Chapter 32: The Greatest Political Show in History

“Han Seoyoung ended up messing things up.”

On the morning of the debate day, Yoo Hangcheol muttered those words as he got into the car.

His secretary, who was holding the wheel, asked,

“Did something happen already?”

“Nothing happened, which is the problem. She missed the perfect timing for a unity deal.”

Yoo Hangcheol had proposed forming an alliance with Kang Jiwoo. 

He hadn’t been optimistic about the possibility, considering Kang Jiwoo’s steadily rising approval ratings.

“But wouldn’t Kang Jiwoo’s popularity fade after today’s debate anyway? Then, wouldn’t you be able to negotiate better terms for unity later?”

“True.”

“Then isn’t this actually a good thing? Why the dark expression?”

“Kang Jiwoo has an eye for people. I was curious about what kind of eccentrics he might have gathered.”

If they had united before the debate, Yoo Hangcheol would have had to concede more positions to Kang Jiwoo’s party, meaning he would have to work with the talents chosen by Kang Jiwoo.

“In that case, wouldn’t meeting them after winning the election suffice?”

“My friend, do you think a president is some kind of emperor? There’s a limit to how much you can do as you please.”

In Korea, no one gets to do everything they want, not even the president.

“Even when you talk about cooperation and appointing talents from other parties, it takes a toll. If unity had been achieved before the debate, it would’ve given us a justifiable reason, so I wouldn’t have to expend my energy later.”

A hundred politicians mean a hundred different opinions. That’s what makes politics so complicated.

“I see… May I ask one thing?”

“Hm?”

“Why do you think Kang Jiwoo’s camp made this decision? What do they gain from participating in the debate? Why would they pass up such a good opportunity for unity?”

“It’s nothing special.”

Yoo Hangcheol pulled out a ginseng extract packet from his pocket, tore it open, and sucked out every drop before continuing.

“Their young team is high on approval ratings and can’t think straight. If you were in their shoes, you’d probably be just as stupid.”

“Haha. I wouldn’t make that mistake. But more importantly, sir, how’s your condition today?”

“What does it matter if I’m a bit off? My opponents are Cho Seoyoung and Kang Jiwoo.”

In his eyes, Kang Jiwoo’s intelligence was on par with an elementary schooler. 

Losing a debate to an elementary schooler?

“If that happens, I might as well retire.”

It would be hard to lose even if he tried. That left only Cho Seoyoung as a real opponent.

“Cho Seoyoung doesn’t stand a chance against me anyway. There’s even a rumor she’s been sick and on medication lately. What if she collapses today… Ugh!”

Screeeeech!

The car came to a sudden halt.

“What the hell?!”

“…Sorry, sir. The car ahead stopped suddenly.”

“For heaven’s sake.”

He swallowed down a curse.

No need to waste energy before the debate.

As long as he performed well, he would win. Unless something catastrophic happened, there was no room for surprises.

—

“Hasn’t the revised strategy material arrived yet?”

Cho Seoyoung snapped sharply, her voice tense.

Three women were busy doing her hair and makeup.

“Uh, pardon? Which material are you referring to?”

“The debate material! Were you asleep during the morning meeting? How much time is left until the TV debate, and you’re still not prepared?”

“Oh! I’ll contact the office immediately!”

Her strategy manager hurriedly left the room.

“Hah.”

A sigh escaped her lips. Even on the day of the debate, things were far from organized. Between getting ready from early morning and dealing with her uncooperative team, the stress was overwhelming.

“Finished.”

“Thank you.”

As soon as she stepped out, her aides surrounded her.

“Ma’am, here’s the policy document for The Daily Times. Please review it.”

“Kang Jiwoo’s camp released new policy material. Please familiarize yourself with it, and we’ll bring you a response plan as soon as it’s ready.”

“Ten minutes ago, Yoo Hangcheol directly attacked you on social media. Should we respond right away?”

“…”

The deluge of demands felt like a crushing weight.

Calm down…

Cho Seoyoung was the frontrunner. Though the lead wasn’t large, the burden of being in first place was immense.

“Let’s discuss this while walking.”

She left the building and strolled down the street.

Then, suddenly, a lukewarm liquid poured over her from above.

Splat!

“Ahhh!”

“What the… What is this?!”

“Protect the candidate! Security!!”

But it was already too late.

Cho Seoyoung’s hair and clothes were soaked, reeking of coffee. A plastic cup rolled on the ground.

It seemed as if someone had thrown leftover coffee from a building above.

“Representative! Hurry, get out of the way!”

