“…Wouldn’t hiring AI teachers in all elementary schools cost too much?”
“Not at all. AI chatbot technology has developed significantly. The cost can be sufficiently lowered through competitive bidding.”
“R-Really?”
Sojin’s debate skills were exceptional.
She knew so much that it was impossible to attack her recklessly.
Her logical and sharp arguments were so impressive that even adults couldn’t help but admire her.
“Aren’t we relying too much on technology?”
“We can’t resist technological advancement. Just like how the Luddites couldn’t stop the industrial revolution. Combining education and technology isn’t a choice; it’s a necessity for the future.”
What the heck is a Luddite? How does this kid even know about that? LOL.
This is seriously like watching a presidential debate in advance.
So, what’s a Luddite?
Some kind of movement, I think?
Leg workout?
Feels more like upper body.
Upper body for sure, LOL.
LMAO, same vote here.
“Do you have anything more to say?”
“……”
“Let’s all be quiet now! Quiet!!”
Sojin led the debate, leaving the children’s committee members completely speechless.
Her sharp and concise points made her the clear winner in everyone’s eyes.
It got to the point where some parents of the children’s committee members asked for the debate to be stopped.
While this was satisfying for Kang Jiwoo’s supporters,
“Stop it already! The kids are going to cry!”
Taking it too far can always backfire.
Thus, Kang Jiwoo began her closing statement.
“What’s more important than winning or losing is creating a better world…”
The closing statement was Kang Jiwoo’s ad-lib.
She hadn’t memorized this part.
“If I change first, I believe I can change the world too…”
Kang Jiwoo’s gaze shifted to the children’s committee members, who looked utterly deflated.
With a soft, forgiving look, she extended an olive branch.
“So, um… Do you want to play together after this?”
“……!”
Kids grow by fighting sometimes.
That way, they learn how to reconcile.
They also learn how not to fight.
And eventually, they might even learn how to love.
“Everyone, let’s give a big round of applause and cheers to our wonderful child candidates for their amazing debate!”
“Woohoo!”
“Great job, everyone!”
Clap clap clap!
The children all held hands and bowed in thanks.
Their expressions quickly brightened, and they ran off to the playground.
“Then I’ll be ‘it’ this time!”
“Okay! But Jiwoo and Sojin are younger, so let’s go easy on them!”
“Of course!”
The kids played together in the indoor playground, laughter and smiles never ceasing.
It was hard to believe these were the same kids who had been at each other’s throats moments ago.
After about 30 minutes of wild fun, Kang Jiwoo finally asked,
“So, Sojin… how did you get here?”
“Me? Director Bong Soohee called us. I almost couldn’t come because of my mom’s work, but the manager was understanding and let me come late.”
“Oh, I see…!”
Sojin was able to participate as a presidential candidate for Kid Nation thanks to Bong Soohee’s invitation.
Initially, Sojin’s mom had intended to decline.
She wanted Sojin to grow up normally, without being overly mature, just like any other child.
But Sojin had a dream.
“To be honest, I was scared too. I’ve never spoken in front of so many people before… I was trembling a lot earlier, wasn’t I?”
“No! You were amazing! Like royalty!”
For Sojin, this was a new challenge and a first step toward her dream.
“You were great too. I’m sure you’ll be president one day.”
“Heehee…!”
Just then, Na Youngjae raised a thumbs-up and shouted,
“Who wants to go to the department store for souvenirs? Gather here!”
“I don’t have money…”
“You can use Kid Coins to buy them!”
“Then I’m coming too…!”
The children headed to the department store.
Jiwoo and Sojin walked hand in hand, swinging their arms.
“Attention, citizens of Kid Nation! Voting for the president is now available on the Kid Nation app! Please cast your valuable vote and contribute to a mature democracy!”
All the party members cast their votes.
Of course, they all voted for Kang Jiwoo.
Even if it was just for a virtual presidency, who wouldn’t feel good about coming in first?
While waiting for the election results, Han Seoyoung and Bong Soohee bought ice cream.
