Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: Candidacy Announcement
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Fall had arrived.
The first season he'd faced since becoming a college student.
For some, it might be a leisurely time to wrap up the year while preparing for winter, but for Kang Hyun, it was time to sprint toward a perfect end to this busy semester.
Korea University Student Affairs Office.
Ding dong.
"Welcome. Are you a student or from outside?"
"I'm a student."
The staff member looked up at the sound of Kang Hyun's voice, and her eyes widened.
"Kang Hyun?"
"Oh, yes."
"Wow, I'm a fan!"
The staffer jumped up like she'd spotted a celebrity and extended her hand.
Kang Hyun shook it awkwardly out of embarrassment, then fumbled as he handed over a large brown envelope stuffed with documents. Her excitement visibly deflated.
"I'm here to apply for the Korea University Outstanding Talent Scholarship."
"Oh, uh. Really?"
She caught herself repeating "really?" like it was rude and straightened up before sitting back down.
Then, with a casual wave as if nothing had happened, she calmly pulled out the documents and said,
"Yes... proof of grades from the previous semester at the top 90th percentile or higher, recommendation from the department head. And..."
"Proof of being in the near-lowest income bracket."
At Kang Hyun's words, her gaze lingered briefly on the "Near-Lowest Income Bracket Certificate."
"Yes, yes. That's all confirmed. Thank you."
She smiled, but she'd hastily tucked away the documents just moments before.
Kang Hyun kept smiling politely to the end, but he couldn't hide the bitterness and discomfort that followed.
*Near-lowest income? You mean welfare recipient?*
*His family's poor, huh.*
*Hey, shh. Crazy? Be quiet.*
The whispers and piercing stares aimed at the back of his head were familiar by now.
He exited the building with calm composure, as if unbothered.
The campus outside buzzed with the start of the second semester. The weather was perfect—not too cold, not too hot—with a clear blue sky stretching high overhead.
"Whew. Done with that. Wonder how the review will go."
The outstanding talent scholarship Kang Hyun had applied for was targeted at the less fortunate.
Up to about three million won if approved in full. A sum worth enduring a bit of discomfort and embarrassment, so there was no reason for him not to go for it.
With tuition covered by internal scholarships and living expenses from student stipends, and all his part-time jobs wrapped up, this money would be a huge help.
Being poor.
It was an open secret that those who saw him only as a prodigy on track to dominate the legal world—a genius who knew everything—didn't know about.
Experts and the media seemed to treat his poverty like a "weakness," but he didn't care at all.
He was confident he could overcome it now.
What was the problem with proudly living and breathing freely?
It was a slight shame he couldn't flaunt his progress anywhere, but he knew better than anyone that he'd escape it someday—and that he had the power to do so. Whispers from others meant nothing.
Step by step.
Kang Hyun now headed straight for the Law Faculty building.
He attended university classes diligently as before, but no longer needed to overload on credits.
Dean Kim Jong-hwan and Professor Cheon Woong-jae had prepared early admission recommendations for law graduate school.
Checking the requirements for that track, Kang Hyun saw that completing an appropriate level of law courses by the end of his second year met the minimum.
The GPA threshold wasn't even that high—what mattered were qualitative factors, the "non-quantifiable specs" that couldn't be reduced to numbers.
Of course, Kang Hyun prepared everything meticulously anyway. Scholarships hung on every period, and there were plenty of eyes watching.
Classes started at ten or nine in the morning, ending between four and five. It was only now sinking in that he finally had time in the evenings to do something else.
Anyway, his first item on today's agenda was the student council office.
Far off, he spotted the silhouette of a woman waiting at his feet—no, for him—and he quickened his previously leisurely pace.
"Senior, good to see you."
"You punk, enjoy break?"
Waiting in front of the building was Dan Chorok.
"Hurry up, what're you doing? Senior's waiting, don't dawdle."
"I'm tired."
"What's up with you? You saying you're tired. Feeling off?"
"You okay in that getup, senior?"
"I'm doing the interview? Nah, you are."
"You look tired too, senior."
"Yeah, I'm on low battery right now. Super exhausted, so handle it yourself and send 'em off."
Dan Chorok was in wide training pants, a tight thin long-sleeve top, and a cap pulled low over her hollow eyes as she waited for Kang Hyun.
"Everything ready?"
"Dunno."
"Take it easy. It's a long haul anyway."
"Already treating me like an old fogey?"
Dan Chorok had started thumbing through books to prep for the judicial exam. Knowing this, Kang Hyun voiced his concern.
She propped her hands on her hips and smacked his shoulder—thwack—then, seeing him dawdle, pushed his back to usher him inside.
The door swung open.
People who'd been waiting rose to greet them.
Two men in casual clothes.
Kang Hyun approached the now-familiar one and extended his hand.
"Been well?"
