Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-joo

What is it about?

This is the story of a Korean woman who tries to break free from oppressive gender stereotypes.

OK, but what is it really about?

Kim Jiyoung - the Korean counterpart to Jane Doe - is 33, married and the mother of a one-year-old daughter and leads an ordinary life as an ordinary housewife. She has, as is the unwritten rule, given up her career for domestic existence. But lately, she has started to act very strangely, so her husband asks her to see a psychiatrist, who takes meticulous notes during their sessions.

Is it any good?

When I was in Jakarta last year in November for a 2-week visit, I wanted to watch a movie with my cousin; we had decided to see “Ford vs Ferrari” but showed up rather late to the movie theater, and so the tickets were sold out. The only other option was a Korean movie named “Kim Ji-young: Born 1982”, and we spontaneously decided to see this one instead. I didn’t know what to expect at all, but found myself strangely swept up by the melancholy, sadness and anger of the movie’s protagonist. It was only afterwards that I did a Google search about the film and learned that it was based on a novel, which was a sensation in Korea (it was initially published in 2016) and had quickly sold over a million copies, encouraging women to speak more openly about feminist issues and gender equality, and leading men to claim that the book incites misandry.

Chronicling the life of Kim Jiyoung from childhood to here and now, this book and its very sober tone reads like a case study. It provides a good look at structural inequality, discrimination and sexism in Korean society, beginning at a very young age and continuing to adulthood: Jiyoung’s brother gets his own umbrella, but she has to share one with her sister; at school, the boys are allowed to eat first; at college, she is harassed and has to endure victim-blaming by her father; at work, she is a diligent and smart employee but gets overlooked for promotion - simply because “that’s how it had always been.”

At only 162 pages, this is a rather quick read, though I will be honest: it took a while for me to get used to the clinical tone of the novel. But it is such a powerful way to convey the systemic oppression Jiyoung had to face throughout her life; it’s a constant struggle between the urge to stand up for herself and feeling helpless, unable to change things for the better.

It’s not easy to digest, but it doesn’t intend to nor should it be.

Most memorable quote?

“The world had changed a great deal, but the little rules, contracts and customs had not, which meant the world hadn’t actually changed at all.”

Conclusion?

This novel is as important as it is haunting, as convincing as it is frustrating. If nothing else, the fact that this book caused such a stir is a testament to its relevance. It gives a voice to the unheard. Society will not change overnight, but perhaps the next Kim Jiyoung, born in 2020, will see significant progress and grows into an independent, successful woman - be it as a mother, a wife or career girl.

AT A GLANCE

Title: Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982

Author: Cho Nam-joo

Published by: Simon & Schuster UK (2020)

Pages: 162

Language: English