Chapter 26: “Oh, I’m sorry. I don’t speak Korean well. I went to an English kindergarten.”

A child living in South Korea, Lee Sojin.

Her days are perfect.

“Sojin, has the youngest eaten yet?”

“Yes.”

“Then you should get ready for school too.”

“I’m all ready.”

“Oh… really? Didn’t you need something for today?”

“Crayons and a photo to trace. I packed them yesterday.”

“Good job! Then let’s go!”

“Don’t forget the car keys.”

“Oh, right!”

“And don’t forget your green juice. It only has a week left before it expires, so start drinking it regularly from today.”

“Thank you, my thoughtful daughter…!”

The only one keeping her scatterbrained mom in check was Sojin.

Sometimes, it was hard to tell who was the mom and who was the daughter.

Even at school, Sojin excelled.

“Sojin ranked first in the last exam! Everyone, give her a round of applause~”

Clap, clap, clap.

Sojin studied diligently.

Although she had always worked hard, she was now putting in even more effort.

She had a goal.

‘I want to become a politician.’

Sojin had never really had a dream before.

Her plan was just to work at a company and earn money.

But everything changed after meeting Kang Jiwoo.

On the day Kang Jiwoo gave her the Tanniping Deluxe toy set as a gift, Sojin found her dream.

‘Politicians need to study well.’

She started researching the profession.

It seemed becoming a politician wasn’t easy.

One had to gain recognition as an expert in a field or achieve great accomplishments.

Even at nine years old, Sojin understood how challenging it was to get into a good university.

She also knew how hard it was to secure a good job and be acknowledged for expertise.

But she believed it wasn’t impossible.

She had confidence.

Sojin knew she was smart.

When she got home, she watched the news.

She hadn’t been interested before, but now political news was the most exciting thing to watch.

At that moment, her dad turned on a movie.

“Dad, I was watching the news.”

“The news…?”

“Yes. Turn it back, please.”

“Can’t we watch the movie instead?”

“No.”

Even her dad couldn’t argue against Sojin’s commanding charisma.

Who did she take after to be so sharp? At times, it was astonishing.

“…The Future Marriage Ginkgo Party’s candidate Kang Jiwoo ranks third with 18.5%…”

“Jiwoo, you’re doing well.”

As Sojin watched the news intently, her mom received a call and stepped into the room.

Sensing something was off, Sojin asked her mom after the call ended,

“Who called that made you so cautious?”

“Ah… well…”

Her mom’s troubled expression made Sojin’s heart sink.

Even for this mature girl, it was unsettling news.

—

Han Seoyoung’s Home

After work, she was engrossed in studying.

It was her usual routine.

“Taxes… money collected from the public to run the country.”

Tonight, this little body was especially focused.

Perhaps it was because she had heard they were going to the ‘amusement park,’ and she felt the need to do better.

Han Seoyoung chuckled at her and asked,

“Did hearing about going to Kids Nation make you suddenly want to study?”

“Yes! I’ll become the president at Kids Nation!”

Getting cooperation from Kids Nation was easy.

They likely anticipated the publicity from the Pink Whirlwind.

Han Seoyoung showed her a video of Kids Nation and added,

“At Kids Nation, you can experience not only being a president but also a firefighter, teacher, or even a pilot.”

“Wow…”

At first, she wasn’t very impressed with the idea of Kids Nation.

But the more she saw, the more fun it seemed.

The theme park was quite well-made.

Ahem. Not that she was particularly looking forward to it or anything.

It just seemed better than she initially thought.

“Once you’re there, let me know what you want to try. The more the candidate does actively and enthusiastically, the more it’ll help us. So, you’ll work hard, right?”

“Yes…! I’ll work really hard…!”

All of this was for the sake of increasing approval ratings.

Kids Nation.

“I’ll make full use of it…!”

A cute world designed entirely for children, where everything is scaled to their size.

Interactive venues with real company signs and lively staff.

And then:

“Sihoo! Hurry up! It’s time!”

“Quick, quick! Run!”

“Is it not here…? Over there!”

Parents and children running around frantically.

This was Kidz Nation.

“Why are they running around like that?”

“If you want to get into the popular venues, you have to run like that.”

“Not an easy feat….”

“For now, I’ve booked the presidential candidate experience. Once we get the notification, we can head over. Until then, feel free to explore and try other experiences.”

I was holding Han Seoyoung’s hand and looking around.

Wide-eyed and slack-jawed, I was gawking like a country bumpkin visiting Seoul for the first time.

“Candidate, what should we try first?”

“…?”

“Candidate?”

“Um, uh, I don’t have to do anything….”