Cho Seoyoung got into the car.

“I’ll prepare a new outfit. I’ve also called the hair and makeup artist again, so please don’t worry too much.”

“…Let’s just go already.”

The destination was the office.

The plan was to compile materials, have a final discussion, and organize the script before the debate.

Unexpectedly, the scene in front of the office was hectic.

Party members were busy cleaning something off.

“Ah, Representative… you’ve arrived….”

Red spray paint covered the office door with obscene insults directed at Cho Seoyoung.

“Which bastard did something like this…? We’ll clean it off by lunchtime.”

“There’s no time for that. Let’s start the meeting.”

Even amid chaos, the meeting had to proceed.

It was the final strategic meeting before the debate.

However, focusing was harder than expected.

Her chest felt tight, her stomach churned, and she felt short of breath.

‘What am I doing here…?’

A question that lingered in her mind like a tumor.

What am I here for?

Why am I standing here, enduring insults from people?

Despite being the leading presidential candidate, dealing with constant threats of terror had become routine.

‘Do people who have never met me hate me enough to want me dead? Is it because I’m unlikable…?’

The “Unlikable Candidate.”

A label that always followed Cho Seoyoung.

She couldn’t pinpoint exactly when it started.

At first, she tried to shake it off, but once an image solidifies, it doesn’t change easily.

“Representative? Are you okay?”

“You don’t look well.”

“Hey, someone get the medicine!”

Her condition worsened. She could barely breathe.

The concerned faces of the party members around her seemed distorted.

‘These people will probably curse me behind my back too.’

It felt as though they held daggers behind their worried expressions.

Exhausted by overwhelming helplessness and fear, she lost her strength.

Only after taking the medicine her secretary brought did she regain composure.

“Representative…”

“I’m fine. Don’t touch me. Let’s just get on with the debate prep.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to rest?”

“Who has time to rest? The debate is in three hours.”

Even if it felt like suffocating to death, retreat wasn’t an option.

‘How far have I come to stop now…?’

Once today’s debate ended, this crisis would pass.

She could solidify her position as the frontrunner.

‘I’m not the only one feeling stressed. Other candidates must be nervous too. Especially Kang Jiwoo, that guy…’

Kang Jiwoo, a child in elementary school.

By now, he must be trembling like a stray dog in the rain.

At least her situation was better than his, and she found some solace in that.

“Overflowing with love, Heochu Ping Time…!”

She shouted while looking in the mirror.

She even mimicked the gesture the main character of TanniPing made during her transformation.

“Filling hearts! Love’s Princess Heart…!”

This was the phrase shouted during the transformation scene.

At that moment, she was transforming into a princess, taking advantage of the moment of solitude.

“Piripiri! Debate Cream…!”

She seemed to believe that chanting this would help her perform better in the debate.

Honestly, it was fun, but she was scared someone might see her.

Knock, knock.

“Eek…!”

Startled by the knocking, she quickly sat down in her chair.

“Hello~ Sorry to keep you waiting!”

“No…”

It was the makeup artist.

While she was briefly away from the restroom, Cho Seoyoung had transformed into the Princess of Love.

The makeup artist patted her face with powder and asked, “The debate is starting soon. Are you nervous?”

“Not really. Because I’ve practiced a lot. I’m good at debates.”

“Haha, you’re so brave and amazing~”

Her confidence, fueled by her youthful appearance, was at an all-time high.

It was the result of extensive practice.

Of course, this confidence would likely shatter during the actual debate.

In real debates, simply reading the script isn’t enough.

Still, starting with confidence wasn’t a bad thing.

On a separate note, her heart felt lighter.

Typically, she was more nervous before and after debates, but once they started, she calmed down.

Besides—

‘Bong Soohee’s plan seems reliable.’

She was reassured by the strategy they had prepared.

Until yesterday, she wasn’t sure, but after repeatedly running simulations, she could see it.

This plan had a high chance of success.

‘To think they came up with such a strategy.’

Bong Soohee clearly knew what they were doing.

She had lost count of how many times she was grateful for bringing them on board.

“Candidate, how are you feeling? Good?”

“Yes, I’m good…”

Han Seoyoung and Bong Soohee.

I waited with the two of them in the waiting room for the live broadcast to begin.

There were less than 30 minutes left now.

Soon, we’d head to the studio.

“Siljangping, Siljangping… I need to pee…”

“Now? Go quickly!”

Grabbing Han Seoyoung’s hand, I dashed to the bathroom.

I entered a stall alone.

