Jeongwaja Ep.87: “Jeongwaja’s Student Council Bid (feat. aespa)” — A Satirical Take on Campus Politics

In episode 87 of Jeongwaja by OOTB Studio, the show dials up the satire as it explores the quirky and chaotic world of university politics at Hongik University. With Jeongwaja himself—played by Kim Jong In (KAI)—taking center stage, the episode asks: What would it look like if he ran for student council president?

A Bold Declaration

KAI tosses aside his idol persona and fully embraces his Jeongwaja variety alter ego by launching a mock campaign for student council president. With a crisp outfit (that raises a few eyebrows for being too short), he makes his entrance in the student plaza, donning the signature student leader armband like a badge of honor.

The Over-the-Top Promises

In classic parody style, Jeongwaja rolls out a platform of wild and unfeasible pledges:

• Tuition-free education
• Complimentary school meals
• Campus festival appearances by SM Entertainment artists like aespa and Red Velvet

Of course, these outlandish promises are met with confusion, disbelief, and laughter from real students. When pressed on how he plans to fund such extravagance, his cheeky response is: “I’ll figure it out once I win.”

A Dose of Reality

The episode doesn’t shy away from giving Jeongwaja a reality check. He interviews genuine students and runs into Kang Hyun Seok, who provides a stark reminder of past student council controversies—like hidden deals and misused festival budgets. This layer of satire shines a light on the gap between idealistic campaigns and what actually happens behind closed doors.

Inside the Student Council

Jeongwaja eventually stumbles into the real Hongik University student council office, a surprisingly professional space divided into teams like Media, Finance, and Culture Planning. He discovers that the Culture Planning Department chooses festival performers and sits in on a round of mock auditions. Naturally, he pitches a group called “Kaizer” performing his song “Mmmh”—and unsurprisingly, it passes with flying colors.

aespa, Mass Appeal, and Meta Humor

Throughout the episode, Jeongwaja keeps dropping aespa’s name like a golden ticket, using their fame as a campaign trump card. Interestingly, when he introduces himself as KAI, the crowd is indifferent. But when he mentions aespa, the excitement surges. It’s a sly, tongue-in-cheek comment on the power of idol fandom in swaying public interest—even in mock student elections.

Highlights and Underlying Commentary

• Mockery of student elections: The episode satirizes exaggerated campaign pledges and popularity contests disguised as leadership races.
• Celebrity value: KAI uses his real-life fame, only to see his Jeongwaja persona fall flat—highlighting how unpredictable public reception can be.
• Festival management insights: We get a look at the actual logistics behind university festivals—auditions, review processes, and team planning.

Conclusion

Episode 87 of Jeongwaja expertly blends real student interactions, institutional structure, and zany comedy to present a hilariously sharp critique of popularity-driven politics. While the surface is all laughs—thanks to KAI’s dry delivery and overblown pledges—the episode also delivers thoughtful commentary on how charisma and spectacle often outweigh substance in leadership settings.