The Honest Candidate

The naming style of "An Honest Candidate" instantly reminded me of "A Kind Sister-in-Law."

Whether in Southeast Asia or Northeast Asia, officials wield considerable power, and while capital is also significant, their influence is not overwhelming when facing the president. Especially in Southeast Asia, I recommend reading the book "Asian Godfathers," which argues that capital is dependent on power, not the other way around.

What were you thinking, choosing the name Guo Dahai? I'm totally baffled.

In South Korean politics, his name is Guo Dahai.

The South Korean president wields considerable power. South Korea is a presidential system; any political purges are usually carried out by political opponents after the president leaves office. Furthermore, South Korean civic groups are very well-developed.

Interesting. Another book about South Korean politics! I remember reading one a few years ago where the protagonist was a prosecutor and the female lead was Seo Hyun. That book was quite good; I thought the perspective was refreshing.

Well, to be honest, while the political tactics used in the early parts of the book were a bit naive, it's still a rare gem in depicting the politics of South Korean chaebols. However, a major disconnect is the portrayal of the chaebols' darkness, while many idols in the Korean entertainment industry are depicted as innocent, even harboring platonic feelings for politicians.

Why is the main character named Guo Dahai, such a silly name? It would be better to just call him Dahai.

Without giving the protagonist any special advantages, he seems a bit dim-witted. I really didn't see how smart the protagonist was, especially considering he was reborn in South Korea.

The protagonist is now a cabinet minister, so why would he still be thinking about staying single? Won't the people think he's unreliable? Can an unmarried young man do anything good for the people? It would be a waste to just give up on the two female leads who were so prominently featured earlier. Moreover, a good wife would be a great complement to the protagonist's political career, making the effect greater than the sum of its parts.