Chapter 89

89. Frontal Assault

"Yes, these five outstanding students will be competing for the title of High School Quiz King this week."

"Yes, we have a very special guest today?"

The male and female MCs looked at Jinhyuk with pleased expressions.

"Jinhyuk Woo, who played the role of Hong Gil-dong in the recently concluded KBC drama '2012 Hong Gil-dong,' is with us today."

The MC had a brief conversation with Jinhyuk and then added an explanation about the celebrity guest appearance.

"Well, the best score among our celebrity guests so far was achieved by Ahn Yena, a member of the girl group 'RoseBlack,' who placed second in the weekly rankings."

Ahn Yena, the female lead of High School 2.

Despite being labeled as 'lazy,' she was still known as a 'genius,' and her academic performance was also excellent.

Moreover, at that time, Ahn Yena was quite enthusiastic as a newcomer and worked hard on solving the problems, unlike other guests.

The result was second place. Unfortunately, only the weekly first-place winner gets the chance to compete in the monthly Quiz King stage.

'Thinking about how close she was then... Ah.'

The PD still felt a pang of regret when he thought about it. If Ahn Yena had come in first, they could have had her appear in the monthly Quiz King stage again.

Although he felt sorry for the first-place winner, that was his honest feeling.

It was such a hot topic that the ratings jumped by nearly 2% with just one appearance. As a PD, he couldn't help but feel regretful for missing the opportunity to have her appear again.

Of course, for 'RoseBlack,' who had a busy schedule due to their sudden rise in popularity, it was a stroke of luck that Ahn Yena didn't make it.

"Well, let's see if our Jinhyuk Woo can break that record."

If Jinhyuk wins the weekly first place today, he will advance to the monthly Quiz King stage.

If he wins there, he will secure a semester's tuition and advance to the Grand Quiz King stage.

The student who wins the Grand Quiz King stage will receive a full four-year scholarship, and the second-place winner will receive a two-year scholarship.

Of course, the current Jinhyuk doesn't really need the tuition, but it's a different matter for the PD.

'If he can just get first place in the weekly...’

The PD silently prayed.

Still, he must have had some confidence to volunteer to appear, right?

He would definitely be different from the other guests who were reluctantly persuaded to appear.

But just because he's confident doesn't mean he'll definitely win. If everyone who was confident won, who wouldn't win?

Even though only five people are competing, it's a stage where the best students from their schools are pitted against each other.

'Phew. Please do well.'

He hoped for a miracle that would allow Jinhyuk to win the weekly first place and appear again.

If not Jinhyuk, when would they have another chance to bring such a big star to this studio?

"Well, let's start with the first question."

As the MC spoke, a sense of tension began to fill the studio.

"By the philosopher Thomas Hobbes, a representative work that...”

Beep!

As soon as the question started, Jinhyuk pressed the buzzer.

"Yes, Jinhyuk Woo. What's the answer?"

"Leviathan."

Ding dong.

"Yes, that's correct."

Everyone's eyes widened, and the audience buzzed.

"Wow. Amazing."

"What, he answered before even hearing the question."

Just as the next question was about to start,

"Wait a moment."

The PD stopped the recording.

"Since the answer came too quickly, we need to do it again. Since Jinhyuk got it right, we'll read the entire question, show the reference screen, and then have Jinhyuk press the buzzer again."

To ensure the TV broadcast looks good, it's a common practice to redo the scene if the answer comes too quickly.

While it's not an uncommon occurrence, starting with an actor like Jinhyuk made the PD feel even more excited.

'Is he really going to win? Please...’

The PD silently cheered again.

Although a small mishap happened at the beginning, it was just the start.

Beep!

"Yes, Jinhyuk. That's correct."

Beep!

"Yes, Jinhyuk. That's correct."

...

"The next question is in English. Listen to the conversation between native speakers..."

Beep!

"Yes, Jinhyuk. That's correct."

The MC, production staff, other contestants, and the audience all had their mouths agape.

Final score: 1st place Jinhyuk 730 points, 2nd place 320 points, a staggering 410-point difference.

While Jinhyuk was indeed more knowledgeable than the other students, the main reason for this overwhelming difference was his lightning-fast reflexes.

In a way, Jinhyuk was perfectly suited for this kind of quiz show.

'What is this...’

The PD was so stunned that he couldn't even celebrate. Despite his long-awaited victory for Jinhyuk.

"The winner of the third week of March 'Challenge, High School Quiz King' is Jinhyuk Woo from Myeongseong High School, 3rd grade!"

