Chapter 34: Let’s Praise

Bong Soohee’s suggested debate strategy:

It was a “charming attitude.”

What exactly is a charming attitude?

The most intuitive aspects are the visible ones.

For instance, clothing.

“A full children’s suit set.”

A proper suit with a tie.

The sight of a formally dressed child is enough to make people smile.

Add a bit of behavior to that, and the impact becomes exponentially stronger.

“Hello~”

Before the live broadcast began,

I bowed and greeted each studio staff member individually.

“Ah, hello~”

“My goodness, you’re even cuter in person.”

“You’re smaller than I thought. You look like a pink chick. Haha.”

A child in a suit bowing politely.

Even the grumpiest person would find it hard to ignore.

Of course, none of this was caught on camera.

The live broadcast hadn’t started yet, and filming inside the studio was prohibited.

Doesn’t that make it meaningless?

Not at all.

“This is all part of the build-up.”

Debates are all about momentum.

And the most crucial factor in determining momentum is undoubtedly the debater’s ability.

But if there’s a second most important factor, it’s

“the audience.”

The audience’s preferences and who they support can significantly influence the outcome of the debate.

No matter how eloquent a speaker is, they won’t perform well in front of 1,000 people who dislike them.

In other words, my actions were about winning over the audience.

“Honestly, I hadn’t considered this before.”

When preparing for debates, most people think only of materials and scripts.

For a debater, well-organized materials and scripts are like swords and spears.

Audience management, on the other hand, is typically handled by the broadcasting company, not politicians.

Moreover, this debate didn’t have citizen attendees.

The only “audience” consisted of the staff,

making it seem irrelevant from a politician’s perspective.

But Bong Soohee was different.

“Maybe it’s because she used to shoot commercials; her ideas are unique.”

Cynically, she could be called shrewd.

Optimistically, she could be called innovative.

Either way, it was undoubtedly the best strategy for me.

“Hello~ I’m Kang Jiwoo~ Nice to meet you all~”

I greeted every studio staff member with enthusiasm.

Of course, I also greeted the presidential candidates.

Yoo Hangcheol, whom I’d met before, chuckled warmly, while Cho Seoyoung gave a curt nod with a forced smile.

And then came the live broadcast.

Even as the other candidates presented their pledges, my “charming attitude” continued.

“…!”

Clenching the fists tightly and raising my eyebrows into a V-shape as I attentively listened to the other candidates!

Isn’t attentive listening obvious?

Surprisingly, it isn’t.

In debates, participants often predict what their opponents will say.

This is especially true during opening statements or policy explanations, where they typically recite what’s written in their manifestos.

During this time, most candidates focus on preparing their counterattacks.

They select their “weapons” in response to expected arguments and get ready to strike.

But I didn’t need to do that.

“I don’t have the ability to ask questions!”

If I tried to attack with my elementary-level intellect,

I’d end up being counterattacked, having my words twisted, and ultimately getting overwhelmed.

So, I decided not to attack.

Instead, I focused on listening.

This was the most serious and charming attitude I could display as a child.

“I aim to reform our military culture by improving the living conditions in barracks…”

Nod, nod.

I had no idea what it meant, but I nodded along.

I even occasionally picked up a pen and pretended to take notes, doodling instead.

I made it look like I was doing my best to concentrate.

In reality, this required immense mental effort.

The urge to slack off constantly tempted me.

For example:

“Beep-boop beep-boop…”

I suddenly murmured to myself.

“….”

Thankfully, my voice was quiet enough that no one heard it.

Up to this point, it was all trivial details.

The real punch was just about to begin.

“If I become president, I will introduce a children’s savings account!”

A policy to save 100 won (roughly 10 cents) every day for children.

Who’s going to use those coins?

Isn’t it ineffective?

All valid points.

But what are you going to do about it?

“……!”

Everyone was holding back laughter with bright smiles, charmed by the childlike promises.

How are you going to criticize this?

“If I become president, I will draw a daily diary and show it to the citizens..!”

The idea of reporting presidential activities through adorable drawings.

“I will also create a cheering box and take out a cheer note every day to encourage the citizens…!”

A plan to support people’s day with cuteness.

“I will make a promise stamp board and stamp it every time I keep a pledge!”

A vow to fulfill promises just to collect stamps!

How are you supposed to attack such a cute and endearing proposal?

The studio atmosphere had completely shifted in my favor.

While the rival candidates hardened their expressions, the anchor and staff failed to manage their faces, responding with visible delight.

This was the payoff of the groundwork I had laid in advance.

“Candidate Yoo Hangcheol, would you like to ask a question?”

“Haha. What is there to question about what the kid is saying? It’s adorable.”

As expected, Yoo Hangcheol.

He probed lightly, sensed the cold response, and smoothly withdrew.

It was a wise decision, showcasing his experience.

In contrast, Cho Seoyoung chose a different path.

“Candidate Kang Jiwoo, can you handle the duties alone? If you become president, you’ll need to engage in diplomacy. Can you discuss foreign relations with world leaders?”

