
“Yes! You can buy two packs of Choco Song-i!”
“No, I mean… how does a savings plan with a mere 4,000-won subsidy help households?”
“Children are citizens too!”
“?!”
The answer lay in the policy document.
Eligibility: Under 18 years old.
This policy wasn’t for adults.
It was for children, who couldn’t vote.
“Through the children’s savings plan, kids can develop the habit of saving from a young age and learn about the economy! I want to help my friends, siblings, and even older brothers and sisters buy snacks and toys!”
To be honest, the policy wasn’t particularly impactful economically.
A plan that subsidized just 4,000 won per household?
“It’s a completely useless pledge,” Yoo Hangcheol thought.
If Cho Seoyoung had proposed it, Yoo would have ridiculed it immediately.
“Do you think the presidential race is child’s play?”
“How would this help our economy?”
But because it came from Kang Jiwoo, it somehow felt plausible.
A child had brought a pledge for children.
It addressed a gap adults overlooked because it didn’t concern voters.
From a child’s perspective, it was both commendable and endearing.
However…
“Kang Jiwoo, you’re taking this presidential race far too lightly.”
Yoo Hangcheol thought this strategy wouldn’t work.
Debates are the realm of logic and reason.
Relying on emotions would only lead to backlash in the end.
Even if it was an adorable creature…!
“What is this? This isn’t a kindergarten play. If you’re going to do this, why not go run for class president at an elementary school?”
That was Yoo Hangcheol’s rebuttal.
He had adjusted his tone as best as he could.
But then.
“……”
‘What the…? Why is it so cold here?’
The atmosphere around him turned icy.
It was because of the staff who had been watching the debate.
Their cold, expressionless gazes pierced through Yoo Hangcheol.
To a kid, that’s what you say?
Don’t you feel ashamed as an adult?
A kid is trying their best, and you just had to tear them down like that?!
Boo~ Trash~!
It was as if their eyes were saying these things.
Though they didn’t speak a word, their looks were enough to curse him.
“Ahem…”
Even Yoo Hangcheol, known for his strong-willed nature, couldn’t help but shrink back.