My body had frozen stiff.

It seemed like this little kid’s body had gone timid.

Because of the other children.

I could handle adults or cameras, but the kids’ gazes were intimidating.

Well, I get it.

Technically, this body had never attended kindergarten or school, so interacting with kids felt even more awkward.

“How about trying the firefighter experience? Or maybe the baker experience?”

I silently blinked, without a word.

The murmurs of children and mothers nearby were grating on my ears.

At that moment, Han Seoyoung crouched down, grabbed my shoulders, and locked eyes with me.

“Don’t be afraid. We’re here with you, Candidate.”

Her gaze was determined, a look I had never seen since this transformation.

I’d been mentally exhausted from studying too much lately, so I’d been neglecting control over this body.

But Han Seoyoung’s words hit me like a bell toll.

‘What are you afraid of? It’s just an experience! You’re an actual presidential candidate!’

I began persuading my body.

To overcome this impulse of fear, I continuously encouraged myself.

‘Just enjoy it!’

Finally, my body began to move.

“Umm… that…”

The short hand pointed at KBC, the broadcasting station experience venue.

“You can start the announcer experience right away! Let’s head over!”

Together with my party members, I headed to the venue.

A crowd of children and mothers followed us in a rush.

“Welcome~ to the Kidz Nation broadcasting experience!”

The Kidz Nation staff member, Jeong Dasom, loved children.

She had met countless kids while working here.

Gentle kids. Stubborn kids. Fairy-like kids.

And even kids possessed by little devils….

She thought she had seen it all.

But this kid was the first.

“Wow….”

A look that immediately elicited admiration.

So cute that she found herself grinning uncontrollably.

This was Kang Jiwoo, the presidential candidate in an outfit emblazoned with the giant number ‘5.’

“Hello~”

“Ah, yes! Hello!”

Snapping out of her daze, Jeong Dasom began the orientation.

The experience included not just Kang Jiwoo but other children as well.

“Let’s divide up the roles! This child will be a reporter, this one a weathercaster, and…. Our child here will be the anchor!”

Kang Jiwoo’s overwhelming cuteness made her the perfect anchor.

After changing into a jacket, Kang Jiwoo climbed onto the chair.

Her gaze seemed a bit uneasy.

She had been in front of cameras many times but had only ever stood on stage for press conferences.

And now, she was performing in front of her peers.

“D-… Dolly… didn’t bring it….”

Usually, her dolphin friend Dolly would give her courage in these moments, but today, she had forgotten it at home.

The staff member gave the signal from the front.

At the same time, text appeared on the teleprompter.

“Ah, hello, this is… Anchor Kang Jiwoo… The first news is about… the Kids Nation Presidential Debate being… held….”

It was clumsy and awkward.

Like a comic character sweating bullets, her nervousness was palpable.

And it made her even cuter.

The mothers watching couldn’t hide their broad smiles.

“Oh my, how adorable.”

“My goodness, could anyone be this lovely….”

“The presidential candidate, they say.”

“A presidential candidate? That kid?”

“I thought she was a child actor or something~”

As always, she was popular with the moms.

Separately, there were also the gazes unique to being in Kids Nation.

“She’s so pretty…”

Boys her age couldn’t take their eyes off her.

Of course, being at an age where they were shy, they couldn’t openly say she was pretty.

“And… that concludes the 9 o’clock news. Thank you for watching~”

Though she stumbled a bit, she successfully made it through to the end.

“You did so well~ Here’s a Kids Coin as a reward~”

“A coin…?”

“Yes! At the department store, you can use coins to buy souvenirs. So, you’ll need to work hard, right?”

Feeling a bit more confident, Kang Jiwoo, her cheeks slightly flushed, grabbed Han Seoyoung’s hand and left the experience center.

Everyone looked at their backs with warm smiles.

The campaign combined with the experience activities continued on.

The reactions from viewers watching the live broadcast were enthusiastic.

“How are they holding a presidential campaign in Kids Nation? LOL.”

“Only Kang Jiwoo can pull off a campaign like this.”

“Stomp-stomp, she’s feeling so flooooated~”

“Is this the future hope of South Korea?”

“Holding my breath until Jiwooping’s Great Adventure 2 comes out.”

Amid the growing attention of countless people, Kang Jiwoo’s steps headed toward a mini airplane.

“You will become the pilot of this airplane. Please safely transport the passengers to their destination.”

“Time to board the plane~”

“She looks so cute in the pilot jacket LOL.”

“She looks good in anything.^^”

The children sat in their seats and started the flight simulator.

“Safety first! Safety second! Please fly with utmost caution!”

