Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Facing the Media Storm
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Just a few days.
Kang Hyun's interview article had sparked more than enough of a reaction.
No, it was beyond that.
In fact, if it had been anyone else, the interview might have passed by lightly or been buried altogether.
But it was Kang Hyun.
There were plenty of people with a huge interest in him, and many who reacted sensitively even to his smallest moves. He even had a modest fandom that followed him around.
As a result, the choice he mentioned in the interview quickly rode the waves of SNS like a massive swell, followed by a string of follow-up articles.
Community comment sections overflowed with evaluations of every single statement from his interview, filled with praise and acclaim, doubts and concerns, like a popcorn-fest.
Most people thought he had every right to do it.
The psychology of looking up to someone who's doing well, someone successful, and hoping they do even better.
Like cheering for a national hero, the public followed and supported Kang Hyun.
On the flip side, there were those saying he was heading down the wrong path this time.
The position of Korea University Student Council President was seen as a deeply political realm, with shadowy power brokers and layers of intertwined interests.
And rumors flew like arrows aimed at him, claiming ties to political parties.
Ring ring! Ring ring!
"Yes, this is the student council."
"Yes, we have no connection whatsoever to the current Student Council President under criminal indictment."
"Our Law School student council can't speak on behalf of Kang Hyun's candidacy intentions."
The Law School student council office was flooded with inquiries about Kang Hyun's run, phones ringing off the hook.
Truth be told, Kang Hyun himself was the most surprised. He hadn't realized there was this much interest in him, or that his decision could cause such a ripple.
Late afternoon.
More precisely, the time when Kang Hyun had finished class with Yoon Chan-rim and was heading home.
"Hyung."
"Yeah?"
"Isn't that a bit much?"
In front of the Law School building, people were camped out waiting. Surprisingly, they were reporters and staff from various news outlets, newspapers, and magazines.
They were gunning for Kang Hyun, waiting for even a scrap of info, some issue or controversy, any word from him.
"Sigh. I'll go talk to them first."
Kang Hyun swallowed hard at the sight of all those waiting cameras but strode forward confidently.
He didn't want to hide his face from the shutter storm like some criminal, or slink away shamefully.
And he couldn't just hole up in the building forever.
"..."
As Kang Hyun slowly stepped forward, Yoon Chan-rim stuck close like a bodyguard.
The reporters spotted him and went wild with shutters like he was some superstar.
Click! Click!
"Kang Hyun!"
"Kang Hyun-ssi! Just a word!"
"You declared your candidacy for Korea University Student Council President. What's your take?"
"One word!"
Reporters swarmed him in an instant.
No safety barriers here, no professional security to help.
"Hey, stop! Stop it! What are you doing!"
Yoon Chan-rim tried to push them back as they buried Kang Hyun, but it was no use.
It only fueled their frenzy.
"Whoa, he's falling."
"Careful, watch out!"
In the tangle of bodies, Kang Hyun finally felt it hit home.
One thing was clear: the Korea University Student Council President gig wasn't some class rep position.
And in a way, that satisfied him.
'The Student Council President spot... yeah, worth a shot.'
Breaking through adversity to claim victory was his specialty. And if he could get up there and change things, shake them up, even better.
It was the moment his resolve hardened even more.
"Enough."
Kang Hyun slowly raised his hand.
Whether it was his charisma or sheer coincidence.
Reporters nearest him backed off first, creating space for him to speak.
Click, click!
Amid the relentless shutter barrage—the first he'd ever faced—Kang Hyun let out a deep sigh and spoke into the cluster of mics.
"I'm running, yeah. No conspiracies, no political power struggles. Not forced into it. And no procedural or legal issues."
The moment he finished, the questions exploded. This was what they'd been waiting for.
"There's concern out there about you—genius Kang Hyun, perfect College Scholastic Ability Test scorer, rising star in law. What do you think?"
"What concerns?"
"Worries about dipping into politics."
"What are you talking about? Korea University Student Council President is politics how?"
Yoon Chan-rim bristled more than anyone at the reporter's words.
As he grabbed the reporter's arm, fuming, the reporter's face twisted, claws out.
Murmurs rose.
"Hold on."
Kang Hyun stepped in to shield Yoon Chan-rim from the brewing backlash.
"The activist image, the heavy political tint of the Student Council President role, rumors of politician connections—that's it, right?"
Reporters nodded, eyes lighting up in agreement.
Exactly.
For Kang Hyun, the Student Council President spot could be a suit that didn't fit his path.
The Business School clearly dominated it, and in a way, that was political—and dismantling it had irked the shadowy networks.
Conversely, his declaration to take it wasn't something the public could laugh off.
