Chapter 38: Let’s Go Buy Colorful Clothes

The popular entertainment show Young Quiz.

During the presidential election period, candidates were invited to appear.

1st place Cho Seoyoung and 2nd place Yoo Hangcheol had already finished filming.

Cho Seoyoung’s episode had even aired.

Meanwhile, 3rd place Kang Jiwoo hadn’t even been approached for an appearance.

The reason being:

“You want us to scrap this too? That means half the footage is wasted!”

“Can’t we rely on PD Lee’s divine editing skills to make it work? Haha.”

“Do you think this is funny?”

“Please help us out. We’re out of options here. It’s better for everyone if we avoid unnecessary conflict, isn’t it?”

“No, but after shooting everything, you’re saying this now… sigh.”

The candidate had gone on at length, but when it came to airing the footage, they refused to let it be broadcast, even throwing in subtle threats.

It was maddening.

The difference was only in degree—both Cho Seoyoung and Yoo Hangcheol were similar.

The incident left the entire team disillusioned with politicians.

“Should we invite Kang Jiwoo?”

“Don’t. I’m sick of those Yeouido folks.”

“But wouldn’t it be better for fairness?”

“His approval rating isn’t even 10%. Let’s just skip it.”

At the time, Kang Jiwoo was pre-TS (transformational surge).

His approval rating hovered around 6%.

He wasn’t a hot topic, so they let it slide.

Then Kang Jiwoo went through TS and became Jiwooping.

He embarked on a bold adventure and reduced his opponent to tears during a presidential debate.

“GYAAAH! Get Jiwooping! Do whatever it takes to book him!”

The Young Quiz team now desperately wanted Kang Jiwoo.

“Cho Seoyoung’s episode tanked the ratings! If we air Yoo Hangcheol’s episode this week, it might hit an all-time low! But with Jiwooping, we can turn it around…!”

“Jiwooping! Jiwooping!”

With Cho Seoyoung and Yoo Hangcheol dragging ratings to rock bottom, the conclusion was clear: Kang Jiwoo was their savior.

“Let’s append it to Yoo Hangcheol’s episode. If this week’s footage airs as-is, it’ll be a disaster.”

“But can we make it in time? Even if we shoot tomorrow, there are only four days for editing.”

“We’ll make it work no matter what!”

Just as determination filled the room, a junior writer cautiously spoke.

“Actually, there was a previous request to appear…”

“From Kang Jiwoo’s side?”

“Yes. But I declined it…”

“…Why?”

“Because the PD said to stop booking politicians…”

“Ugh…”

The PD groaned in agony.

The head writer tried to console him.

“Why worry so much? Honestly, they’re just as desperate for approval ratings as we are. Do you think they’ll skip us just because we turned them down once?”

“…You think so?”

Young Quiz was a powerful program.

They could even push back against the demands of Cho Seoyoung and Yoo Hangcheol.

For a candidate with lower approval ratings, the program would naturally hold the upper hand.

“Let’s start by setting a shoot schedule.”

“We need to book him first before scheduling anything.”

“Match his availability. Promise him plenty of airtime and say we’ll make him the main feature.”

“Will that work?”

“Our team has worked too hard the past two weeks. If we can’t adjust the schedule, we might end up pulling all-nighters for three weeks straight.”

It wasn’t that they disliked Kang Jiwoo.

They just had their own struggles.

“True. They probably don’t know the station’s circumstances, so we should approach this firmly…”

It was a typical power struggle in business.

“It’s a Young Quiz! Amazing, right?!”

“If it’s a Young Quiz, that’s fantastic!”

“In terms of buzz, it’s the best among TV variety shows!”

Everyone clapped in celebration.

I joined in, clapping enthusiastically with my small hands.

Song Yeon’s secretary, brimming with excitement, continued.

“They said the shoot is urgent, so they want us at the studio tomorrow morning at 7 a.m. I said okay for now, but we do have another schedule then.”