“When did you recruit that kid again?”
“I just tried on a whim.”
“You didn’t deliberately plan her appearance at such a critical moment, did you?”
At this point, suspicion started to creep in.
Could Bong Soohee have even orchestrated Sojin’s perfectly timed appearance?
Was everything part of a well-scripted plan?
“Just lucky, I guess.”
“……”
Suddenly, Han Seoyoung felt relieved that Bong Soohee was on their side.
If she had been part of Choo Seoyoung or Yoo Hangseol’s camp, things might have been very different.
‘No, no. There’s no way someone as unpolished as Bong Soohee would be recruited by them.’
An advisory position was more like a political launchpad.
Skill mattered, but it wasn’t the most important factor.
What mattered more was loyalty to the party.
From that perspective, the Kang Jiwoo camp was revolutionary.
It completely disregarded existing political conventions.
Thanks to that, the party had come this far.
‘It was certainly a stroke of genius. Without Director Bong, the election would’ve been over long ago.’
Kang Jiwoo had an eye for people.
Han Seoyoung thought that was Kang Jiwoo’s true talent.
In the end, politics isn’t something you can do alone.
To expand influence and realize one’s vision, having an excellent eye for people is essential.
‘Though it’s a bit disappointing now…’
It would be unreasonable to expect such abilities from a young Kang Jiwoo.
“Look at Kang Jiwoo.”
“?
Bong Soohee’s gaze was fixed on the Kids Nation department store.
“Looks like they’re selling dolls or something?”
“Yeah, probably a souvenir shop.”
“Do you think the candidate is buying another Tanniping?”
Children emerged one by one, each holding a toy.
Kang Jiwoo came out last, empty-handed.
“Could she have given hers away again?”
Just like she gave her toy to Sojin, she might have handed over her coins this time, too.
It was a commendable act for a politician, but Han Seoyoung couldn’t help feeling upset.
“This is the kind of moment when it’s okay to buy something for yourself… She’s too mature for her age, and it worries me.”
“Looks like Jiwoo-ping is heading to the bank.”
“The bank?”
“Let’s go check it out.”
Kids Nation even had a children’s bank, a space to learn about saving and investing.
Kang Jiwoo handed over her Kids Coins with her tiny hands.
“Um, can I turn this into 10 billion…?”
“Haha, 10 billion might be a bit difficult, dear customer. But what do you need such a large amount for?”
“Well, because we don’t have money, our party pings keep fighting. So, I thought I’d earn money for them…”
It was an answer no one expected.
‘Oh my…!’
‘She’s too precious…’
Their hearts ached from the cuteness, and at the same time, they felt guilty and embarrassed.
It felt as if they had pressured this child into earning money.
“You won’t need to worry about money anymore, Candidate.”
“Why not?”
“Because we can issue a presidential fund now. Thanks to your efforts, we’ve reached the point where it’s possible.”
Once a candidate surpassed 15% in approval ratings, 100% of campaign expenses could be reimbursed.
This allowed prominent candidates to issue presidential funds to raise campaign money.
With her latest approval rating hitting 18%, Kang Jiwoo was now a leading contender.
Kang Ji-woo’s face lit up slightly as she tugged at Han Seoyoung’s sleeve.
“Siljangping, Siljangping, does that mean I’m a Royal Jiwooping now…?”
Han Seoyoung, who had been distracted, bent down to meet Kang Jiwoo’s gaze.
“No.”
“Still not a Royal Jiwooping…?”
“No, not yet.”
Han Seoyoung picked up Kang Jiwoo and turned her toward the other side of the bank, showing her the view of Kids Nation.
A giant screen.
Smaller screens displayed the same scene all over.
Even the Kids Nation app on smartphones showed the same message:
“The 1st President of Kids Nation! Kang Jiwoo is elected!”
“Not Jiwoo-ping. You’re now President Jiwoo-ping.”
“Wow…!”
Kang Jiwoo’s mouth hung open.
