Chapter 39: Fashion Ping Kang Jiwoo

News channels were flooded with updates about Kang Jiwoo. Reports highlighted her performance in debates, and political segments were dedicated to specials on her.

“……Let’s move on to the next topic. After the last debate, Kang Jiwoo’s popularity has soared. A post on an online community has been gaining attention.”

Title: The Proper Way to Debate

(Photo of Cho Seoyoung staring only at her script)

(Photo of Yoo Hangcheol scoffing)

(Photo of Kang Jiwoo listening attentively)

“Other candidates don’t even listen to their opponents~

Only Jiwooping listens and respects others~

Jiwooping is the true adult of our time~

Great Jiwoo!!!

So cute

Adorable chu~ hahaha

Such a precious chu~

Completely royal Jiwooping”

“The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, praising Kang Jiwoo’s debate attitude.”

“Indeed, there’s truth in that. Not just in debates but also in hearings, our politicians, who are often obsessed with attacking their opponents, should reflect on this point.”

The anchor, holding back a chuckle, continued,

“But why are netizens attaching ‘chu’ at the end of every sentence? What does it mean?”

“Haha, it’s a new slang from a children’s animation. Remember when ‘삼체’ (samche) was trending, with phrases ending in ‘삼’? It’s similar to that. Adding ‘chu’ at the end is a trend among the MZ generation.”

“I see. So if I say, ‘Today’s discussion has been very informative,’ is that correct?”

“Wow, our anchor is totally MZ!”

As warm compliments were exchanged, a panelist suddenly interjected. It was Representative Gansina from the New Wind Democratic Party.

“Let’s move on, shall we? It feels like we’re spending too much time on one specific candidate during the election season.”

“Yes, yes, let’s proceed. The next topic is Cho Seoyoung’s recent activities. Let’s look at the photo material.”

(Cho Seoyoung visiting an orphanage)

“Cho Seoyoung visited an orphanage and interacted with children. This seems like a different approach compared to her usual style. What do you think?”

“It’s likely influenced by Kang Jiwoo, don’t you think?”

Once again, Gansina interjected.

“Can we stop talking about Kang Jiwoo already?”

“I’m just offering analysis. Given that she’s the hottest figure right now, her name will naturally keep coming up.”

“Still, this is too much. It’s turning into an all-Kang Jiwoo broadcast! Isn’t this biased reporting?”

“Why get so worked up~chu?”

“And please stop with that weird speech! Before I sue you for harassment!”

No matter the discussion, it always circled back to Kang Jiwoo.

It was inevitable.

Cho Seoyoung’s sudden orphanage visit and Yoo Hangcheol’s hasty children’s policies were all analyzed as being influenced by Kang Jiwoo.

She had become the trendsetter of politics, a figure defining the current landscape.

“Alright, let’s calm down. Kang Jiwoo’s groundbreaking moves always make waves. What do you think her next step will be?”

Gansina replied in a slightly agitated tone,

“Groundbreaking? Fresh? How long can that last? Freshness doesn’t last forever. Kang Jiwoo is out campaigning on the streets today, but it won’t attract as much attention as before. Why? She’s already peaked. She’s shown all her cute sides!”

Just as Gansina snapped back, breaking news came in.

“We have live coverage of Kang Jiwoo’s street campaign. It seems she’s once again captivated citizens with a unique appearance. Let’s take a look.”

The screen shifted.

“Hahaha, what is that outfit?”

“Looks like a shopping trip to Dongmyo Market! Adorable!”

“Once again, it’s truly unprecedented. When has a presidential candidate ever shown up like this?”

On the screen, Kang Jiwoo’s outfit was jaw-dropping. So much so that it left the news panel speechless.

—

[LIVE] Candidate No. 5, Kang Jiwoo’s Dongmyo Shopping Campaign

Viewers: 5,781

I hit 5,000 viewers as soon as the show started.

If I were an internet streamer, wouldn’t I already be a major player?

Even offline, my popularity knows no bounds.

The elders at Dongmyo Market recognized me immediately and welcomed me warmly.

“Who’s this? Isn’t it the presidential candidate?”

“Kang Jiwoo…?”

“Yes, Kang Jiwoo!”

“Kang Jiwon is here at Dongmyo Market!”

Though my name was slightly off, I was grateful for their recognition.

“Hello~ I’m Kang Jiwoo~ Candidate No. 5~”

“Oh, so it’s Jiwoo, not Jiwon!”

The elders eagerly shook my hand one by one.

“You must save Korea’s economy!”

“Yes…”

“Respond energetically!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Hahaha, such a charming youngster.”

Suddenly, I recalled the time before I got TS syndrome.

When I visited places with many elderly people, their gazes were rather cold.

It seemed that most of them thought I looked too young.

Adding to that was the “traitor” label tied to Yoo Hang-cheol, so I couldn’t expect any warm reception.

But now, they all look at me with eyes full of honey.

“What brings our adorable candidate to Dongmyo Market?”

“I… came to buy clothes…”

“Oh, you mean the thrift market? Go that way~”

“Thank you~”

I held Han Seo-young’s hand tightly and moved on.