“I’m really good at this…!”

“Hahaha. I’ll look forward to it!”

“I’m going to get there the fastest…!”

Kang Jiwoo displayed her confidence.

Soon, the airplane took off, and each child began piloting their own plane.

Everything was going smoothly—

Except for Kang Jiwoo.

[EMERGENCY SITUATION!]

[You have deviated from the flight path!]

[Encountered turbulence!!]

[Altitude is too low!]

Warning signs popped up one after another.

Even a red beacon light started flashing.

“What the heck LOL Jiwooping’s piloting skills are unreal LOL.”

“Crisis within a minute of takeoff!”

“Ahhhh! Save meeee~”

Soon, oxygen masks dropped from above.

“Eek…!”

A flustered Kang Jiwoo yanked the control stick.

But it was too late to recover from the disaster.

[BOOM!]

[The airplane has crashed.]

“LOL it’s a total disaster.”

“So much for the future of Korea.”

“It’s fine. The country was already doomed anyway LOL.”

“Jiwooping spared everyone the painful death. She’s an angel ^0^.”

“……”

Kang Jiwoo stared blankly at the screen.

Turning around, she looked for Han Seoyoung, tears welling up.

“T-the passengers… because of me… they all d-died….”

“Hahaha. It’s okay. You can try again. It’s just an experience.”

Her piloting was a bit clumsy, but it was cute, so it was okay!

The next activity was a journalism experience.

The article Kang Jiwoo wrote was displayed on the Kids Nation billboard.

(Breaking News) It is said that Sil Jjangping has gained weight!

(Breaking News) Directorping secretly picks his nose!

(Breaking News) Grandfather Ping’s breath smells terrible!

These articles were blatantly displayed, causing the party members to blush.

“Th-that’s not true! I didn’t gain that much weight!”

“Ahem. Does my breath really smell bad? I brush my teeth diligently.”

“You might want to quit either smoking or coffee.”

“Looks like I’ll have to get healthier because of our candidate…”

As jokes bounced around, another article appeared on the screen.

(Breaking News) Jiwoo Ping’s tongue is too short, causing controversy..!

“…Who wrote that article?”

“I don’t even need to look to know.”

Han Seoyoung sighed and dragged Bong Soohee out of the media experience center.

“Wait… I haven’t finished yet.”

“This is a children’s experience center! Why are you, the director, having so much fun here?”

“You should try it too. It’s fun.”

“Hurry up and follow me! Candidate, please come along as well! It’s time to head to the presidential experience center!”

“Yes…!”

President.

At that one word, Kang Jiwoo jumped to his feet.

A little while later, the newspapers written by the children were printed.

The headline on the largest front page was Kang Jiwoo’s article.

Breaking News) Candidate Kang Jiwoo has been elected president~ I’ll make all the Ping citizens happy~

It was an adorable article filled with heartfelt wishes.

—

Kids’ Nation Conference Room

Children dressed neatly in formal suits were gathered. At a glance, they were cute, pretty, and impressive.

Their sharp eyes sparkled with intelligence, exuding the aura of “perfect sons and daughters.”

The eldest chairperson (12 years old) spoke.

“Thank you, committee members, for gathering here despite your busy schedules.”

They were part of Kids’ Nation’s “Children’s Committee,” a group of top members and ambassadors who had risen through fierce competition.

Their duties varied: promoting events, filming videos, evaluating experience center content, and more.

This time, they were tasked with overseeing the presidential experience of the election candidate.

“Based on monitoring results, Kang Jiwoo seems to perform below average compared to children of the same age.”

“Is he just ordinary?”

“To be precise, he’s a little below average.”

“Disappointing…”

The chairperson clasped his hands on the desk.

His indifferent response prompted other committee members to comment.

“Hmph. If being cute were enough to become president, wouldn’t I, the adorable Ping Kim Yeo-ul, deserve the position instead?”

“Has that kid even participated in a math competition? During my three consecutive years as champion, I never heard his name.”

“As representatives of children, we must show who the real boss is. Oh, I’m sorry, I don’t know Korean well. Is English better?”

“I think… I’m from abroad.”

Thud…!

The chairperson slammed his palm on the desk and stood up.

“Very well. Let’s verify the presidential candidate’s qualifications.”

Kids’ Nation’s ultimate charisma, Na Young-jae.

His eyes gleamed with a menacing confidence that bordered on arrogance.

With a sly grin, he declared,

“Let’s compete to see who can make Kang Jiwoo cry first.”

The opponents in Kang Jiwoo’s presidential debate (experience) drew their metaphorical swords.