Lowering the toilet lid, I sat down on it.

Truthfully, I didn’t come because I needed to pee.

From my pocket, I took out Dolly.

Dolly, my dolphin toy. My best friend. I whispered to it.

“Dolly, cheer me on.”

Click click click.

I wound up the toy.

Dolly wagged its tail in response.

“Don’t worry! I’ll go with you!”

“Really?”

“Yep! I’m your friend!”

“Thanks, Dolly~”

Of course, it was my solo performance.

You know how when you’re young, you have imaginary friends?

Dolly was like that for me now.

‘Strong as the heart of a dolphin!’

Oddly enough, whispering to Dolly always filled me with courage.

For this young body, Dolly felt far more reliable than Arcturus Mengsk ever did.

“Are you done yet, Candidate?”

“Yes, I’m done!”

Gripping Han Seoyoung’s hand with my right hand and Bong Soohee’s with my left, I headed to the studio.

I reviewed the script for a final push, checking the documents with anticipated questions and answers.

“I’ll attach your mic now.”

A staff member approached to fix the mic.

Across the room, I could see the faces of the other candidates—Yoo Hangcheol and Cho Seoyoung.

Seeing their faces made the upcoming debate feel real.

It was time to part ways with Han Seoyoung and Bong Soohee.

“Candidate! Fighting!”

“Jiwooping, we’ll cheer for you from here.”

“Peery-peery, Debate Cream…!”

“Huh?”

I responded with a magical incantation instead.

Holding Dolly tightly in one hand, I entered the studio.

“So this is what it feels like to send your child to the water alone…”

“Wipe your nosebleed.”

“Oh.”

Bong Soohee handed me a tissue.

Han Seoyoung stopped the bleeding.

“Don’t worry too much. Jiwooping will do well.”

“…Yes, I believe so too. It’s time to use this.”

They were planning to cheer me on in costume again today.

“Can’t you wash it before bringing it?”

“There wasn’t enough time. Just bear with it for today.”

Since it was a studio, they couldn’t shout, but it would still bring Kang Jiwoo a bit of reassurance.

Other party members were barred from entering.

Instead, they gathered in front of the office TV.

Everyone clapped their hands, waiting for the broadcast to begin.

Park Seokji shouted to them.

“Alright, everyone! Start the 3-3-7 cheer!”

Clap, clap, clap, Kang Jiwoo! Clap, clap, clap, Kang Jiwoo! Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, win!

Under Park Seokji’s lead, a cheer battle unfolded.

It was reminiscent of the fervor during the World Cup.

That’s how sincere the party members were.

And they weren’t the only ones cheering.

“Sojin! Jiwoo just appeared!”

“Really?! Ugh, I was in the bathroom at the worst time…!”

Lee Sojin.

And the committee kids.

Chairman Na Youngjae couldn’t make it due to scheduling issues, but the other kids gathered.

“Oh! She’s on again! Jiwoo, fighting!”

“Kang Jiwoo, win!!”

“Defeat the adults as the representative of children!!”

“Wow! Those cool clothes today! It means ‘feeling so good’!”

Similar cheer battles were unfolding in other places too.

Each candidate’s campaign,

members of the New Wind Democratic Party,

members of the National Republican Party,

citizens supporting a particular candidate,

citizens who supported no one,

those who consumed Kang Jiwoo merely as a meme,

mysterious Japanese individuals who appeared on the internet at some point,

foreign fans like Elon Mengsk, who had nothing to do with the South Korean presidential election—

Everyone was focused on the debate.

Gulp—

Before entering the studio,

Cho Seyoung took a pill.

As Yoo Hangcheol passed by, he made a remark.

“Representative Cho, taking diet pills? Seeing you gain weight recently, it seems you do need to manage yourself.”

“…Making provocations even before we begin? You must be feeling uneasy.”

“Ha ha. Me? Uneasy? You sure know how to joke.”

“Anyway, let’s do our best. I wish you luck.”

“I always do well. Focus on yourself instead.”

“That old geezer…”

The two candidates entered the studio.

With that, all the presidential candidates were seated.

Finally,

the red light on the camera began to glow.

“Good evening. This is anchor Yoo Juhwan, hosting the Xth presidential debate…”

As the program began, live viewers’ chats flooded in.

“It’s starting!”

“Let’s gooooo~~~~~~”

“Cheers to everyone’s enthusiastic support!”

“Let’s kick this off~~~~~~~~~~~~~”

“Here we gooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!”

The second televised presidential debate.

The curtain rose on the largest political show in history.