the interviewer flicks to the next profile, tired eyes glancing at the information. 

"mae kyungmin, born june seventh nineteen ninety-six... nineteen ninety-six?" the interview rubs his eyes before sighing to himself. "damn kids thinking they're cooking geniuses just because they can cook something other than instant ramyeon... let's see... born and grew up in seoul- ha, explains the arrogance... korean....korean....only knows korean..." the interviewer's eyes widen. "a hundred and ninety-two centimetres?" he lets the bewilderness slowly ebb away before clearing his throat and yelling "next!"

a tall, lanky boy dressed in a round-necked, plain grey t-shirt and grey jeans appears at the doorway, head bowed down as he scrolls on his phone with his extraordinarily large hands. he looks up momentarily and almost slams his head on the door. apathetic eyes flick across the room and he slouches towards the chair, sitting down with a sigh, eyes again glued to his phone.

"so, mae kyungmin, tell us your occupation and current residence."

kyungmin arches a brow and has the urge to ask why he doesn't need to introduce himself as interviews usually go, but then notices that the interviewer is holding his profile. perks of being a giant.

"I'm a university student at seokyeong university, majoring in public administration. I live with my parent and younger sister. yes, parent."

the interviewer silently notes to himself that seokyeong is pretty low in university rankings and public administration is rarely a first choice. he deduces the male in front of him was never a good student.

"don't give me that look. I didn't study, yes." the interviewer blanches before regaining his posture. the younger male was intimidating, perhaps because of his height. or his acute cheekbones and intense gaze. which was now fixed on his phone again. "how you- would you- how would you describe yourself? I mean, your personality?"

"I like to think I'm introverted with a quick temper." his eyes continue to be glued to the screen of his phone as he slides down his seat and crosses his legs. the interviewer sighs loudly and waits.

and waits.

and waits.

"that's it?" the interviewer queries in disbelief. kyungmin looks up with a gaze so fierce the interviewer flinches. "could you please elaborate?" he has never said 'please' to an interviewee before.

"I don't like speaking and I show my emotions through actions more than facial expressions or words. I have a short fuse and can be described as violent. I have no qualms with hitting people. I don't like losing. I don't observe and jump headfirst into things. I'm shallow. I don't like people." his speaking pattern is stilted and filled with short sentences, and the interviewer is extremly uncomfortable. "anything positive about yourself?"

"no."

the interviewer clears his throat awkwardly. "not even one trait?" 

kyungmin rolls his eyes and yawns. "I'm independent." the interviewer nods eagerly. "...I'm prioritized. I'm practical. I treat everyone the same, regardless of social status." the interviewer lets a smile grace his face. "that's great! thank you. could you also tell us how you cope under stress?"

"my life is the manifestation of stress. I was born in it, molded by it-" a light grin flashes across kyungmin's face "I strive under it. I flourish with it."

 

"no." 

the interviewer sighs exasperatedly. "any significant life events?"

"june seventh nineteen ninety-six. I was born." he waves his hands in a mocking manner and glues his eyes back onto his phone. "anything else?" just what was so interesting on his phone?

"no. oh, my mom is dead." he states blatantly, his eyes still on his phone. "when I was five. car crash. I have no memory of her so there's no dramatic sob story for you to drum up for the ratings." he shrugs. "that's why I've been cooking since I was six. I started out with simple instant ramyeon for my dad and younger sister to cooking up traditional meals with side dishes. my younger sister loves my cooking so I went and added... more to my cooking. I suppose you could identify me as someone who specialises in fusion. korean fusion." kyungmin's eyes are away from his phone now as heseems to catch himself rambling and his ears redden slightly, to the interviewer's amusement. 

"how's your current lifestyle?" the interview is more relaxed after seeing the sparks in his eyes when the younger mentions his sister. 

"I live in an incredibly cramped 250 sq. feet apartment. my dad is the only one who works and the whole family scrimps and saves to get my university tuition together. my dad ate bread as lunch for months just to get me a smartphone. I want to drop out, but my dad won't let me. kyungri- my sister, is smart enough for a scholarship so we don't have to worry about her high school tuition." the interviewer notes that the male is speaking, comparatively, a lot when it comes to him and his family. "I don't have classes every day. I have a part time job as a waiter at a bbq restaurant. at home I cook and clean. my sister calls me a domestic god." the interviewer can't help a small laugh from escaping, but immediately tenses when kyungmin's steely gaze comes back.

"ahem. how do you feel about your current life?" 

"I've been the adult figure of the household since I was a kid so I'm used to it. I'm indifferent." kyungmin murmurs as he shifts uncomfortably.

"anything trivial that's relevant to the show?" 

"I actually signed up myself. kyungri laughed at me when I told her that. she still doesn't believe I'm serious." a mischievous glint appears in his eye. "can't wait till she sees me on television." noting the interviewer's confused expression, he sighs. "we have a television. it's old, thick, and is always fuzzy."

 

kyungmin sits up straight and stares straight into the camera.

"for the money."

he slumps back down. the interviewer can hear the cameraman's small sigh of relief.

"how blunt. how do you see yourself as a participant in the show?" 

"in all honesty I'm no professional. I might pass the first few episodes, but I'll probably be eliminated soon. but if I get my name out there hopefully I can get a job in a kitchen." he shrugs. "for my family."

 

"for your family. that's great, kyungmin-ssi. alright, thank you very much for taking time out from your schedule for this interview." 

"nice. thanks." kyungmin stands up abruptly, nearly knocking over the chair. his eyes are glued to his phone again and this time he really does slam his head on the doorway. he walks out without even wincing.

then the interviewer notices something.

the screen of the phone is blank and incredibly broken. cracks adorn the screen like vines and there is no way the phone could have worked.

the interview looks down with his pen poised. he writes one single word:

insecure.