Lighten up, Madam!

It is not hard to imagine President-elect Park Geun-hye working under pressure.
The presidential election campaign was grueling, requiring her to be a superwoman.
Now as a leader who will take office in two months’ time, Park is obviously feeling a great deal of responsibility to lead the nation on a prosperous path.

The level of her dedication could be glimpsed at from remarks she often made to the crowds during her campaign. “I have no sons, no daughters and no family. To me, you are my family. I will give everything I have to better your livelihood and see national prosperity.”

Appearing on a television talk show on the day after Park’s election, her campaign spokeswoman Cho Yoon-sun said, “President-elect Park has only one fifth of what I have in mood swings,” accentuating the 60-year-old former first daughter’s leadership quality of being calm under fire.

One good photo capturing Park in an openly happy moment was that carried on the front page of the vernacular JoongAng Ilbo when she visited her Saenuri Party office for a post-election thank-you speech.

Park had a big smile on her face with a mike and a piece of paper in her hand speaking to party members.

That smile was not one of a victor who has won after a vicious fight and indulged in the sense of self-righteousness.

It was a disarming smile that hinted at her readiness to embrace not just her supporters but also critics. The nation needs healing about a deep divide exposed during one of the most ideologically-charged elections.

Park had a memorable smile when she did the “horse dance” from Psy’s “Gangnam Style” during her campaign. She had her hands forward for the reins-holding part of the dance but she didn’t dance. It was a shy smile, making it look as if she was trying to decide whether to smile or not.

We the people want to see our leader set aside the burden of her job once in a while and to take it easy to show us that she does by having a hearty laugh in public.

It’s a national wish to see a happy leader. The Korea Times is showing a light-hearted photo essay to convey popular wishes for the president-elect. <The Korea Times/Oh Young-jin>