"Ugh, finally here. Rare sight."
"Hello!"
One was a relaxed middle-aged guy, Jeong Eun-seong from Seoul Ilbo. The younger-looking man seemed to be his assistant.
Kang Hyun greeted them with a faint smile.
"You've had it tough."
"Nice to meet you! I'm Lee Chan-woong, handling the interview with you this time, Kang Hyun."
"I pulled strings big-time for this. The article on your approved paper will be killer. Right?"
"Of course! You bet!"
Kang Hyun sat with a smile, and Jeong Eun-seong, still mid-conversation with Dan Chorok, turned to ask,
"President Dan, we good wrapping up the student council stuff as discussed?"
"Yes, please take care of it."
"I'm the grateful one. Ah, but you're student council president of the same department—sit here?"
"No thanks. Have a good interview."
Dan Chorok squeezed out one last bit of patience, speaking in a totally different, polite tone from her voice toward Kang Hyun, then promptly left.
"Alright then."
Seats settled, Jeong Eun-seong clapped once and scanned the room.
Kang Hyun waited silently, and all eyes shifted to the rookie reporter, Lee Chan-woong.
"Huh? Oh! Yes! Shall we start the interview, Kang Hyun?"
"Yes, sounds good."
"Truly, truly thank you! Getting my first exclusive—no, conducting the interview—is an honor. So many around me draw strength and courage from your feats. Me too. Huge fan."
He seemed a bit nervous.
"Could you start with thoughts on the paper? As a first-year undergrad at Korea University, you made it into the top law journal—what's your take?"
"Thank you."
As questions began, Kang Hyun's responses flowed automatically.
From light queries to tougher ones demanding nuanced answers, he handled them with prepared ease.
"The main theme is 'Review of Key Practical Operations in Criminal Justice Systems,' with the subtopic 'Focusing on Domestic Cases for Victim Relief.' As the title says, it's a focused examination of domestic mechanisms for victim relief within the bounds of law."
"What specifics... I mean, what does it signify?"
"No earth-shattering ideas. But it analyzes judicial policies and directions domestically and abroad, identifies policy discussion points applicable here, and spotlights interest in the field. I covered three main points."
His speech flowed like water.
Usually, a young student on a paper sparks suspicions of "nepotism." No matter how smart, explanations fall flat.
But Kang Hyun was different.
Not some "lab errand boy," he grasped everything like a true participant.
Without even probing questions, let alone deep ones.
Unscripted, he covered all he wanted, even outlining future directions for legal academia.
Lee Chan-woong, expecting simple remarks and reflections, was dizzy.
His typing hand sped up to flying, sweat beading on his forehead.
Tap tap, tap!
As Jeong Eun-seong opened his mouth to pause, Lee Chan-woong slammed the final key like he'd conquered all and looked at Kang Hyun.
"Truly, thank you so much. As expected, Kang Hyun... you're the best."
"You're too kind."
"No, really amazing."
"...?"
"You explain with all these technical terms, but it just clicks."
Lee Chan-woong's thumbs-up right under his nose. The smooth, fun interview left Jeong Eun-seong and Kang Hyun smiling warmly.
"Finally, Kang Hyun. Any future plans? Keep it brief."
"Plans?"
"Yes. School life, career path, whatever."
"Hmm, one sec."
Kang Hyun pondered, and Lee Chan-woong looked up to him even more.
Such careful thought on future plans.
Attitude that didn't dismiss the interview. That's why.
But Kang Hyun's thoughts were far from that misunderstanding.
He was weighing whether to kick off this semester's plan right here.
After a silent moment, deeming it right to stick to script, he spoke.
"I'm planning to run for Korea University Student Council President in the upcoming by-election."
"Pardon?"
"Korea University Student Council President."
"Korea University Student Council President?"
Jeong Eun-seong, sitting beside, echoed in surprise.
The top spot at Korea's premier university wasn't easy.
Not some rural kindergarten class rep.
Just like the university president's pick made waves, so did the student council president's race.
Kang Hyun running for Korea University Student Council President.
It was the goal he'd mulled and prepped for this semester's start.
Of course, the hurdles were high.
In college, a year's difference is huge. No first-year had ever run—let alone won—for the position in history.
Yet here he was, a mere freshman, declaring for the now-vacant seat.
If elected in October's vote, he'd lead the student government from the vacancy period through next year's first semester, handing over in the fall second half.
A stunning, unforeseen choice.
"...Kang Hyun running for student council president?"
"Yes. Not a snap decision. Just pondering where to announce first."
"Wow."
Jeong Eun-seong suddenly stood, nudged Lee Chan-woong aside—thud thud.
"Uh, S-Senior?"
"My turn now, junior."
He sat opposite Kang Hyun and grabbed the laptop.
"This'll be fun. So, Kang Hyun. Care to elaborate?"