"Wow!"

As the audience erupted in cheers, the PD finally came to his senses.

"Ugh!"

He clamped his mouth shut, feeling tears welling up.

Jinhyuk will appear again.

The world... is still worth living!

***

"Ahem..."

As Chairman Yun Chung-gi of the KJ Group entered the large living room, the butler approached as if he had been waiting.

"Chairman, I'll bring the tea."

The chairman sat on the sofa without much reaction, and the assistant headed to the kitchen to prepare the tea as usual.

Yun Chung-gi.

The second-generation chairman of the KJ Group, which ranks in the top 10 in the business world, and the current honorary chairman. In other words, Min Seo-yeon's maternal grandfather.

The chairman looked at the TV that was already on, as he always did at this time.

Although the chairman rarely watched TV, there was one program he never missed, barring any special circumstances, for 40 years.

"Challenge, High School Quiz King."

The reason he had a deep attachment to this program was simple: he started it.

In the early 1970s, when 'Geumjeong Trading Company,' the predecessor of the KJ Group, barely made it into the top 100 companies.

It was around the time when Chairman Yun Chung-gi, as the second-generation leader, was just starting his formal career after succeeding his father, the founder.

The KJ family had a great sense of pride as descendants of independence activists.

As the company became more stable and the second-generation leadership system was established, Yun Chung-gi wanted to show the world that KJ was a company for the country and its people, a company that nurtures talent.

Under this philosophy, "Challenge, High School Quiz King" was created with 100% sponsorship from Geumjeong Trading Company.

The fact that many of the talents who received college tuition through "Challenge, High School Quiz King" have become prominent figures in South Korea today is a great source of pride for Yun Chung-gi.

Moreover, since the program started, the company has grown and grown, becoming one of the top 10 companies in the business world today.

Of course, it's not because of "Challenge, High School Quiz King," but to the chairman, the program is a symbol of good fortune.

The reason the program, which has a 3% rating, has not been canceled and continues to be broadcast is that the KJ Group still fully sponsors it.

"Is that boy appearing today?"

"Yes, Chairman."

The chairman, who watched "2012 Hong Gil-dong" because of his granddaughter Min Seo-yeon, knew about the actor Jinhyuk Woo.

"He's a good kid. He has spirit."

The chairman knew how popular "2012 Hong Gil-dong" was and what Jinhyuk's current status was.

He also knew that there was no reason for such a top actor to appear on "Challenge, High School Quiz King."

But the fact that he volunteered to appear...

Indeed, he's a young man who understands the romance and spirit of youth.

"Let's see if his skills match his spirit."

"Challenge, High School Quiz King" is a place where only skills, not fame or spirit, determine the winner.

"Wow, that boy is busy, yet he's here."

As the camera focused on Seo-yeon, Chairman Yun Chung-gi said,

"He must have become close to the actor while filming the drama. She's even here to cheer him on."

"But, they've been in the same class for all three years of high school."

"Huh?"

The butler smiled and said,

"I mentioned they were in the same class last time."

"Oh, did I?"

"They are in the same class again this year as seniors."

"Oh... So, could it be that...?"

Chairman Yun Chung-gi suddenly seemed to remember something.

"Hehe. Did Seo-yeon ask that boy to appear? Does he know that I like this program?"

"..."

"Boy, if you wanted to appear, why did you ask a friend? Does Jinhyuk do well in school?"

The butler, who knew Jinhyuk's grades well, held back his thoughts. It would be more exciting for the chairman not to know.

"He seems to do pretty well."

"Really? With that appearance, acting, and now good grades. He's quite impressive."

The chairman nodded and waved his hand.

"Let's start. Start."

The first question began.

"A comprehensive theory on nature, humans, politics, and religion by the philosopher Thomas Hobbes. In this book, Hobbes defines the natural state of humans as 'a war of all against all'..."

Due to Jinhyuk's quick answer, the scene was re-recorded. Jinhyuk calmly pressed the buzzer and answered correctly.

"Yes, Jinhyuk. That's correct."

Chairman Yun Chung-gi slapped his knee.

"Oh, that boy is quite something."

And a short while later, he slapped his knee again.

"Oh..."

Another slap.

"Oh..."

After a while, Yun Chung-gi stopped slapping his knee. It was too painful from doing it so often.

"What is this...?"

Chairman Yun Chung-gi looked at the butler, amazed by Jinhyuk's overwhelming score.

"When was the last time there was such a big score difference?"

"I don't remember."

"Wow, what is this? Did they give him some kind of advantage because he's a famous actor?"