A considerable crowd followed us into the clothing market alley.

Dongmyo Market is famous for thrift clothing and miscellaneous goods.

The signature style here is the piles of clothes sold like mountains.

To be honest, it was my first time buying clothes here.

The place was full of unique fashion items, including fluorescent hiking outfits—styles I didn’t particularly want to wear.

But…

“Wow… there are so many cool clothes…”

Apparently, it looked different to Jiwoo Ping.

The flashier, the better!

The more noticeable, the cooler!

That was how a child’s heart cried out.

“Hello~ I’m Kang Jiwoo~”

“Wow. You’re so pretty! You could be a star when you grow up!”

“I’m going to be president…!”

“Haha, sure. Be president first, and then become a star or do whatever you want!”

“But… are there children’s clothes here?”

“Of course. Just look around.”

From that moment, Jiwoo started rummaging through the piles of clothes.

Her short arms and small hands moved diligently.

Although a little shy, she seemed thrilled at the thought of picking out her own clothes.

“Found it…”

She found a few pieces of children’s clothing.

Her favorite was a fluorescent hiking jacket for kids.

“This must be expensive… It’s so cool…”

She muttered quietly to herself.

Since she kept hearing that the party had no money, the thought of budgeting was ingrained in her mind.

“Do you want that?”

“Yes… But I don’t know how much it costs…”

The vendor chuckled and shouted cheerfully.

“Five million won!”

“Whaaaaat…?”

Thump-thump!

Her heart raced uncontrollably.

She carefully folded the jacket she was holding and gently put it down.

“Si…Siljang Ping…”

Then she clung to Han Seo-young, seemingly frightened by the thought of having touched something so expensive.

“Hahaha.”

“Aw, the kid’s so startled she might cry!”

“It’s not five million won, little one—it’s five thousand won!”

Laughter bloomed all around.

Perhaps feeling sorry, the vendor picked up the jacket Jiwoo had chosen and helped her try it on.

“Wow, you look great! It’s originally five thousand won, but since it suits you so well, I’ll give it to you for three thousand.”

“Thank you~”

“And here’s a star-shaped pair of sunglasses as a bonus! Take it for free!”

“Wow… Free…? Is this heaven…?”

A fluorescent hiking jacket.

And star-shaped sunglasses.

Just these two items seemed to send her over the moon.

But the shopping had only just begun.

“Excuse me, how much is this…?”

“Three thousand won!”

“Siljang Ping, Siljang Ping, this is only three thousand won…!”

“Excuse me, how much is this one…?”

“Two thousand won!”

“Siljang Ping, Siljang Ping…! This one’s two thousand won! It’s so pretty, and it’s only two thousand won…!”

She was utterly ecstatic.

There was no other way to describe it.

As the shopping continued, my outfit became increasingly bizarre.

I, Kang Jiwoo…

I used to be a guy whose suit fit looked impressive…

In Yeouido’s fashion ranking, I had the confidence to place in the top tier…

But today, my fashion philosophy was utterly shattered.

Someone, please stop this shopping nightmare…

“Wow! The Candidate looks amazing! Haha!”

“How do you manage to pick such gorgeous clothes?”

“As expected of our candidate! You even have an extraordinary sense of fashion~”

“Jiwoo Ping is actually Fashion Ping.”

Instead of stopping, the party members praised my astral fashion.

Of course, it wasn’t genuine praise.

How do I know?

Because this fashion was at least 100 years ahead of its time for humanity.

However, the outfit wasn’t yet complete.

The completion of fashion is the shoes.

And finally, I encountered the perfect shoes to crown my look.

“Gasp! The shoes… they sparkle…!?”

It was a pair of LED sneakers that sparkled with every step.

“Siljangping, Siljangping… Can I buy those…?”

“Uh, hmm… The sparkling sneakers?”

“Yeeees…”

“How about getting some pretty shoes instead?”

“But these are the prettiest ones, and I have to wear the prettiest ones because… I have to be on TV.”

A determined insistence on wearing sparkling shoes for a TV appearance!

Wait a minute.

So you’re saying you’re going on Young Quiz looking like this…?

While Kang Jiwoo was deep into shopping at Dongmyo, the internet was on fire with a trending post.

Title: The Reason Kang Jiwoo Dominated the Debate Revealed

Cho Seoyoung’s Everyday Fashion: Semi-formal style

Cho Seyoung Lv30

Yoo Hangcheol’s Everyday Fashion: Old-fashioned checkered shirt

Yoo Hangcheol Lv75

Kang Jiwoo’s Everyday Fashion:

Top: Neon hiking jacket

Bottom: Floral-patterned baggy pants

Accessories: Star-shaped sunglasses / Hip bag / Wide-brimmed straw hat

Shoes: LED sneakers

Kang Jiwoo Lv999

“Even the fashion screams of the main character vibes.”

“LOL what did they make her wear LOL.”

“Jiwooping chose it herself, y’all~.”

It’s tough…

This year’s trend is this.

Once again, Kang Jiwoo’s fashion was creating a massive buzz.