Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982

Some fiction books are purely imaginary, while some are loosely based on actual events. Only a few are jarring images of reality woven into the pages because they need to be told and retold for ages to come. Kim Jiyoung is a book based on the individual’s struggle from birth to becoming a mother. Most often, it doesn’t feel like Kim Jiyoung’s story alone, but it belongs to women in general who have been through hell.Kim Jiyoung, the second daughter of a three-children family, has witnessed prejudice since birth at home. Later, she navigates life through the social construct that expects women to be subservient and perfect. She is nonplussed to discover that motherhood is something she doesn’t have a say in and that a mother is expected to behave a certain way, as set by society.This book concentrates more on the Korean culture and the stigma and patriarchal standards set in the country. However, as a reader, I forgot that it was set in Korea because her story was very much palpable and resonated with me. I have heard of such women, seen some, and been one at certain points. And it hurts to accept that it doesn’t stop here and will continue in the future, too. But reading books like this is essential for people who have the privilege of not knowing what patriarchy is because that’s how we get enlightened.I especially loved the stress on work-life balance, the gender pay gap, and the problems of working mothers. It’s partly biographical and narrated like fiction, and the translation is commendable. The language might be monotonous, but the story isn’t, and it’s a must-read for everyone out there.

This short yet impactful read is the perfect remedy for a reading slump.The novel takes us through the life of Kim Jiyoung, from her childhood to adulthood, shedding light on the subtle and not-so-subtle gender discrimination that women face in their everyday lives.What truly resonated with me was how relatable this story is. Whether it's you or someone you know, the experiences in this book hit home. It makes you reflect on the world around us-has anything truly changed?I was both shocked and frustrated to discover how ingrained misogyny and patriarchal structures are-not just in India, but globally. This particular story is set in Korea, but its themes are universal.(The absence of faces on the compelling cover reflects the idea that Kim Jiyoung could be any woman)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Kim Jiyoung is me. Kim Jiyoung is almost every woman around me. Kim Jiyoung is the sum total of all the prejudices and hardships a woman has to endure in this patriarchal society!Set in Korea, this story is not unique per day. You might have read many stories talking about patriarchy, sexism and feminism. What is unique though is it’s backed up by statistical data from the country. Throughout this Novella, I didn’t feel like I was reading the experiences of Korean women and sexism and gender discrimination they face in day-to-day life — be it be their home, education or work environment — but rather my own and so many other women. The intensity might be different, but it is all there rooted in the society.I don’t have a brother, we are two sisters. And since childhood, I have seen the various reactions of people when they hear that there is no son. Like Jiyoung, I have seen the male members of the family getting the first servings, better things. It is not unusual and so deeply rooted that even I am ingrown in those customs.The things we hear in schools, the discrimination we face in the working environment, and the expectations of us as a mother, are all too well similar to that of Jiyoung. Sure we have come a long way as a country, but still we have such a long path ahead of us to travel.Jiyoung’s story is a cry for help, to make society understand the way it has been/is treating women. The ending brings the story to a full circle; it ended where it started. Cho Nam-Joo’s writing isn’t extraordinary per se, but it will enrage you and will make you see Jiyoung as yourself.Give this book to men in your lives, give this to your sons, give this to women, for it is a reflection of the society we live in and the work we still need to do to gain gender equality.#kimjiyoungborn1982 #koreanliterature #chonamjoo

“Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982” is a compelling and poignant exploration of gender inequality through the life of an ordinary woman. Cho Nam-Joo crafts a narrative that resonates deeply by tracing Kim Jiyoung’s experiences from her birth in 1982 to her struggles as an adult navigating a society rife with discrimination. The novel’s strength lies in its unflinching portrayal of the systemic barriers women face, told through Kim’s seemingly mundane yet profoundly impactful life. The simplicity of the writing contrasts sharply with the weight of the issues addressed, making it a powerful, eye-opening read that challenges readers to reflect on the pervasive nature of gender injustice.

I'd known of all the issues mentioned in the book. But it never really hits you as hard as when you see it lived out in gross exacting detail. And this book does it so well across a mere 160+ pages. And despite making me uncomfortable and squirm on every page, it never once did it in a way that made me want to put it away. It's brilliant. Women everywhere will relate. Men everywhere should read it.