Wait.

Tomorrow morning?

That’s too sudden.

“Tomorrow morning… isn’t that when the 9 a.m. news pre-interview recording is scheduled?”

“Yes, but Young Quiz has more impact than the news, so I thought it’d be better to cancel.”

“Hmm, that’s true.”

Han Seoyoung nodded in agreement.

Between the 9 a.m. news and Young Quiz, the choice was obvious: Young Quiz.

The news targeted older viewers, while Young Quiz appealed to all demographics.

However…

“Haah, do young folks lack loyalty these days? No matter how great Young Quiz is, canceling a day before is just rude. A promise is a promise.”

Even Park Seokji’s words had a point.

The situation was not ordinary, especially with the election looming.

Even if the Young Quiz appearance became a hot topic, there was a chance it could create an image of being a candidate who takes promises lightly.

“But to win the election, the best choice is necessary. Loyalty doesn’t increase approval ratings.”

“I disagree. There are plenty of other programs where the schedule could be adjusted. There’s no need to appear there.”

“You just don’t understand, Representative Park. Once you go on that show, the video will trend on YouTube, and Shorts will be circulated like crazy.”

“Ahem…”

But the influence of Young Quiz couldn’t be ignored either.

Just then, Bong Soohee appeared out of nowhere and spoke in a weak voice.

“I’ll take care of it.”

“Director Bong? What are you going to do?”

Park Seokji looked at her with suspicion.

Ignoring him, Bong Soohee picked up the office phone.

With the help of Secretary Song Yeon, she got connected.

“Hello? This is Kang Jiwoo’s office. I’m calling about the Young Quiz filming schedule~ Yes, yes~”

“……!”

The party members were surprised twice.

First, that Bong Soohee could speak so properly to someone.

“Director Bong is so coherent when she talks on the phone…”

“Amazing.”

“Well… it makes sense, considering she used to work in a company until recently.”

“She was like that when she first joined us too.”

“Really…?”

They reacted as if it made sense.

After all, Bong Soohee wasn’t actually a Tibetan fox or a sloth.

She was just another person like them, capable of handling things properly.

But the real surprise came next.

“That time doesn’t work~ Yes, yes. Oh well, it can’t be helped~ Thank you~”

Click.

The call ended just like that.

“???”

Did she just refuse Young Quiz?

“D-Director Bong? What just happened?”

“I turned it down.”

“What? Why…? How could you… without even discussing it?”

“They’ll call back. No worries.”

“What gives you such confidence?”

Fortunately, Bong Soohee wasn’t just bluffing.

She had a solid reason to back it up.

“I planted a spy on their side.”

“A spy…?!”

As expected, she had a knack for shocking people.

Bong Soohee: Seonghoon ping

Bong Soohee: How’s the atmosphere over there?

The “spy” was none other than Young Quiz’s floor director, Park Seonghoon.

He was exchanging messages with Bong Soohee.

Park Seonghoon: Everyone’s on edge after pulling all-nighters for two weeks.

Park Seonghoon: They’ll probably push hard.

Park Seonghoon: But they can’t outright reject you.

Bong Soohee: Oh. Then can I push hard too?

Park Seonghoon:

Park Seonghoon: But don’t go too hard.

Park Seonghoon: They’ve had bad experiences with politicians and are out for blood… haha.

Bong Soohee: lol

Park Seonghoon provided Bong Soohee with the internal atmosphere of the team, allowing her to negotiate advantageously.

He and Bong Soohee had worked together several times before.

Each time, Park Seonghoon had felt one thing.

“I need to stay on good terms with Director Bong.”

Bong Soohee was a highly capable person.

Her methods were quick, concise, and accurate.

Yet, the results were always top-notch.

Park Seonghoon believed that whatever she did, she would succeed.

If he built a connection with her now, she might save him from a crisis someday.

Bong Soohee: Negotiation successful V^^V

Bong Soohee: Let’s grab a meal sometime.