Chairman Yun Chung-gi knew better than anyone that such a thing was impossible.

In the fierce 70s and 80s, even the children of powerful military leaders never received such advantages.

If such a thing happened, he would threaten to cut off sponsorship and even sue for damage to the company's image.

Of course, he always sent staff to carefully monitor the recording site.

"If that boy becomes the monthly Quiz King, I should treat him to a meal. It would be nice to watch it with Seo-yeon."

"Yes, I'll make the arrangements."

Just as the chairman was about to get up with a pleased expression, he asked,

"Has that boy appeared in any of our company's commercials?"

"Not yet, as far as I know."

"Let's do one. The best one. He's probably expensive, but the prize for the weekly Quiz King should cover it."

"Yes, I'll inform the secretary's office."

The chairman nodded.

He felt very good. It had been a long time since he saw a young man with the romance, spirit, and skills of youth.

***

- Wow! Amazing! Amazing! Is Jinhyuk Woo really the Quiz King?

└ Wow~ I thought he was just there to eat the show. He really came to win.

- Meanwhile, Yeon Se-rin is so beautiful.

└ I like Min Seo-yeon.

└ Yeon Se-rin.

└ Min Seo-yeon.

└ Stop it. Let's just say Min Seo-yeon.

└ Yeon Se-rin.

- Jinhyuk, you don't have to be smart. Your existence is enough. Conclusion: I love you.

- I'm a high school student. I just found out about this program. It's more fun than I thought.

The comment section was flooded, and the production team, including the PD of "Challenge, High School Quiz King," were scrolling through their smartphones with delighted expressions.

"Wow, how long has it been since we saw this many posts?"

"Indeed."

"I have the ratings report."

As the junior writer spoke, everyone's faces showed a mix of tension and anticipation.

"Let's see it boldly."

What were the ratings?

"..."

"..."

Everyone doubted their own eyes.

"Seven point five percent?!"

It was exactly double the usual ratings. Even higher by 2% than when Ahn Yena appeared, which was the highest rating they ever had.

"Wow..."

Some of the production staff were in tears. It was a rating that was hard to increase by even 1% no matter how hard they tried.

The PD's heart was pounding.

Just the news of his appearance had this effect. But winning the championship created even more buzz.

- Actor Jinhyuk Woo. "Challenge, High School Quiz King" Weekly Quiz King with an overwhelming score difference.

- Turns out he's a model student? "2012 Hong Gil-dong" star Jinhyuk Woo wins "Challenge, High School Quiz King" with overwhelming skills.

- Actor Jinhyuk Woo's appearance on KBC "Challenge, High School Quiz King" becomes a hot topic. Is it a signal of a return to past glory?

"Challenge, High School Quiz King" hasn't been featured in so many news articles since the early 1990s.

Then... what kind of ratings will the next monthly Quiz King stage bring?

"Ugh"

The PD clamped his mouth shut.

But as they say, good things come with bad.

An unexpected problem arose.

- But, isn't it a bit strange? Too overwhelming.

└ Favoritism?

└ From the production team's perspective, having Jinhyuk appear again would be great. It's definitely possible.

- I knew this would happen. How can it be fair to have a celebrity compete with regular students?

└ Agreed.

Public doubts about the fairness of the competition began to rise. The overwhelming performance was the problem.

"But, if it's too overwhelming, it's a problem, right? Just think about it, would they make it so obviously obvious if they were rigging it?"

"Public opinion isn't always rational."

The PR manager looked at Jinhyuk and said,

"Jinhyuk, don't worry too much. It will die down soon."

Manager Kim Yong-soo, who had a serious expression, said,

"Can't we just go for a frontal assault?"

"Frontal assault?"

"Let's reveal Jinhyuk's report card."

Kim Yong-soo, who knew better than anyone how Jinhyuk studied and what kind of grades he got, found it especially hard to bear that Jinhyuk's hard work was being misunderstood.

The PR manager shook his head.

"Jinhyuk is a senior. We know his grades are good, but too much attention could put a lot of pressure on his college entrance exams."

Jinhyuk, who had been listening, said,

"I don't really feel pressured by that. If I get in, I get in; if I don't, I don't. If revealing the report card clears up the misunderstanding, we can do it."

"Hmm..."

After a heated discussion within the PR department,

Jinhyuk's report card was finally revealed.

The latest national mock exam.

First place in all subjects in his class. First place in his grade. 99.9% percentile nationally. All A+ grades.

The entire SNS and community boards were in an uproar.