It was a position open to attacks from both sides—the one he was aiming for.
No wonder people were saying he should just study hard and become a fine lawyer.
"You know the concerns, so I'll ask: what's your view, Kang Hyun-ssi?"
"Fine by me."
"Pardon? Say that again."
"It's good. It's the path I wanted to explore."
"Good?"
Click! Click!
His words were enough to electrify the reporters.
One phrase from him left people stunned, unable to hold back their shock.
But Kang Hyun stayed calm.
He hadn't finished.
"The Student Council President role was originally apolitical, focused solely on student welfare and school progress. Now it's a cesspool of corruption."
"Cesspool?"
"Yes. To break that chain, I need to take the seat. I'll devote myself fully to restoring the Korea University Student Council President title to a position beyond reproach."
Click! Click!
Reporters were momentarily speechless.
Who declares in front of all these cameras that they'll smash the corruption chain?
"...Could you elaborate on the corruption?"
As one reporter thrust a mic forward, Kang Hyun continued smoothly.
"Look at the ousted former president, Yang Bo-hyun. The top student body of Korea's premier university—no, one vying for world-class status—flaunted its politics and corruption like a badge of honor."
"Whoa. Hyung, come on."
Yoon Chan-rim's eyes shook as he tugged Kang Hyun's waist.
But Kang Hyun grinned, calming him while whispering.
"It's part of the plan."
"...?"
This was the moment Kang Hyun had waited for.
To show the public his thoughts and will, challenge the big leagues formally. To live a regret-free college life that way.
Kang Hyun leaned back into the mics.
"Yang Bo-hyun, currently under criminal investigation, was transferred to the prosecutors yesterday."
"Transferred?"
"What's the outcome?"
"Details, please!"
Spotlight shifted.
They swarmed the new hook like a school of fish, questions flying.
Naturally, Kang Hyun's composure grew.
"I don't have specifics, but I'd appreciate your interest in rooting out that corruption."
As he turned to leave, shutters flashed endlessly.
Reporters yelled in shock.
"Details on former president Yang Bo-hyun's alleged crimes!"
"Do you see charges likely in both the false accusation and embezzlement cases?"
"How do you know?"
Kang Hyun toyed with the excited pack before responding.
"For details, since it's under Central District Prosecutors' Office jurisdiction, check their press room."
"Wait!"
"Hold up!"
Frustrated reporters called after him, but couldn't stop Kang Hyun from leaving.
Then one shouted a final question, and he turned back.
"One more! On your candidacy odds? Former president Yang Bo-hyun was elected after three years too!"
"Oh, that."
Kang Hyun faced them squarely.
"The Korea University Student Council President position has been vacant for 2 years and 6 months, excluding Yang Bo-hyun under investigation. The Business School pushed hard for their pick, but low turnout kept failing to hit quorum, nulling votes. We're coordinating closely with the interim department heads' council to boost turnout, extend voting—whatever it takes to ensure a proper election."
"Whoa!"
"This is real."
"He's really running."
Admiration, murmurs, and shouts mixed into chaos outside the building.
But after that exchange, no one rushed or shoved, so Kang Hyun left relatively smoothly.
His strategy worked—and with it, he officially declared his Student Council President run.
'Phew.'
He soothed his pounding heart, kept a relaxed face, and walked for a dozen minutes.
Trailing crowds thinned out one by one, his heartbeat finally easing.
Only after leaving campus, crossing the intersection, and reaching the subway did he and Yoon Chan-rim catch their breath.
"Hyung, you okay?"
"Yeah. Fine."
Yoon Chan-rim fretted verbally, but his eyes sparkled.
Kang Hyun, so at ease like this was routine. Face unchanging amid the cameras, like it was everyday.
He was smitten by that.
"Your face'll be all over the news again."
"Helps the campaign prep."
"Man, you're something. Need help, just say. Don't go solo."
"Got it."
Yoon Chan-rim looked thrilled that Kang Hyun was tackling something huge—and would nail it.
Then, as if struck by a thought, he asked.
"Hyung, this Student Council run."
"Yeah."
"Did you talk to noona?"
"Huh? Yoon Haneul?"
Her name out of nowhere made Kang Hyun pause.
For one, he and Yoon Haneul rarely discussed future plans or goals.
They'd charge into their own tasks fiercely, cheer from the sidelines, but never interfere—an unspoken rule.
But if this blew up this much in the media, turning the school upside down... should he have told her? The thought made his heart race again.
Plus, one more nagging worry.
The promise not to worry her.
It was recent...
If she heard suddenly, she'd be shocked.
"...Nah, not yet."
"You haven't?"
Yoon Chan-rim's tone probed like he'd messed up, so Kang Hyun scratched his head.