Park Seonghoon: Haha, I’ll be waiting.

Part of it was his consideration of his relationship with Bong Soohee.

But there was another reason.

Park Seonghoon opened YouTube.

He played a video titled:

[Kang Jiwoo Debate Highlights]

“Even children are citizens…!”

“Sniffle! Jiwooping is so amazing..! Please become president…!!”

Park Seonghoon was an avid fan of Kang Jiwoo!

The thought of seeing Kang Jiwoo in person soon made him smile from ear to ear.

The scheduling issue was resolved.

The party members dispersed to resume their tasks, and I, too, prepared for the next schedule.

Today’s schedule?

A street campaign!

“Candidate, how are you feeling?”

“I wasn’t feeling great earlier, but now I’m fine! Because I had some medicine…!”

“That’s a relief! Today, while campaigning in the streets…”

“Then can I meet Grandma…?”

“You will meet her.”

“No, not Yeongpo Market. We’re going somewhere else.”

“I thought I could eat Sundae guk (Korean blood sausage soup) today…”

“I’ll bring you some next time. Promise.”

“Promise!”

Han Seoyoung linked her pinky finger with mine.

Today’s campaign area was rather extensive.

We planned to tour around downtown Seoul in a truck, meeting citizens.

It was expected to be an exhausting schedule.

Even more so with this young body—it would surely be tough.

But what choice do I have?

Just chug a bottle of Heochu Ping Milk and power through!

Still, thinking about the rising approval ratings these days gave me strength.

Every time I woke up, the ratings seemed to grow.

Once I surpassed Yoo Hangcheol, I couldn’t wait to see how he would react.

Of course, Jiwooping’s body seemed more excited about appearing on Young Quiz than the political race.

“When I show up on TV~ It’ll be so great~ It’ll be so great~”

The tune of a childhood song, which had accompanied me during quiet commutes, spilled out uncontrollably.

“Candidate, how about singing later and getting dressed first?”

“Okay! When I show up on TV~…”

I was enthusiastically singing while preparing to go out when Bong Soohee interrupted me with a back scratcher in hand.

“But why does Jiwooping wear the same clothes every day?”

“This is the only suit I have… Still, isn’t it fine for now?”

“Wearing the same outfit every day is a waste of your looks. You’re about to debut as a TV star, but this is too dull.”

I hate to say it myself, but my charm comes from my cuteness.

Preparing various outfits was a strategic necessity.

The problem was… our party was still broken.

“We don’t have money. Director Goo Doseok is only just now preparing to issue the campaign fund.”

Soon enough, we’d escape this poverty.

With approval ratings at 20%, once the funds were issued, money wouldn’t be an issue anymore.

But until then, we had to tighten our belts.

Bong Soohui scratched her back absentmindedly and said,

“Aren’t you spending money while campaigning anyway? Why not use that money to buy clothes?”

“Are you talking about spending money on food and stuff? Even the campaign expenses don’t give more than 50,000 won per day for the candidate.”

“That’s more than enough to get two complete outfits, head to toe.”

“What? How…?”

What absurd plan was Bong Soohee plotting this time?

“If you go to Dongmyo, clothes are dirt cheap.”

“Dongmyo…?”

“Yeah, yeah. Since you’re campaigning around Seoul anyway, let’s stop by Dongmyo. You can wear something fancy to the Young Quiz shoot.”

Dongmyo!

The heart of South Korea’s vintage market!

A fashion mecca for stylish elders!

But to buy clothes there…?

Bong Soohee, you villain! Are you trying to tarnish my chic fashion philosophy?!

“Director Ping, Director Ping! Then… Can I choose my own clothes?”

What?

You want to choose your own clothes?

With your questionable fashion sense that could pick a princess dress from a mainstream SPA brand…?!

Bong Soohee! If you have a shred of decency, stop this madness!!!

“Of course, Jiwooping. Buy whatever you want.”

“Yay!”

Nooooo!!!