The door clicked shut behind me, sealing me into a space that felt more like an interrogation chamber than an interview room.
Bright white lights blazed overhead, washing out everything in harsh, clinical brightness that made my eyes water.
I blinked rapidly, trying to adjust as I made my way to the single chair positioned dead center.
The temperature hit me immediately—several degrees colder than the holding room, raising goosebumps along my arms.
The chair's leather was ice against my back as I settled in, hands clasping together in my lap to stop their trembling.
Three cameras surrounded me like hawks, their red recording lights blinking steadily.
Beyond the wall of lights, I could make out a shadowy figure—the interviewer—but their features remained completely obscured.
Just a voice floating from the darkness.
"Han Jiwon," the disembodied voice began, warm and conversational despite the sterile setting. "Thank you for joining us."