At first, she smiled brightly, but soon,
“……”
Her smile faded.
Gradually widening her eyes.
A mouth slowly opening in astonishment.
Seriousness settled on her small, cute face.
What could this child be thinking?
Even without knowing, Kang Jiwoo looked as if she were standing before a grand destiny.
Transparent tears welled up in her eyes.
“President…”
Soon, the screen changed.
The scene reverted to the usual lively atmosphere of Kidz Nation.
It was as if becoming president had been nothing more than a dream.
Rubbing, rubbing.
Kang Jiwoo pretended to rub her eyes, wiping away her tears.
“Candidate, are you tired?”
“Yes… but I’m okay…”
“I think it’d be best for you to go home and rest today.”
Han Seoyoung walked while holding Kang Jiwoo in her arms.
Kang Jiwoo waved her hand to the kids she had been playing with.
“Bye-bye. See you next time.”
Her friends waved back at her.
—
Title: Summary of Yesterday’s Kids Debate.jpg
(Kang Jiwoo’s opening statement captured)
??? : “For the happiness of the people, abuse and sadism are important, chu!”
(Lee Sojin’s appearance captured)
??? : “The debate will be handled by my friend, chu!”
??? : “Kill them all, chu!!”
Abuse? Sadism? What even is this, lololol.
Suddenly, why kill them, though, lololol.
She really did attack hearts with cuteness.
Rofl, that was unbelievably adorable…
—
Title: Shin Jiwoo Just Does Everything.jpg
Jiwoo Normalized the country, didn’t she?
Jiwoo Even launched a challenge.
Totally destroyed it, didn’t she?…
Damn it! She just did everything, didn’t she?!
(Are you going to vote for her for the fifth time now?)
Shin Jiwoo’s reputation is insane, lololol.
—
4. Jiwooping Isn’t Shin; She’s Kang!
If you don’t vote for her for the fifth time, you’re not human.
This— If you bastards don’t show up at the voting booth, I’ll really kill you all. South Korea.
—
Title: Jiwooping… Are You Even the Strongest in Debates?
Who could’ve predicted she’d summon a friend to overcome this crisis?
Sojinping, let’s just tackle TV debates together…
—
4. Sojinping’s entrance yesterday felt like something out of a movie.
It was genuinely moving, lol.
This is why I don’t go to the cinema, smh.
Sojinping… seriously dependable. Looks like she’d crush even a giant with ease.
—
The campaign drew an unusually heated reaction this time.
Particularly among supporters, Lee Sojin’s entrance gained massive popularity.
It was as if it had been perfectly timed for a cinematic moment.
Even the conclusion was flawless.
—
Title: Jiwooping’s Politics Have Emotion
(GIF of Kang Jiwoo playing with children)
Honestly, I found the other kids in the debate so annoying.
It was obvious they’d coordinated their answers beforehand.
When that didn’t work, they suddenly started pulling out math and English questions, which was just pathetic…
But what was truly amazing was that Jiwooping embraced them.
In her closing remarks, she said what we need to be happy is a good mindset and invited the competing kids to play together with her.
That image was genuinely touching.
From Jiwooping’s great adventures to this kids’ debate…
She seems more mature than most adults.
Honestly… I just wish Kang Jiwoo would become president already.
If she loses, I’m looking for people to join an armed protest…
Let’s stage a coup and establish Kang Jiwoo’s dictatorship…
That’s the only hope for South Korea…
—
“Rofl, great until the last dictator drifts…”
“Are you insane?”
“But honestly, Jiwooping’s dictatorship feels tempting.”
—
With only three days left until the televised debate, Kang Jiwoo’s approval rating rose again, reaching a peak of 19.3%.
The atmosphere within and outside the party was heating up.
At least until that article surfaced.
—
Interview with a key figure of the Future Marriage Gingko Korea Party: “Kang Jiwoo’s debate performance is at a preschooler level. The party will collapse after the TV debate.”
It was an anonymous interview from a party insider.
The internal strife had begun.