By Ian Dani Kim (United States of America)
PLURAL+ 2024 RFC Recognition
An Asian American teenager grapples with depression and social anxiety, retreating into an imaginary room where he navigates his struggles. Since the onset of the pandemic, many teenagers have faced feelings of isolation, exacerbated by the xenophobia that emerged during this time. Even as the world begins to recover, this boy remains trapped in his psychological lockdown, unable to escape his depression.