Throughout both Eastern and Western history, there have been numerous cases of individuals rising to high public office through self-recommendation. During the Warring States period—the most chaotic era in Chinese history—it was common for itinerant persuaders to visit monarchs and feudal lords to recommend themselves for important positions. When the state of Qin attacked Zhao during the reign of King Huiwen of Zhao, the king attempted to send his brother Lord Pingyuan to Chu to request reinforcements. At this time, Mao Sui volunteered to join the diplomatic mission. When Lord Pingyuan rejected him, saying "A truly outstanding talent reveals himself naturally, like an awl in a pocket (nangzhongzhizhui)," Mao Sui persuaded him by responding, "If you put me in the pocket, I will pierce through immediately." Ultimately, Mao Sui convinced the King of Chu with his exceptional eloquence and was treated as an honored guest of Zhao. This is the origin of the idiom "Mao Sui's self-recommendation."
However, in dynastic states where monarchs ruled and the virtue of modesty was paramount, openly requesting public office could be an act that risked touching the dragon's reverse scale. For this reason, the typical form of self-recommendation was for subjects to submit memorials or strategies to the monarch, subtly emphasizing their own capabilities and roles. A prime example is Zhuge Liang presenting his "Strategy of the Three Kingdoms" to Liu Bei, who had visited him three times during the era of Wei, Shu, and Wu. Niccolò Machiavelli dedicating "The Prince" to the Medici family, the supreme rulers of Florence, falls in a similar context. Wang Anshi of the Song Dynasty submitted political reform proposals during Emperor Renzong's reign but received little attention, only entering the core of power after the young 19-year-old Emperor Shenzong ascended to the throne. Korea also introduced a self-recommendation system during the reign of King Seongjong of Goryeo to allow capable individuals to nominate themselves. However, as the civil service examination system became established, the original purpose of this system faded, and its limitations—such as inadequate verification procedures—became apparent, leading to its gradual disappearance.
Kim In-ho, the head of the Korea Forest Service, was dismissed from office after causing a drunk driving accident during the forest fire caution period. Director Kim drew criticism during the "Public Nomination System" introduced by the Lee Jae-myung administration when he nominated himself while highlighting his personal connections with President Lee. In today's complex society, "Mao Sui's self-recommendation" may be a more efficient method of recruiting talent than waiting for the "awl in the pocket" to reveal itself. However, it remains an unchanging truth that a person's abilities and vision matter more than the method of recruitment or personal ties to those in power.