She launched a direct attack.

Unlike Yoo Hangcheol, she seemed to opt for a head-on approach.

It didn’t seem like a particularly good strategy, though.

“I…I can….”

“Will the citizens entrust the nation to someone like this?”

Good, good.

Keep going! Keep digging your own grave!

“It’s clear to everyone watching—Candidate Kang Jiwoo’s promises aren’t serious. Such an unqualified candidate…”

I could almost hear Cho Seoyoung’s approval ratings dropping!

The debate was immensely satisfying.

All I needed now was a perfect closing statement to seal the deal.

I could vividly imagine my approval ratings breaking the 20% mark.

But then, an unexpected incident occurred.

Yoo Hangcheol launched a negative campaign against Jo Seyoung.

“Candidate Cho Seyoung, do you know Kim Chuja, the former director of Green Welfare? Just answer with yes or no.”

“Whether I know her or not has nothing to do with this…”

“Just yes or no! Why is your answer so lengthy? Are you lying?”

He persistently dug into Cho Seoyoung’s alleged illegal campaign fund scandal.

She was backed into a corner.

Her pale face and incessant sweat betrayed her frazzled state.

Anyone could see her mind was in chaos.

“Answer properly! You publicly claimed to donate, yet the money went back to your office! And Kim Chuja laundered that money, didn’t she? Answer this—do you know Kim Chuja or not?”

“Well, that’s, I mean, those are baseless accusations from YouTubers…”

“Stop deflecting! Just say whether you know her or not!”

The atmosphere was practically a police interrogation.

Cho Seoyoung’s complexion grew increasingly ashen.

Watching this unfold, I felt an uncontrollable urge rising.

“But… but you see…”

“?”

It was an impulse so strong I couldn’t even stop myself.

Before I realized it, I was already speaking.

Why was I so desperate to say something now?

Was it because Cho Seyoung had attacked me earlier?

Did I intend to gang up on her with Yoo Hangcheol?

No! Stop!!

If I do that, my lovable image will be completely ruined!!!

Yoo Hangcheol kept pressing relentlessly, and Cho Seyoung was visibly disoriented.

‘This was a predictable attack. She just needs to stick to the prepared script.’

Her breath was ragged, and her hands were trembling.

Sweat glued the paper to her hands, adding to her frustration.

She couldn’t even read the notes she had prepared.

Her mind had already gone blank, making any improvisation impossible.

“Hah, hah…”

The worst part was that her symptoms were worsening.

The debate was only halfway through.

If she were to break down here, concerns over her health as a presidential candidate would inevitably arise.

‘That would be the end…!’

I could vividly foresee her approval ratings plummeting.

If that happened, her influence within the party would weaken.

The people who had once flattered her with smiles and sycophantic gestures would all turn their knives against her.

Her trembling hands reached for a water bottle, but she lacked the strength to open the cap.

In the end, she had to set the bottle down.

“Why can’t you answer?”

The relentless pressure from Yoo Hangcheol continued.

Today, I had completely fallen into that old man’s pace.

Thanks to that, I failed to grasp the flow of the debate and ended up attacking Kang Jiwoo.

‘It’s over…’

It was a disaster.

A complete and utter disaster.

I could already feel it in my bones.

My vision blurred.

Even when I tried to open my eyes properly, I couldn’t focus.

Yoo Hangcheol’s face, pressing in on me, distorted like that of a demon.

‘I can’t hold on any longer…?’

I felt unbearably dizzy.

At that moment, when it felt like I was about to collapse—

“But… but you see…”

“?”

Kang Jiwoo suddenly interjected.

“Ah, Candidate Kang Jiwoo. Do you have something to say?”

“Yes, I do…”

“Then I’ll give you the opportunity to speak.”

At this, Yoo Hangcheol snapped.

“Aren’t you even going to finish hearing me out?”

“Candidate Yoo Hangcheol, you’ve already used all of Candidate Kang Jiwoo’s allotted question time for today. Since she’s requesting her first chance to ask a question, I’ll grant her the opportunity in the interest of fairness.”

“Hmph…”

Kang Jiwoo, who had never used her question time before, was finally stepping forward.

What could she possibly want to say?

Was even a child planning to ridicule me now?

If I couldn’t respond to Kang Jiwoo’s question, then—

‘It’s not just about the presidential race. My entire political career could be at stake…’

Cho Seoyoung would suffer irreparable damage.

“I…”

At last, Kang Jiwoo opened her mouth.

What came out of that small mouth was something Cho Seoyoung couldn’t have imagined in his wildest dreams.

“I want to… praise Candidate Cho Seoyoung.”

“?”

“My grandma… she said Candidate Cho Seoyoung was an amazing prosecutor… really kind, really warm, and really… really incredible.”

“???”

Grandma?

Who is she talking about?

No, more importantly, why was Kang Jiwoo suddenly defending me?

Cho Seoyoung couldn’t understand what was happening.