The phrase ‘I’ll be back’ can be taken positively as a promise to return home in glory after succeeding, but it can also be a grim vow of revenge, meaning one will return after building up their strength. The similar expression ‘Just you wait!’ is rarely used in a positive sense; it carries a lingering grudge. It is often said that a person who merely says "just you wait" isn't truly frightening. However, there is also the concept of Gyeol-cho-bo-eun (repaying a debt of gratitude even after death), suggesting that one might return even from the grave to help or repay a favor.

Long ago, watching the film The Terminator (1984, 1991) left me in deep shock. It was a time when I had just begun taking an interest in artificial intelligence and was closely observing its rudimentary application, the 'expert system.' Becoming an expert requires long training, knowledge, and an accumulation of experience. However, the period during which such an expert can be utilized is short, making it inefficient. Thus, an expert system aims to capture a professional's knowledge and insight into a computer to be used 24 hours a day in their stead. Today, we have programs like AlphaGo, which surpassed human masters through deep learning, and IBM’s ‘Watson for Oncology,’ a diagnosis and prescription program. If a relentless, unkillable Terminator keeps pursuing us, how could we survive? It felt as if the end of humanity was near. My heart felt heavy. But then, who is that mountain of muscle, the Terminator? In the 1985 film Commando, he is a cool father who wipes out an entire army single-handedly to rescue his kidnapped daughter. That is Arnold Schwarzenegger. Looking at him makes me feel so frail and small.

An Austrian immigrant, Arnold Schwarzenegger gained popularity as a film star and served as the Governor of California for over seven years. Had he been born in the United States, his popularity might have led him to eye the presidency. Recently, he has received honorary doctorates from various universities. Just the other day, on March 30, I read his speech delivered at Ulster University’s Belfast campus in Northern Ireland, where he received an honorary doctorate. “Thank you so much. It is a great honor to be back here. Sixty years ago, in 1966, I came to Belfast as a 19-year-old bodybuilder… I never dreamed that 60 years later, I would return to receive an honorary doctorate. It is truly unbelievable.”

His speech was not long. He stated that the most important thing in life is to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and not to listen to the "naysayers." He said he always held a vision of becoming a bodybuilding champion and a movie star, and it came true. He added that the clearer the vision, the better. He also urged the students to study hard, as knowledge is the only thing that no one can take away from you. The students welcomed him by quoting his famous movie lines on placards: “Ulster, He’s back!” and in Spanish, “Hasta La Vista, Ulster,” which means 'See you later.'

To receive an honorary doctorate, one must have fitting achievements. The university awarded him the degree in recognition of his contributions to public service (his governorship), environmental protection (climate change response), and the arts (development of the film industry). In 2003, while his popularity was at its peak, the then-Governor of California, Gray Davis, lost public support due to an economic crisis and power shortages. Citizens initiated a 'recall election,' and Arnold, running as a Republican candidate with no political experience, won with 48% of the vote. His victory was driven by his mass popularity and his powerful message: “I’ve come to clean house.”

In 2006, he signed the 'Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32),' implementing the most leading-edge environmental policy in the US. He also launched the 'Strategic Growth Plan,' investing a massive budget to repair California’s aging roads, bridges, and water systems. Furthermore, he passed legislation to hand over redistricting to an independent commission to prevent gerrymandering—the practice of politicians drawing electoral districts to suit their own tastes. He also pushed through policies to significantly raise California’s minimum wage for the benefit of workers' rights.

Now 78 years old, he appears to be preparing for another movie. His cry of “I’ll be back!” seems as persistent as the Terminator himself. Where am I returning to?

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