Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo

My Rating - 5 out of 5 stars

Publisher - Scribner

Genre - Fiction
Publishing year - 2016
Language - English
ISBN - 978-1-4711-8430-7
Pages - 163

Book Review - 

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo is the first book I have read by a Korean author, and it turned out to be a powerful, thought-provoking experience. Translated beautifully by Jamie Chang, this novel is not just fiction—it is a mirror held up to society, one that left me both moved and unsettled.

The story follows the life of Kim Jiyoung, an ordinary woman in South Korea. But "ordinary" doesn't mean simple. She is a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a daughter-in-law, a friend—and above all, a woman navigating a world that constantly diminishes her existence. 

Her experiences echo those of so many women around the world, including me. From being objectified during her school years to facing subtle and overt discrimination at work, and finally being expected to find fulfilment in domesticity, her life reflects the normalised injustices women endure.

One moment that particularly struck me was how her husband proudly claims to “help out” with childcare, as if parenting is not equally his responsibility. That phrasing, “help out,” feels so familiar and frustrating because it reveals how deeply gender roles are ingrained, even in supposedly modern households. It reminded me of countless real-life conversations and highlighted just how little the bar is set for men when it comes to shared duties.

I used to think South Korean women had more freedom and independence compared to women in India. This book challenged that perception completely. Though fictional, the novel incorporates real data and citations in its footnotes, exposing the systemic issues women in South Korea face—limited job opportunities, workplace harassment, societal expectations, and mental health struggles, especially post-childbirth. The realism behind the fiction is what makes the story hit so hard.

Told in a straightforward yet deeply affecting tone, the book traces Jiyoung’s life from childhood to the point where she quietly breaks down, suffering from mental illness triggered by years of suppressed pain and postnatal depression. 

It is haunting to see how her identity slowly erodes under the weight of expectation, and yet, the writing never becomes melodramatic or preachy. Cho Nam-Joo trusts the reader to sit with these truths and decide what to do with them.

Despite being short and fast-paced, the novel delivers an emotional punch that lingers long after the final page. The subtlety in the storytelling is masterful. It does not yell or demand; it simply lays bare the reality—and that, in itself, is a radical act.

It is a rare and essential read. It is one of those books that everyone, especially those who believe gender inequality is a thing of the past, should read at least once. It will change the way you see the world around you. I can not recommend it highly enough.

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