Kim walked into his office like a man in a fog, barely acknowledging the greetings of his staff. His shirt was creased, the buttons uneven. His face had lost its usual color, and his hair stuck up like he hadn’t touched a comb in days. The receptionist offered him a small smile and a polite “Good morning,” but he passed her without a word, his shoes heavy on the tile floor.

He entered his office and closed the door softly behind him. The blinds were down, dimming the sunlight that tried ...